dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Biden claims 9 Super Tuesday victories, including Texas. Sanders wins in California.

WASHINGTON -- A resurgent Joe Biden scored victories from Texas to Massachusetts on Super Tuesday , revitalizing a presidential bid that was teetering on the edge of disaster just days earlier .
But his rival Bernie Sanders seized the biggest prize with a win in California that ensured he -- and his embrace of democratic socialism -- would drive the Democrats ' nomination fight for the foreseeable future .
And suddenly , the Democratic Party 's presidential field , which featured more than a half-dozen candidates a week ago , transformed into a two-man contest .
Biden and Sanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America 's future , were battling for delegates as 14 states and one U.S. territory held a series of high-stakes elections that marked the most significant day of voting in the party 's 2020 presidential nomination fight .
It could take weeks -- or months -- for the party to pick one of them to take on President Donald Trump in the November general election .
But the new contours of the fight between Biden and Sanders crystallized as the former vice president and the three-term Vermont senator spoke to each other from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country Tuesday night .
`` People are talking about a revolution .
We started a movement , '' Biden said in Los Angeles , knocking one of Sanders ' signature lines .
Without citing his surging rival by name , Sanders swiped at Biden from Burlington , Vermont .
`` You can not beat Trump with the same-old , same-old kind of politics , '' Sanders declared , ticking down a list of past policy differences with Biden on Social Security , trade and military force .
`` This will become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's victories were powered by Democratic voters who broke his way just days before casting their ballots -- a wave of late momentum that scrambled the race in a matter of hours .
In some states , the late-deciders made up roughly half of all voters , according to AP VoteCast , surveys of voters in several state primaries .
He drew support from a broad coalition of moderates and conservatives , African Americans and voters older than 45 .
Sanders ' success proved he could deliver in perhaps the greatest test of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was built on a base of energized liberals , young people and Latinos .
But he was unable to sufficiently widen his appeal to older voters and college graduates who make up a sizable share of Democratic voters , according to AP VoteCast .
The other two high-profile candidates still in the shrinking Democratic field , New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , were teetering on the edge of viability .
Warren finished in an embarrassing third place in her home state , and Bloomberg planned to reassess his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half-billion dollars to score one victory -- in American Samoa .
The balance of Super Tuesday 's battlefield -- with Biden winning at least eight states and Sanders four -- raised questions about whether the Democratic primary contest would stretch all the way to the July convention or be decided much sooner .
Biden 's strong finish punctuated a dramatic turnaround in the span of just three days when he leveraged a blowout victory in South Carolina to score sweeping victories on Tuesday that transcended geography , class and race .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cemented his status as the standard-bearer for the Democrats ' establishment wing .
The former vice president showed strength in the Northeast with a victory in Massachusetts .
He won delegate-rich Texas in the Southwest , Minnesota in the upper Midwest and finished on top across the South in Virginia , Alabama , North Carolina , Tennessee and Arkansas -- in addition to Oklahoma .
Sanders opened the night as the undisputed Democratic front-runner and was in a position to claim an insurmountable delegate lead .
And while he scored the night 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just three other decisive victories , winning his home state of Vermont , along with Utah and Colorado .
Biden racked up his victories despite being dramatically outspent and out-staffed .
Moderate rival Bloomberg , for example , poured more than $ 12 million into television advertising in Virginia , while Biden spent less than $ 200,000 .
The Democratic race has shifted dramatically as Biden capitalized on his commanding South Carolina victory to persuade anxious establishment allies to rally behind his campaign .
Former rivals Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg abruptly ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Super Tuesday and endorsed Biden .
In Biden and Sanders , Democrats have a stark choice in what kind of candidate they want to run against Trump .
Sanders is a 78-year-old democratic socialist who relies on an energized coalition of his party 's far-left flank that embraces his longtime fight to transform the nation 's political and economic systems .
Biden is a 77-year-old lifelong leader of his party 's Washington establishment who emphasizes a more pragmatic approach to core policy issues like health care and climate change .
Across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about Sanders ' claims that he is growing his support from his failed 2016 presidential bid .
Biden bested him in Oklahoma , though Sanders won the state against Hillary Clinton four years ago .
In Virginia , where Democratic turnout this year surpassed 2016 's numbers by more than 500,000 votes , Sanders ' vote share dropped significantly .
And in Tennessee , Democratic turnout was up more than 30 % from 2016 , but Sanders ' raw vote total was only a few hundred votes greater than four years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look beyond the primary to the November election against Trump , who racked up easy victories in lightly contested Republican primaries across the country .
`` We have the resources to beat Trump in swing states that Democrats lost in 2016 , '' Bloomberg said Tuesday night while campaigning in Florida .
The billionaire former New York mayor , who threw more than a half a billion dollars into the Super Tuesday states , will reassess his campaign on Wednesday , according to a person close to his operation who spoke on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Warren was also fighting to be optimistic .
Facing a roaring crowd in Michigan before news of her disappointing home-state finish was announced , she called on her supporters to ignore the political pundits and predictions as her advisers insist she 's willing to go all the way to a contested convention in July even if she does n't claim an outright victory anywhere .
`` Here 's my advice : Cast a vote that will make you proud .
Cast a vote from your heart , '' Warren declared .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you do n't fight for .
I am in this fight . ''
With votes still being counted across the country , The Associated Press has allocated 453 delegates to Biden , 382 to Sanders , 50 to Warren , 44 to Bloomberg and one for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard .
The numbers are expected to shift as new states report their numbers and as some candidates hover around the 15 % vote threshold they must hit to earn delegates .
The ultimate nominee must claim 1,991 delegates , which is a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary season .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Brian Slodysko in Washington and Kathleen Ronayne in Los Angeles contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , `` Ground Game . ''

Biden claims 9 Super Tuesday victories, including Texas. Sanders wins in California.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, accompanied by his wife, Jane O'Meara Sanders, and other family members, speaks Tuesday during a primary night election rally in Essex Junction, Vermont. Associated Press
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, accompanied by his wife, Jill, Tuesday during a primary election night rally in Los Angeles. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- A resurgent Joe Biden scored victories from Texas to Massachusetts on Super Tuesday, revitalizing a presidential bid that was teetering on the edge of disaster just days earlier. But his rival Bernie Sanders seized the biggest prize with a win in California that ensured he -- and his embrace of democratic socialism -- would drive the Democrats' nomination fight for the foreseeable future.
And suddenly, the Democratic Party's presidential field, which featured more than a half-dozen candidates a week ago, transformed into a two-man contest.
Biden and Sanders, lifelong politicians with starkly different visions for America's future, were battling for delegates as 14 states and one U.S. territory held a series of high-stakes elections that marked the most significant day of voting in the party's 2020 presidential nomination fight.
It could take weeks -- or months -- for the party to pick one of them to take on President Donald Trump in the November general election. But the new contours of the fight between Biden and Sanders crystallized as the former vice president and the three-term Vermont senator spoke to each other from dueling victory speeches delivered from opposite ends of the country Tuesday night.
"People are talking about a revolution. We started a movement," Biden said in Los Angeles, knocking one of Sanders' signature lines.
Without citing his surging rival by name, Sanders swiped at Biden from Burlington, Vermont.
"You cannot beat Trump with the same-old, same-old kind of politics," Sanders declared, ticking down a list of past policy differences with Biden on Social Security, trade and military force. "This will become a contrast in ideas."
Biden's victories were powered by Democratic voters who broke his way just days before casting their ballots -- a wave of late momentum that scrambled the race in a matter of hours. In some states, the late-deciders made up roughly half of all voters, according to AP VoteCast, surveys of voters in several state primaries. He drew support from a broad coalition of moderates and conservatives, African Americans and voters older than 45.
Sanders' success proved he could deliver in perhaps the greatest test of his decadeslong political career. His success was built on a base of energized liberals, young people and Latinos. But he was unable to sufficiently widen his appeal to older voters and college graduates who make up a sizable share of Democratic voters, according to AP VoteCast.
The other two high-profile candidates still in the shrinking Democratic field, New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, were teetering on the edge of viability. Warren finished in an embarrassing third place in her home state, and Bloomberg planned to reassess his candidacy on Wednesday after spending more than a half-billion dollars to score one victory -- in American Samoa.
The balance of Super Tuesday's battlefield -- with Biden winning at least eight states and Sanders four -- raised questions about whether the Democratic primary contest would stretch all the way to the July convention or be decided much sooner.
Biden's strong finish punctuated a dramatic turnaround in the span of just three days when he leveraged a blowout victory in South Carolina to score sweeping victories on Tuesday that transcended geography, class and race. And lest there be any doubt, he cemented his status as the standard-bearer for the Democrats' establishment wing.
The former vice president showed strength in the Northeast with a victory in Massachusetts. He won delegate-rich Texas in the Southwest, Minnesota in the upper Midwest and finished on top across the South in Virginia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas -- in addition to Oklahoma.
Sanders opened the night as the undisputed Democratic front-runner and was in a position to claim an insurmountable delegate lead. And while he scored the night's biggest delegate-prize in California, he scored just three other decisive victories, winning his home state of Vermont, along with Utah and Colorado.
Biden racked up his victories despite being dramatically outspent and out-staffed. Moderate rival Bloomberg, for example, poured more than $12 million into television advertising in Virginia, while Biden spent less than $200,000.
The Democratic race has shifted dramatically as Biden capitalized on his commanding South Carolina victory to persuade anxious establishment allies to rally behind his campaign. Former rivals Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg abruptly ended their campaigns in the days leading up to Super Tuesday and endorsed Biden.
In Biden and Sanders, Democrats have a stark choice in what kind of candidate they want to run against Trump.
Sanders is a 78-year-old democratic socialist who relies on an energized coalition of his party's far-left flank that embraces his longtime fight to transform the nation's political and economic systems. Biden is a 77-year-old lifelong leader of his party's Washington establishment who emphasizes a more pragmatic approach to core policy issues like health care and climate change.
Across the Super Tuesday states, there were early questions about Sanders' claims that he is growing his support from his failed 2016 presidential bid.
Biden bested him in Oklahoma, though Sanders won the state against Hillary Clinton four years ago. In Virginia, where Democratic turnout this year surpassed 2016's numbers by more than 500,000 votes, Sanders' vote share dropped significantly. And in Tennessee, Democratic turnout was up more than 30% from 2016, but Sanders' raw vote total was only a few hundred votes greater than four years ago.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg was trying to look beyond the primary to the November election against Trump, who racked up easy victories in lightly contested Republican primaries across the country.
"We have the resources to beat Trump in swing states that Democrats lost in 2016," Bloomberg said Tuesday night while campaigning in Florida.
The billionaire former New York mayor, who threw more than a half a billion dollars into the Super Tuesday states, will reassess his campaign on Wednesday, according to a person close to his operation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal deliberations.
Warren was also fighting to be optimistic.
Facing a roaring crowd in Michigan before news of her disappointing home-state finish was announced, she called on her supporters to ignore the political pundits and predictions as her advisers insist she's willing to go all the way to a contested convention in July even if she doesn't claim an outright victory anywhere.
"Here's my advice: Cast a vote that will make you proud. Cast a vote from your heart," Warren declared. She added: "You don't get what you don't fight for. I am in this fight."
With votes still being counted across the country, The Associated Press has allocated 453 delegates to Biden, 382 to Sanders, 50 to Warren, 44 to Bloomberg and one for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. The numbers are expected to shift as new states report their numbers and as some candidates hover around the 15% vote threshold they must hit to earn delegates.
The ultimate nominee must claim 1,991 delegates, which is a majority of the 3,979 pledged delegates available this primary season.
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Brian Slodysko in Washington and Kathleen Ronayne in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, "Ground Game."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-03--Feder: Four ABC 7 employees stay home after possible coronavirus exposure

Four employees of WLS-Channel 7 were kept away from work Tuesday out of concern they may have been exposed to @ @ @ @ @ the ABC-owned station confirmed .
The action was taken `` out of an abundance of @ @ @ @ @ said , after an ABC 7 reporter and photographer interviewed a food service worker Monday @ @ @ @ @ Arlington Heights where a coronavirus patient was being treated .
A second photographer who shook @ @ @ @ @ ( during a shift change in the news van ) was told not to come @ @ @ @ @ of the first photographer , who also is employed at the station , was offered @ @ @ @ @ with their family and chose to do so .
All four employees were awaiting the @ @ @ @ @ the food service worker before they are expected to come back .
ABC 7 would @ @ @ @ @ the four , citing confidentiality .

Feder: Four ABC 7 employees stay home after possible coronavirus exposure
Four employees of WLS-Channel 7 were kept away from work Tuesday out of concern they may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
Four employees of WLS-Channel 7 were kept away from work Tuesday out of concern they may have been exposed to the coronavirus, officials of the ABC-owned station confirmed.
The action was taken "out of an abundance of caution," the station said, after an ABC 7 reporter and photographer interviewed a food service worker Monday at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights where a coronavirus patient was being treated.
A second photographer who shook hands with the first one (during a shift change in the news van) was told not to come to work. The wife of the first photographer, who also is employed at the station, was offered the opportunity to stay home with their family and chose to do so.
All four employees were awaiting the results of COVID-19 tests on the food service worker before they are expected to come back. ABC 7 would not confirm the names of the four, citing confidentiality.
Read more at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-03--Patient at University of Chicago hospital tests negative for coronavirus

University of Chicago Medical Center officials said Tuesday night that tests on a patient they feared would be the state 's fifth person to be diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus strain came out negative .
The patient was admitted Monday night .
Doctors released lab results from the Illinois Department of Public Health just before 8:30 p.m .
The medical center did n't say anything more about the patient .
`` We remain committed to providing safe and effective care to those in our community who become infected with COVID-19 , '' read an email to hospital staff members , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to work with federal , state and local health officials as we monitor the situation locally and nationally while also ensuring UChicago Medicine 's readiness for the various stages of the epidemic . ''
Meanwhile , two suburban coronavirus patients remain under watch , one at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights and the other quarantined at her home .
The husband and wife in their 70s were the third and fourth patients diagnosed with the disease in the state .
It 's unclear how they were infected .
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital in Hoffman Estates weeks ago and released back to their Chicago home after symptoms subsided .
Health officials said that couple is doing well .
The woman became infected after traveling to China and her husband contracted the virus from her upon her return .
Elsewhere , Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 officials notified parents and staff about two students and two staffers who were staying home of their own volition after coming into contact with a babysitter who 's relative treated a coronavirus patient at a hospital .
The disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Iran and Italy , has been responsible for hundreds of deaths around the world .
So far , U.S. health officials have only confirmed six deaths , all in Washington state , from the virus .
Like most respiratory diseases , this strain of coronavirus affects the elderly , infants and those with compromised immune systems the most .
Health officials are working on a vaccine in an effort to thwart the spread of the disease .

Patient at University of Chicago hospital tests negative for coronavirus
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, announce the state's fourth case of coronavirus during a news conference Monday in Chicago. University of Chicago Medical Center officials said Tuesday night a patient did not turn out to be the state's fifth person to be diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus strain. Illinois.gov
University of Chicago Medical Center officials said Tuesday night that tests on a patient they feared would be the state's fifth person to be diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus strain came out negative.
The patient was admitted Monday night. Doctors released lab results from the Illinois Department of Public Health just before 8:30 p.m.
The medical center didn't say anything more about the patient.
"We remain committed to providing safe and effective care to those in our community who become infected with COVID-19," read an email to hospital staff members, also shared with media. "We will continue to work with federal, state and local health officials as we monitor the situation locally and nationally while also ensuring UChicago Medicine's readiness for the various stages of the epidemic."
Meanwhile, two suburban coronavirus patients remain under watch, one at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights and the other quarantined at her home. The husband and wife in their 70s were the third and fourth patients diagnosed with the disease in the state. It's unclear how they were infected.
The first and second patients were treated at a hospital in Hoffman Estates weeks ago and released back to their Chicago home after symptoms subsided. Health officials said that couple is doing well. The woman became infected after traveling to China and her husband contracted the virus from her upon her return.
Elsewhere, Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 officials notified parents and staff about two students and two staffers who were staying home of their own volition after coming into contact with a babysitter who's relative treated a coronavirus patient at a hospital.
The disease, which has had significant outbreaks in China, Iran and Italy, has been responsible for hundreds of deaths around the world. So far, U.S. health officials have only confirmed six deaths, all in Washington state, from the virus.
Like most respiratory diseases, this strain of coronavirus affects the elderly, infants and those with compromised immune systems the most. Health officials are working on a vaccine in an effort to thwart the spread of the disease.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--10-man Jeonbuk draws 2-2 with Sydney FC in Asian CL

SYDNEY -- Han Kyo-won 's goal in the 89th minute gave 10-man Jeonbuk Motors a 2-2 draw with Sydney FC in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday .
Trent Buhagiar 's solo effort cancelled out Jeonbuk 's second-half goal , and Adam Le Fondre 's penalty after a Jeonbuk player was sent off for a handball looked like it would be enough for Sydney 's first Asian win in nine games .
But with seconds to go , Murilo Henrique 's shot hit a post and Han drove home the equalizer .
On Tuesday , Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage games unaffected by the coronavirus outbreak .
In February , the Asian Football Confederation rescheduled a number of matches because of the virus .
The second round of the competition , originally due to take place in June , will be moved back to August to allow for the completion of the group stage .
Jeonbuk has won seven K-League titles , but had had the opening two matches of its domestic season postponed over virus restrictions .
The South Korean side has reached the knockout stage of the Asian Champions League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including winning the ACL in 2016 .
Yokohama FM leads Group H with two wins , while Sydney and Jeonbuk have a point each .
Yokohama , coached by former Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou , beat Sydney 4-0 earlier in the round .

10-man Jeonbuk draws 2-2 with Sydney FC in Asian CL
SYDNEY -- Han Kyo-won's goal in the 89th minute gave 10-man Jeonbuk Motors a 2-2 draw with Sydney FC in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday.
Trent Buhagiar's solo effort cancelled out Jeonbuk's second-half goal, and Adam Le Fondre's penalty after a Jeonbuk player was sent off for a handball looked like it would be enough for Sydney's first Asian win in nine games.
But with seconds to go, Murilo Henrique's shot hit a post and Han drove home the equalizer.
On Tuesday, Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim won the first of only two group stage games unaffected by the coronavirus outbreak.
In February, the Asian Football Confederation rescheduled a number of matches because of the virus. The second round of the competition, originally due to take place in June, will be moved back to August to allow for the completion of the group stage.
Jeonbuk has won seven K-League titles, but had had the opening two matches of its domestic season postponed over virus restrictions.
The South Korean side has reached the knockout stage of the Asian Champions League in each of the last six years including winning the ACL in 2016.
Yokohama FM leads Group H with two wins, while Sydney and Jeonbuk have a point each. Yokohama, coached by former Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou, beat Sydney 4-0 earlier in the round.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--About 150 attend funeral in Elgin for another 'unclaimed veteran'

About 150 people responded Wednesday to the call to honor an `` unclaimed veteran '' in Elgin , the second such funeral held by Symonds-Madison Funeral Home in the last five weeks .
`` He does n't have family , '' funeral home owner Dan Symonds said when greeting those paying respects to Ronald `` Ron '' George Olson of Elgin , who died Feb. 6 at age 83 .
`` We 're his family now . ''
Olson served from 1959 to 1961 as an Army combat engineer with Company C , 34th Engineering Battalion .
His only daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friend Tammy Newsome of Lake in the Hills said she met Olson about 15 years ago at Eaton 's Redwood Inn in Elgin , where he was a regular .
`` He was a perfect gentleman , very witty and just a really fun guy , '' she said .
Shawn Ayers , wrestling coach at Harvest Christian Academy , brought seven of his wrestlers to the funeral .
`` With me being a veteran , I wanted them to understand what we do for each other and I want them to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` When you have nobody else , there are other people out there to step up for you . ''
`` And it gives the kids a chance to give back to the people who have given so much for them , '' said Ayers , who served in the Army from 2001 to 2015 .
Olson was remembered in his obituary for his cooking skills and love of football , especially the Chicago Bears .
He was a talented pool player who loved to dance with the ladies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dean Martin .
He had suffered from Parkinson 's disease for 12 years .
Unclaimed veterans are those who died without surviving relatives , or whose relatives could n't be contacted .
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides some reimbursement for funeral homes if veterans have been honorably discharged .
Symonds and his wife , Joy , held their first such funeral Jan. 29 for Elgin veteran John James Murphy .
It was attended by about 600 people after the news spread via social media .
Since then , the Symonds have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Love Our Veterans Elgin .
Its mission is to create a community of people who want to honor unclaimed veterans , volunteer to help Elgin-area veterans in need , and take part in events , service opportunities and fundraisers done by veterans service organizations .

About 150 attend funeral in Elgin for another 'unclaimed veteran'
"Unclaimed veteran" Ronald "Ron" George Olson of Elgin, who died Feb. 6, had a daughter and son-in-law who died before him. Courtesy of Symonds-Madison/Sylvia Wall
About 150 people responded Wednesday to the call to honor an "unclaimed veteran" in Elgin, the second such funeral held by Symonds-Madison Funeral Home in the last five weeks.
"He doesn't have family," funeral home owner Dan Symonds said when greeting those paying respects to Ronald "Ron" George Olson of Elgin, who died Feb. 6 at age 83. "We're his family now."
Olson served from 1959 to 1961 as an Army combat engineer with Company C, 34th Engineering Battalion. His only daughter and his son-in-law died before him.
Friend Tammy Newsome of Lake in the Hills said she met Olson about 15 years ago at Eaton's Redwood Inn in Elgin, where he was a regular. "He was a perfect gentleman, very witty and just a really fun guy," she said.
Shawn Ayers, wrestling coach at Harvest Christian Academy, brought seven of his wrestlers to the funeral.
"With me being a veteran, I wanted them to understand what we do for each other and I want them to understand the community behind a fallen soldier," he said. "When you have nobody else, there are other people out there to step up for you."
"And it gives the kids a chance to give back to the people who have given so much for them," said Ayers, who served in the Army from 2001 to 2015.
Olson was remembered in his obituary for his cooking skills and love of football, especially the Chicago Bears. He was a talented pool player who loved to dance with the ladies to the tune of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He had suffered from Parkinson's disease for 12 years.
Unclaimed veterans are those who died without surviving relatives, or whose relatives couldn't be contacted. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides some reimbursement for funeral homes if veterans have been honorably discharged.
Symonds and his wife, Joy, held their first such funeral Jan. 29 for Elgin veteran John James Murphy. It was attended by about 600 people after the news spread via social media.
Since then, the Symondses have launched Operation LOVE, which stands for Love Our Veterans Elgin. Its mission is to create a community of people who want to honor unclaimed veterans, volunteer to help Elgin-area veterans in need, and take part in events, service opportunities and fundraisers done by veterans service organizations.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Bartlett man guilty in battery of grocery bagger with special needs

A Bartlett man has been found guilty of one count of aggravated battery for kicking a grocery store bagger who has special needs .
DuPage County Judge Brian Telander found Bruce Mirabella , 51 , guilty of one of three counts of aggravated battery -- for kicking the bagger -- after the one-day trial and revoked his bail .
He found him not guilty of punching the bagger , because Telander said the employee was walking quickly toward Marabella .
The kick , however , came as the bagger was walking away .
`` If these counts charged him with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt he 's guilty , '' Telander said .
The charges stemmed from a July 22 , 2019 , case at the Jewel-Osco at 125 Stearns Road in Bartlett .
Mirabella 's attorney , Tom Breen , called Mirabella 's actions a `` tap punch '' and said his client merely pushed the bagger away with his foot .
`` I really think , Judge , it is a sad situation that may be a misapprehension by ( the victim ) , '' Breen said .
In testimony Wednesday , the store 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was purchasing a bottle of alcohol around 9:30 p.m. when he asked Gordon how old he was .
Gordon told him he was 23 .
The 27-year-old bagger then asked Mirabella how old he was , and Mirabella replied `` old enough to kick your ( butt ) , '' Gordon said .
After the attack , Gordon testified he told the victim to clean himself in a restroom .
He said he told Mirabella the bagger had just been kidding .
`` How was I supposed to know ? ''
Mirabella replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also testified .
He said he has Asperger 's syndrome , a form of autism .
After graduating from high school , he attended a special-education program to teach independent-living skills , but he still lives with his parents and does not drive .
He said he thought he was joking with Mirabella .
`` I was just going to give him a pat on the back and say , 'Well , you have a good day , ' '' the bagger testified .
Mirabella is a former wrestler , has coached wrestling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimate fighting-style match .
After being hit , the bagger returned to the end of the counter and slammed his hands on it , `` because the way he punched me really hurt . ''
Assistant State 's Attorney Bethany Jackson played audio from a Bartlett police car recording of Mirabella 's arrest , in which Mirabella repeatedly refers to the victim with vulgar slurs .
He also said the bagger `` invaded my space . ''
Mirabella pleaded guilty to reckless homicide for a fatal crash he caused on I-88 in 1993 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for domestic battery to his mother and was sued in Kane County by a teen who claimed he was injured by Mirabella during a wrestling practice .

Bartlett man guilty in battery of grocery bagger with special needs
A Bartlett man has been found guilty of one count of aggravated battery for kicking a grocery store bagger who has special needs.
DuPage County Judge Brian Telander found Bruce Mirabella, 51, guilty of one of three counts of aggravated battery -- for kicking the bagger -- after the one-day trial and revoked his bail. He found him not guilty of punching the bagger, because Telander said the employee was walking quickly toward Marabella. The kick, however, came as the bagger was walking away.
"If these counts charged him with being a jerk, there's no doubt he's guilty," Telander said.
The charges stemmed from a July 22, 2019, case at the Jewel-Osco at 125 Stearns Road in Bartlett.
Mirabella's attorney, Tom Breen, called Mirabella's actions a "tap punch" and said his client merely pushed the bagger away with his foot.
"I really think, Judge, it is a sad situation that may be a misapprehension by (the victim)," Breen said.
In testimony Wednesday, the store's cashier, Spencer Gordon, said Mirabella was purchasing a bottle of alcohol around 9:30 p.m. when he asked Gordon how old he was. Gordon told him he was 23.
The 27-year-old bagger then asked Mirabella how old he was, and Mirabella replied "old enough to kick your (butt)," Gordon said.
After the attack, Gordon testified he told the victim to clean himself in a restroom. He said he told Mirabella the bagger had just been kidding. "How was I supposed to know?" Mirabella replied, according to Gordon.
The bagger also testified. He said he has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. After graduating from high school, he attended a special-education program to teach independent-living skills, but he still lives with his parents and does not drive.
He said he thought he was joking with Mirabella.
"I was just going to give him a pat on the back and say, 'Well, you have a good day,'" the bagger testified.
Mirabella is a former wrestler, has coached wrestling and has competed in at least one ultimate fighting-style match.
After being hit, the bagger returned to the end of the counter and slammed his hands on it, "because the way he punched me really hurt."
Assistant State's Attorney Bethany Jackson played audio from a Bartlett police car recording of Mirabella's arrest, in which Mirabella repeatedly refers to the victim with vulgar slurs. He also said the bagger "invaded my space."
Mirabella pleaded guilty to reckless homicide for a fatal crash he caused on I-88 in 1993. He has a Cook County conviction for domestic battery to his mother and was sued in Kane County by a teen who claimed he was injured by Mirabella during a wrestling practice.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--The 5 most Googled coronavirus questions, and their answers

As concerns over the global novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 grow , we answer the five most Googled questions about the disease .
There are more than 130 confirmed coronavirus cases nationwide and 11 deaths , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports .
Is coronavirus airborne ?
How does it spread ?
COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes , which can travel up to 6 feet , and through contaminated surfaces .
Droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby or possibly be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily , the coronavirus differs from typical highly contagious airborne viruses , such as measles or smallpox , whose pathogens can travel through the air by both small , dry particles and as larger liquid droplets .
Is coronavirus worse than the flu ?
The COVID-19 and influenza viruses are contagious viruses that cause respiratory illness .
Both cause fever , cough , body aches , fatigue , and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea .
Both can be mild or severe , even fatal in rare cases , and can lead to pneumonia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is considerably higher than the flu .
How long can coronavirus live on surfaces ( doorknobs , bus poles , touch screens ) ?
Earlier studies of similar coronaviruses , including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) and Middle East respiratory syndrome ( MERS ) , concluded they can remain infectious on surfaces for up to nine days .
Common disinfectants could render the viruses inactive and higher temperatures might dissipate them , studies show .
But touching a contagious surface is not the main way COVID-19 spreads .
It is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of COVID-19 .
Other viruses , such as the common cold and flu , spread more during cold-weather months , but infection is not limited to that period .
There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for COVID-19 at this time .
Those infected can get help to relieve symptoms .
In severe cases , treatment could include care to support vital organ functions .
Knowing signs and symptoms can help stop the disease from spreading .

The 5 most Googled coronavirus questions, and their answers
Among the most Googled questions about coronavirus are can the virus survive on objects and can it be cured.
As concerns over the global novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 grow, we answer the five most Googled questions about the disease.
There are more than 130 confirmed coronavirus cases nationwide and 11 deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.
Is coronavirus airborne? How does it spread?
COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which can travel up to 6 feet, and through contaminated surfaces. Droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Though spread easily, the coronavirus differs from typical highly contagious airborne viruses, such as measles or smallpox, whose pathogens can travel through the air by both small, dry particles and as larger liquid droplets.
Is coronavirus worse than the flu?
The COVID-19 and influenza viruses are contagious viruses that cause respiratory illness. Both cause fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Both can be mild or severe, even fatal in rare cases, and can lead to pneumonia. However, the mortality rate for COVID-19 is considerably higher than the flu.
How long can coronavirus live on surfaces (doorknobs, bus poles, touch screens)?
Earlier studies of similar coronaviruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), concluded they can remain infectious on surfaces for up to nine days. Common disinfectants could render the viruses inactive and higher temperatures might dissipate them, studies show. But touching a contagious surface is not the main way COVID-19 spreads.
Will warm weather kill the coronavirus?
It is not yet known whether weather and temperature impact the spread of COVID-19. Other viruses, such as the common cold and flu, spread more during cold-weather months, but infection is not limited to that period.
Can coronavirus infection be cured/stopped?
There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for COVID-19 at this time. Those infected can get help to relieve symptoms. In severe cases, treatment could include care to support vital organ functions. Knowing signs and symptoms can help stop the disease from spreading.
• Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Daily Herald research


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--'It needs a new beginning': Home where authorities say AJ Freund was murdered is demolished

A sad reminder of the tragic death of a 5-year old boy quickly was reduced to rubble Wednesday morning .
The Crystal Lake house where authorities say AJ Freund was killed by his parents last April was left in a heap just minutes after demolition crews began their work .
About an hour after work began at 7:45 a.m. , scraps of wood and debris were being loaded into trucks and carted off .
A big machine sat atop the heap as water was trained on the rubble to keep dust down .
Several neighbors watched under a bright blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little cottage-style house at 94 Dole Ave. And to a person , they were happy to see it go .
`` Who wants a haunted house in their neighborhood ? ''
asked Crystal Lake resident Randy Funk .
`` Evil went on there .
You do n't want that .
It needs a new beginning . ''
Most of the onlookers had a lot to say but did n't want their names used .
They just wanted to see the physical end of the place that became a house of horrors for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community .
Huntley resident Jeff Berggren last October took part in a march in Crystal Lake for what have been AJ 's 6th birthday .
Berggren said he 's seen pictures of a smiling AJ and chooses to focus on the happy days the boy may have had in the house .
`` If I lived across the street or next door , I would want this to disappear , '' he said of the house .
`` It 's closure to a lot of people . ''
Media members appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Contractors Inc. of Chicago began its work , which the company donated .
That was a far cry from the hundreds who gathered on the front lawn late last April for a candlelight vigil in tribute to AJ 's short and tragic life .
His body was recovered April 24 from a shallow grave several miles away in rural Woodstock .
His parents , Andrew Freund Sr. , and JoAnn Cunningham , had reported him missing six days earlier but were charged with first-degree murder and other felonies after the discovery .
Cunningham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder charge in December and faces up to 60 years in prison when sentenced April 30 .
Freund Sr. , 61 , last week requested a bench trial and is scheduled to return to court April 24 , the anniversary of his arrest .
Both remain held in the McHenry County jail on $ 5 million bail .
Funk said he knew Freund as a teenager and as a younger man .
But the once popular Freund cut himself off from his friends many years ago , according to Funk .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy I 've know all my life , '' he said .
`` We could n't believe this happened . ''
In any case , Funk said he is part of a group that raised about $ 54,000 to help AJ 's siblings .
That included a scholarship in the name of AJ 's college-aged half brother , and furniture and other items for two younger siblings .
The latter two , including one born in jail to Cunningham , have been staying with relatives and are doing well , Funk said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrests and subsequently was boarded up .
The city of Crystal Lake , citing 41 code violations , was granted court approval in November to tear it down .
Years of reports released by Crystal Lake police before AJ 's body was recovered detailed dilapidated conditions unfit for children inside the home and several contacts between the family and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services .
Demolition is scheduled to continue Thursday .
The city 's preferred use of the site is a new home , but the immediate future of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortgage holder in January relinquished his interest in the property , reverting responsibility of the property to Freund Sr. , who has owned the home since the early 1990s , and Cunningham .

'It needs a new beginning': Home where authorities say AJ Freund was murdered is demolished
Onlookers use their phones to record a crew from Green Demolition Contractors Inc. at work on Wednesday at 94 Dole Ave., the former home of Andrew Freund Sr. and JoAnn Cunningham. Authorities allege the pair killed their 5-year-old son, AJ Freund, in the home last April. Matt Apgar/Shaw Media Illinois
A crew from Green Demolition Contractors Inc. works Wednesday to tear down a home at 94 Dole Ave. in Crystal Lake. Authorities allege 5-year old AJ Freund was killed in the home last April by his parents, Andrew Freund Sr. and JoAnn Cunningham. Matt Apgar/Shaw Media Illinois
The former home of Andrew Freund Sr. and JoAnn Cunningham at 94 Dole Ave. in Crystal Lake, where authorities allege the pair killed their 5-year-old son in last April, was demolished Wednesday morning. Matt Apgar/Shaw Media Illinois
A sad reminder of the tragic death of a 5-year old boy quickly was reduced to rubble Wednesday morning.
The Crystal Lake house where authorities say AJ Freund was killed by his parents last April was left in a heap just minutes after demolition crews began their work.
About an hour after work began at 7:45 a.m., scraps of wood and debris were being loaded into trucks and carted off. A big machine sat atop the heap as water was trained on the rubble to keep dust down.
Several neighbors watched under a bright blue sky as heavy equipment ripped through the little cottage-style house at 94 Dole Ave. And to a person, they were happy to see it go.
"Who wants a haunted house in their neighborhood?" asked Crystal Lake resident Randy Funk.
"Evil went on there. You don't want that. It needs a new beginning."
Most of the onlookers had a lot to say but didn't want their names used. They just wanted to see the physical end of the place that became a house of horrors for a little boy and an indelible stain on the community.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer Onlookers share a hug Wednesday morning as the Crystal Lake home where prosecutors allege that 5-year old AJ Freund was killed by his parents nearly a year ago is demolished.
Huntley resident Jeff Berggren last October took part in a march in Crystal Lake for what have been AJ's 6th birthday. Berggren said he's seen pictures of a smiling AJ and chooses to focus on the happy days the boy may have had in the house.
"If I lived across the street or next door, I would want this to disappear," he said of the house. "It's closure to a lot of people."
Media members appeared to outnumber onlookers Wednesday morning as Green Demolition Contractors Inc. of Chicago began its work, which the company donated.
AJ Freund
That was a far cry from the hundreds who gathered on the front lawn late last April for a candlelight vigil in tribute to AJ's short and tragic life. His body was recovered April 24 from a shallow grave several miles away in rural Woodstock. His parents, Andrew Freund Sr., and JoAnn Cunningham, had reported him missing six days earlier but were charged with first-degree murder and other felonies after the discovery.
Cunningham, 36, pleaded guilty to a murder charge in December and faces up to 60 years in prison when sentenced April 30.
Freund Sr., 61, last week requested a bench trial and is scheduled to return to court April 24, the anniversary of his arrest. Both remain held in the McHenry County jail on $5 million bail.
Funk said he knew Freund as a teenager and as a younger man. But the once popular Freund cut himself off from his friends many years ago, according to Funk.
"It hit me personally because it's a guy I've known all my life," he said. "We couldn't believe this happened."
In any case, Funk said he is part of a group that raised about $54,000 to help AJ's siblings. That included a scholarship in the name of AJ's college-aged half brother, and furniture and other items for two younger siblings. The latter two, including one born in jail to Cunningham, have been staying with relatives and are doing well, Funk said.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer The Crystal Lake home where prosecutors say 5-year-old AJ Freund was murdered by his parents was torn down Wednesday, and neighbors were happy to see it go. "Evil went on there. You don't want that," Crystal Lake resident Randy Funk said.
The house has been vacant since the arrests and subsequently was boarded up. The city of Crystal Lake, citing 41 code violations, was granted court approval in November to tear it down.
Years of reports released by Crystal Lake police before AJ's body was recovered detailed dilapidated conditions unfit for children inside the home and several contacts between the family and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Demolition is scheduled to continue Thursday. The city's preferred use of the site is a new home, but the immediate future of the lot is unknown.
The former mortgage holder in January relinquished his interest in the property, reverting responsibility of the property to Freund Sr., who has owned the home since the early 1990s, and Cunningham.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Naperville mom behind #apintforkim blood drive dies in hospice

Kim Sandford did n't want a wake , so instead , she 'll get a blood drive in her name .
The event , called A Pint for Kim , is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville , and it was in the works as Sandford 's condition worsened from a cancer that doctors no longer could treat .
Planned by Sandford 's sisters , Kristyn Jo Benedyk and Kathleen Fuglsang , the blood drive is the beginning of an effort to collect 100,000 pints of donated blood by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named in honor of Sandford , a Naperville woman whom relatives say fought various forms of cancer on and off for eight years -- always with love , always with care for others -- before her death Tuesday at a hospice facility .
She was 49 .
During her cancer treatment , Sandford often received blood and platelet transfusions , which her relatives say helped her fight the disease and extend her life .
The process taught her family how common it is for cancer patients to depend on donated blood and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give .
Supporters already have begun donating blood in Sandford 's name , using the hashtag # apintforkim on social media to record their efforts .
Nearly 300 more people are expected to donate on Sunday during the drive , for which the blood bank Versiti has expanded available slots .
A link to donor registration is available at facebook.com/apintforKim/ .
Sandford leaves behind her husband of 23 years , Rob Sandford , and their two sons , Ricky , 13 , and JD , 11 .
Benedyk said Sandford kept her cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends did not know of her condition .
Those acquaintances and others who want to pay respects can come to the blood drive at 2228 W. Ferry Road in Naperville instead of a traditional visitation .
`` I think this is going to wind up being one more or less , but in a celebratory way , '' Benedyk said .
`` We certainly did n't think it would be that when we planned it , but it is a fitting way to celebrate her life . ''
Instead of focusing on money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer research , the goal of A Pint for Kim is to provide the gift of time to patients battling cancer like Sandford did .
`` Even in death , '' Benedyk said , `` she wants the attention off her and onto giving back . ''

Naperville mom behind #apintforkim blood drive dies in hospice
JD, Kim, Ricky and Rob Sandford visit the Bahamas every year with family. The traditional vacation spot is where Kim and Rob met before marrying in 1996. Courtesy of Sandford family
Kim Sandford gets to see the Stanley Cup trophy with her husband, Rob, and their sons JD and Ricky at Edward Hospital in Naperville. Kim was treated for cancer at Edward several times before she died Tuesday at age 49. Courtesy of Sandford family
After Kim Sandford, left, died Tuesday from cancer, her sisters Kristyn Jo Benedyk and Kathleen Fuglsang are working to collect 100,000 pints of donated blood in her honor by the end of the year through a drive they're calling #apintforkim. A blood drive to launch the effort is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville. Courtesy of Sandford family
Kim Sandford didn't want a wake, so instead, she'll get a blood drive in her name.
The event, called A Pint for Kim, is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville, and it was in the works as Sandford's condition worsened from a cancer that doctors no longer could treat.
Planned by Sandford's sisters, Kristyn Jo Benedyk and Kathleen Fuglsang, the blood drive is the beginning of an effort to collect 100,000 pints of donated blood by the end of the year.
The drive is named in honor of Sandford, a Naperville woman whom relatives say fought various forms of cancer on and off for eight years -- always with love, always with care for others -- before her death Tuesday at a hospice facility. She was 49.
During her cancer treatment, Sandford often received blood and platelet transfusions, which her relatives say helped her fight the disease and extend her life. The process taught her family how common it is for cancer patients to depend on donated blood and how vital it is for healthy people to give.
Supporters already have begun donating blood in Sandford's name, using the hashtag #apintforkim on social media to record their efforts. Nearly 300 more people are expected to donate on Sunday during the drive, for which the blood bank Versiti has expanded available slots. A link to donor registration is available at facebook.com/apintforKim/.
Sandford leaves behind her husband of 23 years, Rob Sandford, and their two sons, Ricky, 13, and JD, 11.
Benedyk said Sandford kept her cancer battle relatively private, so many casual friends did not know of her condition. Those acquaintances and others who want to pay respects can come to the blood drive at 2228 W. Ferry Road in Naperville instead of a traditional visitation.
"I think this is going to wind up being one more or less, but in a celebratory way," Benedyk said. "We certainly didn't think it would be that when we planned it, but it is a fitting way to celebrate her life."
Instead of focusing on money by starting a fundraiser or donating to cancer research, the goal of A Pint for Kim is to provide the gift of time to patients battling cancer like Sandford did.
"Even in death," Benedyk said, "she wants the attention off her and onto giving back."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Hubbard changes story about whether she brought a gun to Senate debate

After spawning controversy when she said she brought a handgun to a debate at a suburban high school last month , Republican Senate hopeful Peggy Hubbard shared a different version of that tale during a televised forum Tuesday .
Appearing on WTTW 's `` Chicago Tonight '' with the four other GOP candidates for the Senate seat held by Democrat Dick Durbin , Hubbard told host Phil Ponce she never claimed to have brought the gun into the Feb. 13 forum at Hinsdale Central High School .
`` I said I had it with me , but I did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of Belleville , told Ponce .
`` There 's a difference . ''
But that 's not what Hubbard said at a forum in downstate Washington days after the Hinsdale Central event .
In front of that audience , Hubbard said , `` I walked in with a concealed carry , and I had a gun and three clips , and nobody checked . ''
An audio recording of that comment is available online .
Additionally , in a social media post after the Hinsdale Central event , Hubbard said she `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 clips ! ''
Hubbard subsequently told the Daily Herald she `` misspoke '' when she claimed she brought the gun into the school .
`` I was trying to get a rise out of people , '' she said before apologizing .
Hubbard said then she actually left the weapon in a lockbox in her car , and she told Ponce the same thing Tuesday night .
Hubbard has stood by her initial statement that she brought ammunition into the school .
`` I did have two clips on me , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hinsdale police investigated , and no charges were filed .
In a statement issued during the investigation , school officials said Hubbard `` knowingly endangered the safety of our students and staff '' if she brought a firearm into the school as she initially claimed .
After asking Hubbard about the Hinsdale Central forum , Ponce asked all the candidates about gun control laws .
One of them , Robert Marshall , took the opportunity to accuse Hubbard of lying about what happened at the forum .
`` Mrs. Hubbard has two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's all on tape , '' Marshall said .
`` So one of her versions is false . ''
When asked Wednesday by the Daily Herald about the discrepancies in her comments , Hubbard said she had nothing else to say about the situation .
Hubbard , who was seated next to Marshall , did n't respond .
None of the other three candidates -- Casey Chlebek of Glenview , Mark Curran of Libertyville and Tom Tarter of Springfield -- commented about the controversy .
The winner of the March 17 primary will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Springfield , in November .
In addition to asking Hubbard about the Hinsdale Central forum , Ponce queried the candidates about health care , immigration , Durbin 's political record and other topics .

Hubbard changes story about whether she brought a gun to Senate debate
Upper from left, Casey Chlebek, Mark Curran and Peggy Hubbard and, lower from left, Robert Marshall and Tom Tarter are the Republican candidates running for U.S. Senate in the March 17 primary.
After spawning controversy when she said she brought a handgun to a debate at a suburban high school last month, Republican Senate hopeful Peggy Hubbard shared a different version of that tale during a televised forum Tuesday.
Appearing on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" with the four other GOP candidates for the Senate seat held by Democrat Dick Durbin, Hubbard told host Phil Ponce she never claimed to have brought the gun into the Feb. 13 forum at Hinsdale Central High School.
"I said I had it with me, but I did not have it on me," Hubbard, of Belleville, told Ponce. "There's a difference."
But that's not what Hubbard said at a forum in downstate Washington days after the Hinsdale Central event. In front of that audience, Hubbard said, "I walked in with a concealed carry, and I had a gun and three clips, and nobody checked."
An audio recording of that comment is available online.
Additionally, in a social media post after the Hinsdale Central event, Hubbard said she "walked in with ... my weapon and 2 clips!"
Hubbard subsequently told the Daily Herald she "misspoke" when she claimed she brought the gun into the school.
"I was trying to get a rise out of people," she said before apologizing.
Hubbard she actually left the weapon in a lockbox in her car, and she told Ponce the same thing Tuesday night.
Hubbard has stood by her initial statement that she brought ammunition into the school.
"I did have two clips on me," Hubbard said last month.
School officials and Hinsdale police investigated, and no charges were filed.
In a statement issued during the investigation, school officials said Hubbard "knowingly endangered the safety of our students and staff" if she brought a firearm into the school as she initially claimed.
After asking Hubbard about the Hinsdale Central forum, Ponce asked all the candidates about gun control laws. One of them, Robert Marshall, took the opportunity to accuse Hubbard of lying about what happened at the forum.
"Mrs. Hubbard has two versions of what happened, and it's all on tape," Marshall said. "So one of her versions is false."
Hubbard, who was seated next to Marshall, didn't respond. None of the other three candidates -- Casey Chlebek of Glenview, Mark Curran of Libertyville and Tom Tarter of Springfield -- commented about the controversy.
When asked Wednesday by the Daily Herald about the discrepancies in her comments, Hubbard said she had nothing else to say about the situation.
The winner of the March 17 primary will face Durbin, a four-term incumbent from Springfield, in November.
In addition to asking Hubbard about the Hinsdale Central forum, Ponce queried the candidates about health care, immigration, Durbin's political record and other topics.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Nearly $35 million in February marijuana sales

Marijuana users spent almost $ 35 million in February , according to recently released state figures .
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported Wednesday that Illinois residents spent more than $ 25.6 million on recreational marijuana , while out-of-state buyers spent almost $ 9.2 million during the 29-day period .
The figures do not include marijuana taxes or sales taxes , officials said .
In all , 831,600 items were sold , for an average of almost $ 42 per item .
In January , the state recorded nearly $ 40 million in sales and garnered $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.1 million in additional sales taxes .
The state expects to generate $ 28 million alone in new marijuana taxes through the remainder of the fiscal year , which ends in June .
Marijuana is taxed based on its potency , ranging from 10 % to 25 % .
Growers also pay a tax .
Money generated from the new tax will go toward multiple coffers .
The state 's general fund gets 35 % , a community development revitalization program for areas affected by the criminalization of marijuana gets 25 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mental health programs , 10 % will go toward the state 's bill backlog , local government law enforcement agencies receive 8 % and 2 % will fund public education and analysis of marijuana legalization .
The state is also issuing new license to store operators soon .
But many dispensaries with medical marijuana licenses were among the first to offer recreational use .
In the suburbs , dispensaries operating in Addison , Mundelein and North Aurora offered recreational sales during the first month .
Since then , licenses to a dispensary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Addison have been issued as well .

Nearly $35 million in February marijuana sales
Illinois officials reported recreational marijuana dispensaries throughout the state sold nearly $35 million worth of products during February. Associated Press File Photo
Marijuana users spent almost $35 million in February, according to state figures.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported Wednesday that Illinois residents spent more than $25.6 million on recreational marijuana, while out-of-state buyers spent almost $9.2 million during the 29-day period.
The figures do not include marijuana taxes or sales taxes, officials said.
In all, 831,600 items were sold, at an average of almost $42 per item.
In January, the state recorded nearly $40 million in sales and garnered $7.3 million in marijuana taxes and $3.1 million in additional sales taxes. The state expects to generate $28 million alone in new marijuana taxes through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends in June.
Marijuana is taxed based on its potency, ranging from 10% to 25%. Growers also pay a tax.
Money generated from the new tax will go toward multiple coffers. The state's general fund gets 35%, a community development revitalization program for areas affected by the criminalization of marijuana gets 25%, while 20% goes to substance abuse and mental health programs and 10% goes toward the state's bill backlog. Local government law enforcement agencies receive 8%, and 2% goes to public education and analysis of marijuana legalization.
The state is issuing more store licenses soon.
Many dispensaries with medical marijuana licenses were among the first to offer recreational use. In the suburbs, dispensaries operating in Addison, Mundelein and North Aurora offered recreational sales during the first month. Since then, licenses to a dispensary in Rolling Meadows and a second one in Addison have been issued as well.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Driver going 107 mph in crash that killed teen gets 4-year sentence

A Wheeling man convicted in January of the high-speed crash that killed 16-year-old Alyssa Lendino of Mount Prospect was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday .
Cook County Judge Joseph Cataldo 's sentence was one year shy of the five-year maximum Adam Grunin faced .
Jurors found Grunin , 32 , guilty of reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving in the July 21 , 2018 , crash that also severely injured Alyssa 's younger sister Amanda and father Anthony .
The Mount Prospect family , including Alyssa 's mother , were driving south on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mph while the Lendinos ' car was slowing for a stoplight .
Alyssa , a three-sport athlete from Mount Prospect , was about to begin her junior year at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights .
Defense attorneys say Grunin , who was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2015 and was taking prescribed medication at the time of the crash , suffered a seizure and had no control over his actions .
Grunin , who had a valid driver 's license and insurance , had no drugs or alcohol in his system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled from the pocket of his prison uniform , Grunin expressed his remorse to the Lendino family in a Rolling Meadows courtroom crowded with spectators .
`` There are no words to express how sorry I am about what happened , '' he said with bowed head .
`` I pray every day for healing for everyone involved .
I would never wish this pain on anyone . ''
Remembering her aspiring architect daughter as determined and loving , Michelle Lendino tearfully described Alyssa 's absence as `` a hole in my heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Referring to how he chronicled on video his oldest daughter 's life from birth on , Anthony Lendino reflected on all the milestones and accomplishments denied to her , saying , `` this father 's documentary is incomplete and will remain so . ''
Their emotional victim impact statements elicited sobs from their own family and friends as well as Grunin 's family and friends .
Cataldo acknowledged the lingering trauma from which the Lendino family will never heal .
He also said the crime was unintentional and that Grunin showed remorse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody , '' said Cataldo , `` but he did cause death to Alyssa and injuries to Anthony and Amanda ... severe injuries that ca n't be overlooked . ''
`` His conduct killed someone ... and left a family in complete disarray .
That 's conduct that must be deterred . ''
Grunin received credit for 588 days in custody .
He must complete at least 50 % of his sentence before he is eligible for parole .

A Wheeling man convicted in January of causing the high-speed crash that killed 16-year-old Alyssa Lendino of Mount Prospect was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday.
Cook County Judge Joseph Cataldo's sentence was one year shy of the five-year maximum Adam Grunin faced.
Jurors found Grunin, 32, guilty of reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving in the July 21, 2018, crash that also severely injured Alyssa's younger sister, Amanda, and father, Anthony. The family, including Alyssa's mother, were driving south on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling when Grunin's car struck them at 107.5 mph while the Lendinos' car was slowing for a stoplight.
Alyssa, a three-sport athlete, was about to begin her junior year at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.
Defense attorneys say Grunin, who was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2015 and was taking prescribed medication at the time of the crash, suffered a seizure and had no control over his actions. Grunin, who had a valid driver's license and insurance, had no drugs or alcohol in his system.
Reading from a piece of paper he pulled from the pocket of his prison uniform, Grunin expressed his remorse to the Lendino family in a Rolling Meadows courtroom crowded with spectators.
"There are no words to express how sorry I am about what happened," he said with bowed head. "I pray every day for healing for everyone involved. I would never wish this pain on anyone."
Remembering her aspiring architect daughter as determined and loving, Michelle Lendino tearfully described Alyssa's absence as "a hole in my heart that will never be filled."
Referring to how he chronicled on video his oldest daughter's life from birth on, Anthony Lendino reflected on all the milestones and accomplishments denied to her, saying "this father's documentary is incomplete and will remain so."
Their emotional victim impact statements elicited sobs from their own family and friends as well as Grunin's supporters.
Cataldo acknowledged the lingering trauma from which the Lendino family will never heal. He also said the crime was unintentional and that Grunin showed remorse.
"He did not want to hurt anybody," said Cataldo, "but he did cause death to Alyssa and injuries to Anthony and Amanda ... severe injuries that can't be overlooked.
"His conduct killed someone ... and left a family in complete disarray. That's conduct that must be deterred."
Grunin received credit for 588 days in custody. He must complete at least 50% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Mettawa Mayor Casey Urlacher and others plead not guilty in gambling ring case

The brother of Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher joined a crowd of defendants who stood before a federal judge Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ their alleged roles in a multimillion-dollar sports gambling ring that federal authorities say involved as @ @ @ @ @ Casey Urlacher , mayor of Mettawa , stood at the back of the group that @ @ @ @ @ District Judge Virginia Kendall -- a group including nine defendants and their attorneys .
Urlacher @ @ @ @ @ hearing on the 25th floor of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse , giving only short answers @ @ @ @ @ .
Later , he left the building without speaking to reporters .

Mettawa Mayor Casey Urlacher and others plead not guilty in gambling ring case
The brother of Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher joined a crowd of defendants who stood before a federal judge Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to their alleged roles in a multimillion-dollar sports gambling ring that federal authorities say involved as many as 1,000 people.
Casey Urlacher, mayor of Mettawa, stood at the back of the group that formed in front of U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall -- a group including nine defendants and their attorneys.
Urlacher said little during the brief hearing on the 25th floor of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, giving only short answers to questions from the judge. Later, he left the building without speaking to reporters.
A 28-page federal indictment filed late last month accused Urlacher of helping Vincent "Uncle Mick" DelGiudice run a gambling ring.
Read more at Chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Sign up for our new Coronavirus newsletter

The Daily Herald today has launched a weekly coronavirus newsletter to keep readers up to date on the spread of @ @ @ @ @ the United States and in the suburbs .
A new digital newsletter will be circulated @ @ @ @ @ possibility more will be added .
To sign up for the newsletter , click here @ @ @ @ @ latest updates on the spread of the virus , tips for how you can keep @ @ @ @ @ and stories about how public institutions are preparing for and reacting to it .
We @ @ @ @ @ sources of information .
If you have story ideas you 'd like us to pursue @ @ @ @ @ answered , please email me at jbaumann @ dailyherald.com and put `` coronavirus '' in @ @ @ @ @ for reading and please sign up for our newsletter below .

Sign up for our new Coronavirus newsletter
The Daily Herald today has launched a weekly coronavirus newsletter to keep readers up to date on the spread of the virus globally, in the United States and in the suburbs.
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dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Suburban Muslim pilgrims 'in limbo' after Saudi Arabia's travel restrictions

Every year during spring break , Omar Hedroug leads a group of suburban Muslim families and youths on a minor pilgrimage to Mecca .
Thanks to the coronavirus , this year could be different .
Hedroug , education director for the Islamic Center of Naperville , is planning on accompanying roughly 50 people to Saudi Arabia later this month to perform Umrah -- a shortened version of the mandatory Hajj pilgrimage all Muslims must make if able .
But their plans could be disrupted if the Saudi government continues blocking pilgrims from entering the country to visit Islam 's holiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building at the Grand Mosque toward which Muslims pray , in Mecca , and the Prophet 's Mosque in Medina -- for fear of the coronavirus spreading through travelers .
The kingdom reported its first confirmed case of the coronavirus Monday as the disease continues to spread in the Middle East .
For now , Saudi authorities have suspended entry for pilgrims and tourists from countries with confirmed coronavirus outbreaks .
That could change as the situation on the ground evolves and authorities determine an appropriate response , a spokesman said .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his community waiting anxiously for news .
`` We do n't know what 's going to happen , '' Hedroug said .
`` There 's a lot of uncertainty . ''
Hedroug said his group 's tour operator advised waiting `` until the dust settles '' and there is a clear policy from the kingdom .
Yet , conflicting information about Saudi travel restrictions and fears about the illness are spreading faster than the COVID-2019 disease in the U.S .
Typically , millions of pilgrims from all over the world converge on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hajj , which begins July 28 this year .
But growing anxiety over the coronavirus is making some Chicago-area Muslims question whether to make the trip .
`` Everybody is in limbo right now , '' said Muhammed Sodager , who manages the Glendale Heights office of Haram Tours & Travels .
`` It 's all chaos .
Nobody knows what 's going on . ''
Sodager has been organizing pilgrimage tours to Saudi Arabia for 14 years and said that in the past , disruptions have occurred during regional conflicts .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the hour .
`` As of now , we have approximately more than 50 people , they have canceled their trips , '' he said .
Muslims save up and plan well in advance to perform Umrah , which can cost about $ 2,000 per person on average , and Hajj , which can cost about $ 10,000 per person on average .
Dalila Benameur , academic counselor at Universal School in Bridgeview , plans to chaperon a group of 42 students on an educational , historical and spiritual pilgrimage , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , later this month as she has for the past four years .
`` That 's something that they have been waiting for since they started high school , '' Benameur said .
She added students will be `` bummed out '' if the trip is canceled because it is meant to capstone their senior year , `` just to finish their high school with a positive spirit and stronger friendships of brotherhood and sisterhood . ''
Talk is in the air of some parents not sending their children on the trip because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are just waiting to see how things evolve ... and if the ban will be extended or not , '' Benameur said .

Suburban Muslim pilgrims 'in limbo' after Saudi Arabia's travel restrictions
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The kingdom reported its first confirmed case of the coronavirus and for now has blocked pilgrims from entering Islam's holiest sites to perform the minor pilgrimage of Umrah. Associated Press
Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, last August. Suburban Muslims attempting to perform the minor pilgrimage of Umrah this month have had their travel plans interrupted by the coronavirus. Associated Press
Muslim pilgrims walk to cast stones at a pillar, in the symbolic stoning of the devil, the last rite of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Fears of the coronavirus spreading has put a damper on plans for this year's pilgrimage. Associated Press
Muslim pilgrims touch the golden door of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, last August. Fears of the coronavirus spreading among pilgrims has given pause to some suburban Muslims considering the pilgrimage to Mecca this year. Associated Press
"We don't know what's going to happen," says Omar Hedroug, 31, of Westmont, education director for the Islamic Center of Naperville who has plans to lead a group of about 50 people on a mini-pilgrimage to Mecca later this month. Courtesy of Omar Hedroug
A pilgrim poses Monday for a picture as in front of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the minor pilgrimage, known as Umrah, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Many suburban Muslims planning to make that pilgrimage are awaiting lifting of travel restrictions to visit Islam's holiest site. Associated Press
Workers clean the Grand Mosque during the minor pilgrimage, known as Umrah, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday. At Islam's holiest site, restrictions put in place by Saudi Arabia to halt the spread of the new coronavirus saw far smaller crowds than usual. Many suburban Muslims are awaiting lifting of restrictions to make pilgrimage. Associated Press
Every year during spring break, Omar Hedroug leads a group of suburban Muslim families and youths on a minor pilgrimage to Mecca.
Thanks to the coronavirus, this year could be different.
Hedroug, education director for the Islamic Center of Naperville, is planning on accompanying roughly 50 people to Saudi Arabia later this month to perform Umrah -- a shortened version of the mandatory Hajj pilgrimage all Muslims must make if able.
But their plans could be disrupted if the Saudi government continues blocking pilgrims from entering the country to visit Islam's holiest sites -- the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque toward which Muslims pray, in Mecca, and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina -- for fear of the coronavirus spreading through travelers.
The kingdom reported its first confirmed case of the coronavirus Monday as the disease continues to spread in the Middle East.
For now, Saudi authorities have suspended entry for pilgrims and tourists from countries with confirmed coronavirus outbreaks. That could change as the situation on the ground evolves and authorities determine an appropriate response, a spokesman said.
That leaves religious devotees like Hedroug and members of his community waiting anxiously for news.
"We don't know what's going to happen," Hedroug said. "There's a lot of uncertainty."
Hedroug said his group's tour operator advised waiting "until the dust settles" and there is a clear policy from the kingdom. Yet, conflicting information about Saudi travel restrictions and fears about the illness are spreading faster than the COVID-2019 disease in the U.S.
Typically, millions of pilgrims from all over the world converge on Mecca throughout the year and especially during Hajj, which begins July 28 this year. But growing anxiety over the coronavirus is making some Chicago-area Muslims question whether to make the trip.
"Everybody is in limbo right now," said Muhammed Sodager, who manages the Glendale Heights office of Haram Tours & Travels. "It's all chaos. Nobody knows what's going on."
Sodager has been organizing pilgrimage tours to Saudi Arabia for 14 years and said that in the past, disruptions have occurred during regional conflicts. With the coronavirus, the situation is changing by the hour.
"As of now, we have approximately more than 50 people, they have canceled their trips," he said.
Muslims save up and plan well in advance to perform Umrah, which can cost about $2,000 per person on average, and Hajj, which can cost about $10,000 per person on average.
Dalila Benameur, academic counselor at Universal School in Bridgeview, plans to chaperon a group of 42 students on an educational, historical and spiritual pilgrimage, including six days split between Mecca and Medina, later this month as she has for the past four years.
"That's something that they have been waiting for since they started high school," Benameur said.
She added students will be "bummed out" if the trip is canceled because it is meant to capstone their senior year, "just to finish their high school with a positive spirit and stronger friendships of brotherhood and sisterhood."
Talk is in the air of some parents not sending their children on the trip because of the disease scare, she said.
"We are just waiting to see how things evolve ... and if the ban will be extended or not," Benameur said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--O'Donnell: Bradley University hoping nation forgets coach's bullying

The Braves got a rare bid to the NCAA men 's basketball tournament and then had their head coach turn the modest central Illinois school into a national embarrassment .
That was when Brian `` Baby Man '' Wardle had veteran Peoria Journal-Star writer Dave Reynolds -- one of the most respected college basketball beat men in the land -- bounced from a media session for purportedly not helping to sustain the Bradley `` brand . ''
After a quick and righteous national wave of indignation over Wardle 's vapid bullying , Reynolds was given back access to the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the doltish Wardle and bluff-orbiting university President Gary Roberts .
At most colleges with appropriate standards of institutional integrity , Wardle would have been ashcanned quicker than a trailer for Harrison Ford 's `` The Call of the Wild . ''
Instead , he lingers as Bradley begins Missouri Valley Conference tournament play in St. Louis this weekend .
Most coherent alumni do n't know whether to cringe or cheer -- for his removal .
Asked this week to explain his thinking in the retention of Wardle , Roberts stayed hidden behind Bradley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his cohorts on Peoria 's West Bluff apparently thinks Basketball America forgets .
And if there is a shred of karma hovering over the Gateway Arch on Friday , it will be one-and-done and then done-and-gone for `` The Baby Man '' of Bradley University .
STREET-BEATIN ' : Disney/ESPN is reportedly back and hungry like a wolf trying to convince Peyton Manning to sign on for `` Monday Night Football . ''
Among the NFL 's four primary TV partners -- CBS , Fox , NBC and Disney -- `` MNF '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , drawing an average of close to 10 million fewer viewers than the CBS/Fox late Sunday afternoon national windows .
... As an MLB manager and broadcast interview subject , down-home David Ross is already making Joe Maddon seem as hip and funny as Dave Chappelle .
( Maybe they can juice Ross by having him update the old Leo Durocher/Schlitz commercials . )
...
Credible sources are saying Tony Romo will not be handling any golf coverage under his new megadeal with CBS .
Others are saying at $ 17 million-per , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants at The Fisheye , up to and including co-hosting presidential debates and `` The Price Is Right . ''
... Big news out of Chicago 's pandering WSCR-AM ( 670 ) : Station management is again saving money on hotel rooms by renting a house in Arizona for staff at spring training .
( Next bulletin will be that Dan McNeil has completed restoration of his vinyl Uriah Heep albums . )
... Jac Collinsworth is returning to NBC Sports .
The 25-year-old son of Cris Collinsworth is targeted for work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Notre Dame football ( his alma mater ) .
... Great headline : `` Spike Lee and the Knicks are feuding .
What does the latest MSG controversy mean ? ''
It means that anyone who can skip remaining Knicks -- or Bulls -- home games this season is like a person finding out they have a rare immunity to the coronavirus .
... Frank Calabrese -- still the most colorful horseman in the new-mill history of Arlington Park -- reports that he was asked to make the first bet at the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week .
( Calabrese declined . )
... UIC men 's coach Steve McClain -- a legitimately good guy -- is all but toastado .
Assistant Dee Brown of the Gene Hackman model 2004-05 Fighting Illini would be a bold replacement .
...
Speaking of Brown , he , Deron Williams , Luther Head and all suffered their first loss of that historic campaign 15 years ago Friday at Ohio State , 65-64 , to dip to 29-1 .
They would finish 37-2 including 20-0 on ESPN , 10-2 on CBS and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michaels finally admitted it : Prep for the `` Miracle On Ice '' 40 years ago included at least an hour a day of tabletop hockey with ABC colleague Ken Dryden in a Lake Placid hotel room .
( Maybe Pat Foley should try it with Jeremy Colliton . )
...
The DePaulia -- the university 's student daily -- has been stridently calling for the ouster of Dave Leitao .
Hard to believe that the Blue Demons -- now 15-15 -- were 12-1 nine weeks ago .
( New team intro theme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old `` Bad Luck . ''
) ... And Fox 's candid Colin Cowherd , on the essence of contemporary sports talk , insighted , `` I 'm in the drama business .
I root for headlines . ''
• Jim O'Donnell 's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday .
Reach him at jimodonnelldh @ yahoo.com .

O'Donnell: Bradley University hoping nation forgets coach's bullying
Bradley coach Brian Wardle apologized last year to a Peoria sportswriter after initially banning him from access to the team at the NCAA tournament. Associated Press
BRADLEY UNIVERSITY MANUFACTURED the impossible last spring.
The Braves got a rare bid to the NCAA men's basketball tournament and then had their head coach turn the modest central Illinois school into a national embarrassment.
That was when Brian "Baby Man" Wardle had veteran Peoria Journal-Star writer Dave Reynolds -- one of the most respected college basketball beat men in the land -- bounced from a media session for purportedly not helping to promote the Bradley "brand."
After a quick and righteous national wave of indignation over Wardle's vapid bullying, Reynolds was given back access to the team and far too graciously accepted apologies from the doltish Wardle and bluff-orbiting university President Gary Roberts.
At most colleges with appropriate standards of institutional integrity, Wardle would have been ashcanned quicker than a trailer for Harrison Ford's "The Call of the Wild."
Instead, he lingers as Bradley begins Missouri Valley Conference tournament play in St. Louis this weekend.
Most coherent alumni don't know whether to cringe or cheer -- for his removal.
Asked this week to explain his thinking in the retention of Wardle, Roberts stayed hidden behind Bradley's media relations apparatus.
He and his cohorts on Peoria's West Bluff apparently thinks Basketball America forgets.
It doesn't.
And if there is a shred of karma hovering over the Gateway Arch on Friday, it will be one-and-done and then done-and-gone for "The Baby Man" of Bradley University.
STREET-BEATIN': Disney/ESPN is reportedly back and hungry like a wolf trying to convince Peyton Manning to sign on for "Monday Night Football." Among the NFL's four primary TV partners -- CBS, Fox, NBC and Disney -- "MNF" is far and away the weakest piece, drawing an average of close to 10 million fewer viewers than the CBS/Fox late Sunday afternoon national windows. ...
As an MLB manager and broadcast interview subject, down-home David Ross is already making Joe Maddon seem as hip and funny as Dave Chappelle. (Maybe they can juice Ross by having him update the old Leo Durocher/Schlitz commercials.) ...
Credible sources are saying Tony Romo will not be handling any golf coverage under his new megadeal with CBS. Others are saying at $17 million-per, Romo has license to do anything he wants at The Fisheye, up to and including co-hosting presidential debates and "The Price Is Right." ...
Big news out of Chicago's pandering WSCR-AM (670): Station management is again saving money on hotel rooms by renting a house in Arizona for staff at spring training. (Next bulletin will be that Dan McNeil has completed restoration of his vinyl Uriah Heep albums.) ...
Jac Collinsworth is returning to NBC Sports. The 25-year-old son of Cris Collinsworth is targeted for work on the Tokyo Olympics, the NFL and Notre Dame football (his alma mater). ...
Great headline: "Spike Lee and the Knicks are feuding. What does the latest MSG controversy mean?" It means that anyone who can skip remaining Knicks -- or Bulls -- home games this season is like a person finding out they have a rare immunity to the coronavirus. ...
Frank Calabrese -- still the most colorful horseman in the new-mill history of Arlington Park -- reports that he was asked to make the first bet at the new sportsbook inside Rivers Casino in Des Plaines next week. (Calabrese declined.) ...
UIC men's coach Steve McClain -- a legitimately good guy -- is all but toastado. Assistant Dee Brown of the Gene Hackman model 2004-05 Fighting Illini would be a bold replacement. ...
Speaking of Brown, he, Deron Williams, Luther Head and all suffered their first loss of that historic campaign 15 years ago Friday at Ohio State, 65-64, to dip to 29-1. They would finish 37-2 including 20-0 on ESPN, 10-2 on CBS and 7-0 on all others. ...
Al Michaels finally admitted it: Prep for the "Miracle On Ice" 40 years ago included at least an hour a day of tabletop hockey with ABC colleague Ken Dryden in a Lake Placid hotel room. (Maybe Pat Foley should try it with Jeremy Colliton.) ...
The DePaulia -- the university's student daily -- has been stridently calling for the ouster of Dave Leitao. Hard to believe that the Blue Demons -- now 15-15 -- were 12-1 nine weeks ago. (New team intro theme could be Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes old "Bad Luck.") ...
And Fox's candid Colin Cowherd, on the essence of contemporary sports talk, insighted, "I'm in the drama business. I root for headlines."
• Jim O'Donnell's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com.