chicagosun-times--2020-06-27--‘They go, we go’: With Bryant, Rizzo batting 1-2 this season, there’s no better slogan for Cubs

The Cubs and Dexter Fowler always will have their ‘ ‘ You go , we go ’ ’ magic of 2016 .
Fowler couldn ’ t have given the Cubs much more than he did in the leadoff spot that season , when he got on base at a career-high .393 clip .
It didn ’ t take hitting a home run on the fourth pitch of Game 7 of the World Series for Fowler to get the job done .
He just needed to find his way to first base and let the bigger bats behind him go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go , we go ’ ’ — coined by then-manager Joe Maddon — sure had a nice , fun ring to it .
It beats the heck out of the Cubs ’ leadoff slogan last season : ‘ ‘ You stink , we sink.
’ ’ Astute Cubs fans will remember a storyline that sprouted four months ago in Mesa , Arizona , about new manager David Ross ’ leadoff plans for 2020 .
They can be summarized in two words : Kris Bryant .
We might as well remind folks of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitter , too .
He goes by Anthony Rizzo .
Perhaps you ’ ve heard of these guys .
Go ahead and lock them into the Nos .
1 and 2 spots for the entire 60-game season .
Ross had them locked into those spots back when everyone thought there would be 162 games .
‘ ‘ They go , we go ’ ’ — Bryant and Rizzo working together to get the offense started — might be the biggest key of all to how the Cubs fare in the nothing-else-like-it season ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of the lineup — that ’ s no secret to anybody , I don ’ t think — and [ important ] to winning , ’ ’ Ross said in February .
‘ ‘ It just hits home with me.
’ ’ Why the change ?
The Cubs ’ fatal flaw last season , when they missed the playoffs for the only time in five seasons under Maddon , was their worst-in-baseball leadoff hitting .
But ‘ ‘ leadoff hitting ’ ’ is an oxymoron when you bat .212 and have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot — comically low numbers that sunk any chance the Cubs had to be a true contender in the National League .
Why Bryant ?
Partly because the Cubs have used 17 leadoff hitters since Fowler left and still are looking for something — anything — that resembles a solution to the problem .
But also because Bryant has skills that fit the bill and , equally important , because he wants to do it .
Critics will say Bryant ’ s power bat belongs lower in the lineup , but his career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any Cubs regular — and his excellent baserunning are major assets .
In 2017 , Bryant ’ s OBP was .409 .
If he gets anywhere near the .400 mark , everyone will be happy .
‘ ‘ Have you seen the back of his baseball card ?
’ ’ Rizzo said .
‘ ‘ He ’ s consistent , he gets on base and he ’ s arguably the best baserunner we have.
’ ’ And not to make too much of a four-month-old comment , but consider this from Ross : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our best player , and I want to put him at the top.
’ ’ There ’ s something to think about as the Cubs near their ‘ ‘ spring ’ ’ restart Wednesday : Is Bryant their best player ?
Many would say the list starts with Javy Baez , but now we ’ re off on a bit of a tangent .
Kyle Schwarber didn ’ t get it done leading off last season .
Jason Heyward didn ’ t get it done .
Albert Almora Jr. didn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
you get it .
So the job falls to Bryant , who , in the first at-bat of his baseball life — in T-ball — swung , connected and did what any future NL MVP might do : He took off in the wrong direction and ran to third base .
It probably will go better on Opening Day .

The Cubs and Dexter Fowler always will have their ‘‘You go, we go’’ magic of 2016.
Fowler couldn’t have given the Cubs much more than he did in the leadoff spot that season, when he got on base at a career-high .393 clip. It didn’t take hitting a home run on the fourth pitch of Game 7 of the World Series for Fowler to get the job done. He just needed to find his way to first base and let the bigger bats behind him go to work.
Yep, ‘‘You go, we go’’ — coined by then-manager Joe Maddon — sure had a nice, fun ring to it.
It beats the heck out of the Cubs’ leadoff slogan last season: ‘‘You stink, we sink.’’
Astute Cubs fans will remember a storyline that sprouted four months ago in Mesa, Arizona, about new manager David Ross’ leadoff plans for 2020. They can be summarized in two words: Kris Bryant. We might as well remind folks of the team’s new No. 2 hitter, too. He goes by Anthony Rizzo.
Perhaps you’ve heard of these guys.
Go ahead and lock them into the Nos. 1 and 2 spots for the entire 60-game season. Ross had them locked into those spots back when everyone thought there would be 162 games.
‘‘They go, we go’’ — Bryant and Rizzo working together to get the offense started — might be the biggest key of all to how the Cubs fare in the nothing-else-like-it season ahead.
‘‘Dynamic players at the top of the lineup — that’s no secret to anybody, I don’t think — and [important] to winning,’’ Ross said in February. ‘‘It just hits home with me.’’
Why the change? The Cubs’ fatal flaw last season, when they missed the playoffs for the only time in five seasons under Maddon, was their worst-in-baseball leadoff hitting. But ‘‘leadoff hitting’’ is an oxymoron when you bat .212 and have an on-base percentage of .294 from the top spot — comically low numbers that sunk any chance the Cubs had to be a true contender in the National League.
Why Bryant? Partly because the Cubs have used 17 leadoff hitters since Fowler left and still are looking for something — anything — that resembles a solution to the problem. But also because Bryant has skills that fit the bill and, equally important, because he wants to do it.
Critics will say Bryant’s power bat belongs lower in the lineup, but his career .385 OBP — easily the best of any Cubs regular — and his excellent baserunning are major assets. In 2017, Bryant’s OBP was .409. If he gets anywhere near the .400 mark, everyone will be happy.
‘‘Have you seen the back of his baseball card?’’ Rizzo said. ‘‘He’s consistent, he gets on base and he’s arguably the best baserunner we have.’’
And not to make too much of a four-month-old comment, but consider this from Ross: ‘‘I think that’s our best player, and I want to put him at the top.’’
There’s something to think about as the Cubs near their ‘‘spring’’ restart Wednesday: Is Bryant their best player? Many would say the list starts with Javy Baez, but now we’re off on a bit of a tangent.
Kyle Schwarber didn’t get it done leading off last season. Jason Heyward didn’t get it done. Albert Almora Jr. didn’t get it done. Daniel Descalso . . . you get it.
So the job falls to Bryant, who, in the first at-bat of his baseball life — in T-ball — swung, connected and did what any future NL MVP might do: He took off in the wrong direction and ran to third base.
It probably will go better on Opening Day.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--10 dead, 35 wounded in Chicago weekend shootings so far

Four children were among 45 people shot across Chicago so far this weekend , 10 of them fatally .
Three of the children were killed .
A 10-year-old girl was fatally shot Saturday night when a stray bullet hit her inside a Logan Square home on the Northwest Side .
She was inside the apartment about 9:40 p.m. in the 3500 block of West Dickens Avenue when the bullet came through a window and struck her in the head , Chicago police said .
She was taken to Stroger Hospital , where she was pronounced dead .
Neighbors said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said the shots may have come from a group of males who began firing at another group in the block .
Earlier that afternoon , a 1-year-old boy was killed and his mother was wounded in Englewood on the South Side .
The woman and her child were driving home from a laundromat just after 2 p.m. when a gunman pulled up alongside them in another vehicle and opened fire near 60th and Halsted streets , according to police .
The child was struck once in the chest , while his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head .
She drove them to St. Bernard Hospital , where the child died .
The mother was later taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment and her condition was stabilized .
Earlier that morning , a teenage boy was shot to death in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
The 17-year-old was in a large crowd at 11:25 a.m. in the 1300 block of North Monticello Avenue when he got into an altercation and someone from the group pulled out a gun and fired shots , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left side of his chest and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition , but later died .
The most recent fatal attack left a man dead early Sunday in Austin on the West Side .
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert for gunfire at 3:54 a.m. found the 28-year-old man lying unresponsive on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of North Mayfield Avenue , according to police .
He had been shot in the back and face and was pronounced dead at the scene .
Another man was killed and three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Douglas on the South Side .
The men were at a large gathering about 11:35 p.m. in the 3100 block of South Rhodes Avenue when they were struck by bullets , police said .
They were all taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center .
A 24-year-old man who was struck in the groin was pronounced dead .
Two 21-year-old men were shot in the leg .
One is in good condition , and the other is in fair condition .
A 22-year-old man was shot in the head and is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into custody for questioning .
Earlier that afternoon , another person was shot to death in Brighton Park on the Southwest Side .
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter call about 3:50 p.m. found the male unresponsive in the 4400 block of South Kedzie Avenue with a gunshot wound to his head , police said .
He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
Hours before that , a man was killed in a drive-by in Lawndale on the West Side .
About 10:25 a.m. , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Springfield Avenue when someone in a passing silver-colored vehicle opened fire , according to police .
The man , thought to be about 25 , was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition , but later died .
Nearly four hours earlier , a man was shot to death in Englewood .
He was sitting in a Chevrolet Tahoe about 6:50 a.m. in the 1100 block of West 57th Street when someone fired shots , according to police .
The man , thought to be about 30 , was hit in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Witnesses told investigators they saw a 2003 Nissan speeding away from the area after the shots were fired .
About half an hour before that , another man was killed in Burnside on the South Side .
The 33-year-old was shot multiple times in the shoulder during a domestic dispute about 6:20 a.m. in the 9300 block of South Lyon Avenue , police said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead .
A man was killed in the weekend ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Side .
The 42-year-old was on the sidewalk about 5:42 p.m. in the 200 block of North Leclaire Avenue when someone emerged from an alleyway and opened fire , Chicago police said .
The man was struck in the head and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
In nonfatal shootings , an 8-year-old girl was grazed by a stray bullet Saturday night inside a home in Englewood .
She was sitting on a couch at 11:18 p.m. inside the home on Wood Street when the stray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her on her head , according to police .
She was taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in fair condition .
The most recent nonfatal shooting left three people injured Sunday morning in Austin on the West Side .
They were outside with a group of other people at 4:26 a.m. in the 500 block of North Menard Avenue when someone fired at them from a passing vehicle , police said .
A 31-year-old man was shot in the chest and foot .
Someone drove him to West Suburban Medical Center in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35-year-old woman was taken to the same hospital in fair condition with a gunshot wound to her foot , police said .
A 37-year-old woman was shot in the leg and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition .
At least 27 other people have been injured by gunfire throughout the city since 5 p.m. Friday .
Last weekend ’ s gun violence reached a peak this year with 104 shot , 15 fatally .
Five children were among those killed .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

Four children were among 65 people shot across Chicago this weekend, 18 of them fatally. Three of the children were killed.
The weekend gun violence brought Chicago past 300 homicides so far this year, the benchmark that Supt. David Brown challenged the police department to stay under in April. Last year, the city didn’t break 300 homicides until early August, according to Sun-Times data.
Three children killed
A 10-year-old girl was fatally shot Saturday night when a stray bullet hit her inside a Logan Square home on the Northwest Side.
She was inside the apartment about 9:40 p.m. in the 3500 block of West Dickens Avenue when the bullet came through a window and struck her in the head, Chicago police said.
Lena Nunez was taken to Stroger Hospital, where she was pronounced dead hours later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Neighbors said they heard gunfire but believed it was fireworks. Police said the shots may have come from a group of males who began firing at another group in the block.
Earlier that afternoon, a 1-year-old boy was killed and his mother was wounded in Englewood on the South Side.
The woman and her child were driving home from a laundromat just after 2 p.m. when a gunman pulled up alongside them in another vehicle and opened fire near 60th and Halsted streets, according to police. The child was struck once in the chest, while his mother, 22, was grazed on the head. She drove them to St. Bernard Hospital, where the child died. The mother was later taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment and her condition was stabilized.
The medical examiner’s office identified the boy as Sincere A. Gaston. He lived in South Chicago.
Earlier that morning, a teenage boy was shot to death in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
Antiwon Douglas, 17, was in a large crowd at 11:25 a.m. in the 1100 block of North Monticello Avenue when he got into an altercation and someone from the group pulled out a gun and fired shots, authorities said. Douglas, who lived in Humboldt Park, was struck on the left side of his chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died.
Monday morning
The most recent fatal shooting happened early Monday in Brighton Park on the Southwest Side.
A 21-year-old man was walking about 2:22 a.m. in the 4400 block of South Whipple Street when a male suspect approached him and shot him in the face and leg, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Nearly two hours before that, a man was found shot to death in Humboldt Park.
Joseph Gisc, 22, was discovered inside a home with gunshot wounds to his chin and face at 12:39 a.m. in the 900 block of North Central Park Avenue, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sunday
Sunday night, 23-year-old Rayshaon Williams died of gunshot wounds after crashing his car and then collapsing outside in Garfield Park.
He was found unresponsive in the 4500 block of West Fulton Avenue with a gunshot wounds to his hip and pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. He appeared to have exited the car and collapsed on the ground after crashing into two parked cars in the 4500 block of West Maypole Avenue.
Earlier Sunday night, another man was killed in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
Terron S. Tate, 24, was walking about 8:40 p.m. in the 12100 block of South Michigan Avenue when someone in a black vehicle shot him in the head, back and shoulder, authorities said. Tate, who lived in West Pullman, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Three people were killed in separate shootings within 90 minutes Sunday morning.
The latest of those attacks left a 38-year-old man dead in Little Village on the Southwest Side.
He was walking in an alley about 8:30 a.m. in the 2500 block of South Troy Street when someone got out of an SUV, walked up to him and fired shots, striking him multiple times, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Just over an hour earlier, an 18-year-old man was shot to death in South Chicago.
Andrew Richmond was shot multiple times in the torso about 7:20 a.m. in the 8200 block of South Escanaba Avenue, officials said. He was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
About 20 minutes before that, another man was fatally shot in Rogers Park on the North Side.
Angelo D. Pullum, 36, was walking about 7 a.m. in the 1400 block of West Lunt Avenue when someone walked up to him and shot him in the back of the head, authorities said. The shooter then ran to a black SUV that sped off west on Lunt toward Clark Street. Pullum, who lives in Rogers Park, was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was pronounced dead.
Earlier that morning, a man was shot and killed in Austin on the West Side.
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert for gunfire at 3:54 a.m. found 28-year-old Demil D. Spears lying unresponsive on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of North Mayfield Avenue, authorities said. Spears, who lived in Lawndale, had been shot in the back and face and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Saturday
Another man was killed and three others were wounded late Saturday night in Douglas on the South Side.
The men were at a large gathering about 11:35 p.m. in the 3100 block of South Rhodes Avenue when they were struck by bullets, police said. They were all taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center. A 24-year-old man who was struck in the groin was pronounced dead. Two 21-year-old men were shot in the leg. One is in good condition, and the other is in fair condition. A 22-year-old man was shot in the head and is in critical condition. Detectives took two people into custody for questioning.
Earlier that afternoon, two people were killed in separate shootings in Brighton Park and South Shore.
In Brighton Park, officers responding to a ShotSpotter call about 3:50 p.m. found 31-year-old David Santoyo unresponsive in the 4400 block of South Kedzie Avenue with a gunshot wound to his head, authorities said. Santoyo, who lived in Chicago Lawn, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, a man was shot to death in South Shore about the same time.
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert found the man, 28, unresponsive in the 7600 block of South Phillips Avenue, police said. He had been shot in the chest, neck and arm. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he later died.
Hours before that, a man was killed in a drive-by in Lawndale on the West Side.
About 10:25 a.m., he was walking in the 1300 block of South Springfield Avenue when someone in a passing silver-colored vehicle opened fire, according to police. The man, identified by the medical examiner’s office as 28-year-old Deron Collins, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died.
Nearly four hours earlier, a man was shot to death in Englewood.
He was sitting in a Chevrolet Tahoe about 6:50 a.m. in the first block of West 57th Street when someone fired shots, according to police. The man, thought to be about 30, was hit in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses told investigators they saw a 2003 Nissan speeding away from the area after the shots were fired.
About half an hour before that, another man was killed in Burnside on the South Side.
Dangelo Byrd, 33, was shot multiple times in the shoulder during a domestic dispute about 6:20 a.m. in the 9300 block of South Lyon Avenue, officials said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Friday
A man was killed in the weekend’s first shooting Friday evening in Austin.
The 42-year-old was on the sidewalk about 5:42 p.m. in the 200 block of North Leclaire Avenue when someone emerged from an alleyway and opened fire, Chicago police said. The man was struck in the head and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Nonfatal attacks
In nonfatal shootings, an 8-year-old girl was grazed by a stray bullet Saturday night inside a home in Englewood.
She was sitting on a couch at 11:18 p.m. inside the home on Wood Street when the stray bullet came through the window and grazed her on her head, according to police. She was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in fair condition.
A woman was critically injured in a shooting Sunday morning in Rogers Park on the North Side.
The 31-year-old was riding in a vehicle at 5:42 a.m. in the 1700 block of West Juneway Terrace when someone fired shots, police said. A bullet came through the rear window and grazed the woman on the left side of her head. She went to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition.
Just over an hour before that, three people were shot in Austin.
They were outside with a group of other people at 4:26 a.m. in the 500 block of North Menard Avenue when someone fired at them from a passing vehicle, police said. A 31-year-old man was shot in the chest and foot. Someone drove him to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park in serious condition.
A 35-year-old woman was taken to the same hospital in fair condition with a gunshot wound to her foot, police said. A 37-year-old woman was shot in the leg and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition.
At least 38 other people have been injured by gunfire throughout the city between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Last weekend’s gun violence reached a peak this year with 104 shot, 15 fatally. Five children were among those killed.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--Chicago outdoors: Chicago River shoes mystery, suburban sandhill family, TV bass viewers, drunk boat

Chicago outdoors: Chicago River shoes mystery, suburban sandhill family, TV bass viewers, drunk boaters

Notes come from all over on Chicago outdoors .
Lynn and Tim Snell emailed from their home in Green Oaks in mid-June , “ To our surprise and excitement , a family of sandhill cranes has been taking a casual morning stroll though our yard over the last three days !
” “ Also , it may seem strange , but I ’ ve never seen so many shoes floating on the river .
They are everywhere.
” Jeff Nolan , on boating the Chicago River and sending the photo below .
A : I ’ ve got nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m inclined to add it to the oddities of 2020 .
If you have something better , let me know .
2.8 million : Estimated number of viewers of the return of Bassmaster Elite Series season and live , on-the-water action for four days on ESPN2 .
BASS reported , “ Between televised coverage on ESPN2 and the livestream on Bassmaster.com and ESPN3 , fans watched more than 85 million minutes of tournament coverage.
” “ When we talk about drunk driving , most people immediately associate it with getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they should remember the same problems occur when boat operators drive drunk/ Just like a car or truck , boats are large , heavy machinery that become extremely dangerous to operate when you ’ re under the influence .
Lt. Curt Lewis , boating law administrator , Illinois Conservation Police , with the usual needed warning ahead of the Fourth of July weekend .

Notes come from all over on Chicago outdoors.
FIELD NOTES
WILD OF THE WEEK
Lynn and Tim Snell emailed from their home in Green Oaks in mid-June, “To our surprise and excitement, a family of sandhill cranes has been taking a casual morning stroll though our yard over the last three days!”
It’s worth a wider shot of the family stroll.
A wide shot of the family of sandhill cranes that Lynn and Tim Snell had stroll their yard in Green Oaks this month on multiple mornings. Provided
WILD TIMES
ILLINOIS PERMITS
Tuesday, June 30: Deadline, second lottery for applications, fiream/muzzleloader deer season
DALE’S MAILBAG
“Also, it may seem strange, but I’ve never seen so many shoes floating on the river. They are everywhere.” Jeff Nolan, on boating the Chicago River and sending the photo below.
A: I’ve got nothing to explain that, not even a guess. I’m inclined to add it to the oddities of 2020. If you have something better, let me know.
An unusual number of shoes spotted along the Chicago River are one of the unusual sights during the pandemic, according to Jeff Nolan. Provided
BIG NUMBER
2.8 million: Estimated number of viewers of the return of Bassmaster Elite Series season and live, on-the-water action for four days on ESPN2. BASS reported, “Between televised coverage on ESPN2 and the livestream on Bassmaster.com and ESPN3, fans watched more than 85 million minutes of tournament coverage.”
LAST WORD
“When we talk about drunk driving, most people immediately associate it with getting behind the wheel of a car, but they should remember the same problems occur when boat operators drive drunk/ Just like a car or truck, boats are large, heavy machinery that become extremely dangerous to operate when you’re under the influence.
Lt. Curt Lewis, boating law administrator, Illinois Conservation Police, with the usual needed warning ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--3 shot in Austin drive-by

3 shot in Austin drive-by

Three people were injured in a drive-by Sunday in Austin on the West Side .
They were outside with a @ @ @ @ @ 4:26 a.m. in the 500 block of North Menard Avenue when someone fired at them @ @ @ @ @ according to Chicago police .
A 31-year-old man was shot in the chest and foot @ @ @ @ @ drove him to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park in serious condition .
A @ @ @ @ @ the same hospital in fair condition with a gunshot wound to her foot , police @ @ @ @ @ was shot in the leg and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition .
@ @ @ @ @ , a man was shot to death a few blocks away in the 1300 block @ @ @ @ @ No one is in custody as Area Four detectives investigate .
Read more on crime @ @ @ @ @ ’ s homicides .

Three people were injured in a drive-by Sunday in Austin on the West Side.
They were outside with a group of other people at 4:26 a.m. in the 500 block of North Menard Avenue when someone fired at them from a passing vehicle, according to Chicago police.
A 31-year-old man was shot in the chest and foot, police said. Someone drove him to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park in serious condition.
A 35-year-old woman was taken to the same hospital in fair condition with a gunshot wound to her foot, police said. A 37-year-old woman was shot in the leg and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition.
About half an hour earlier, a man was shot to death a few blocks away in the 1300 block of North Mayfield Avenue.
No one is in custody as Area Four detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--Dear Abby: I’m hurt that neighbors didn’t thank me for my thank-you

DEAR ABBY : A few months ago , new neighbors moved in next door .
They have been very nice and helpful .
I work a lot , so they have done things like grab packages or take care of little things like bringing in my trash can .
I have thanked them many times , but three weeks ago I decided to do something extra special .
I bought a lovely thank-you card and put a $ 100 restaurant gift card inside .
I knocked on their door and handed it to the husband .
Abby , I haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from them .
I don ’ t want to seem petty , but part of me is hurt by their lack of acknowledgment .
They have my number , and I ’ m obviously home at a certain hour of the day .
Do you think that because they helped me out , they felt they deserved my gift and a thank-you wasn ’ t necessary ?
I am at the point where I no longer want them to do anything for me .
Am I being petty , or do I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UNAPPRECIATED IN NEW YORK DEAR UNAPPRECIATED : Yes , you are being petty .
You are essentially bemoaning not getting a thank-you for a thank-you .
Your neighbors may not have said anything because they were overwhelmed by your generosity .
The next time you see the husband or the wife , ask if your display of gratitude may have made them uncomfortable .
But in the interest of good relations , please stop judging them as harshly as you have .
DEAR ABBY : I have three beautiful daughters .
The oldest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About a year ago , my middle daughter went to visit her .
My older daughter said something about politics that the younger one didn ’ t like , and since then the younger one refuses to communicate with her , which is breaking my heart .
My older daughter asked if I could help by talking to her .
They used to be close and now this .
I tried talking to the younger one .
She said she loves her older sister and for me to let her handle it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has been three months and — nothing .
What can I do ?
— MOM REFEREE IN OREGON DEAR MOM REFEREE : Too many things have become politicized lately , and it is to the detriment of relationships both personal and professional .
If “ change begins at home , ” let it start with you .
Step back , stop counting the days and refuse to be put in the middle of this .
Whatever their disagreement was , the problem is theirs to resolve , not yours .
DEAR ABBY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and came across a 14-karat gold crucifix pendant she had found in front of our family ’ s house decades ago .
Being nonreligious , my sister didn ’ t know what to do with it .
She didn ’ t want to be disrespectful by improperly disposing of it , so she kept it .
I offered it to someone I know , but she doesn ’ t need another crucifix , so I ’ d like to know what should be done with it .
Is there an organization that handles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOT RELIGIOUS DEAR R.N.R .
: If selling the crucifix doesn ’ t interest you , contact the nearest Christian church and talk to someone there about donating it so it can be given to someone who needs it , such as a recent convert or a newly confirmed young person .
I am sure your offer would be appreciated .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CA 90069 .
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets : “ Abby ’ s Favorite Recipes ” and “ More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 16 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Cookbooklet Set , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: A few months ago, new neighbors moved in next door. They have been very nice and helpful. I work a lot, so they have done things like grab packages or take care of little things like bringing in my trash can.
I have thanked them many times, but three weeks ago I decided to do something extra special. I bought a lovely thank-you card and put a $100 restaurant gift card inside. I knocked on their door and handed it to the husband.
Abby, I haven’t received any type of thank-you from them. I don’t want to seem petty, but part of me is hurt by their lack of acknowledgment. They have my number, and I’m obviously home at a certain hour of the day. Do you think that because they helped me out, they felt they deserved my gift and a thank-you wasn’t necessary? I am at the point where I no longer want them to do anything for me. Am I being petty, or do I have a right to feel hurt? — UNAPPRECIATED IN NEW YORK
DEAR UNAPPRECIATED: Yes, you are being petty. You are essentially bemoaning not getting a thank-you for a thank-you. Your neighbors may not have said anything because they were overwhelmed by your generosity. The next time you see the husband or the wife, ask if your display of gratitude may have made them uncomfortable. But in the interest of good relations, please stop judging them as harshly as you have.
DEAR ABBY: I have three beautiful daughters. The oldest moved to Wisconsin some years ago. About a year ago, my middle daughter went to visit her. My older daughter said something about politics that the younger one didn’t like, and since then the younger one refuses to communicate with her, which is breaking my heart. My older daughter asked if I could help by talking to her. They used to be close and now this.
I tried talking to the younger one. She said she loves her older sister and for me to let her handle it. She promised she would contact her. It has been three months and — nothing. What can I do? — MOM REFEREE IN OREGON
DEAR MOM REFEREE: Too many things have become politicized lately, and it is to the detriment of relationships both personal and professional. If “change begins at home,” let it start with you. Step back, stop counting the days and refuse to be put in the middle of this. Whatever their disagreement was, the problem is theirs to resolve, not yours.
DEAR ABBY: My sister was spring cleaning recently and came across a 14-karat gold crucifix pendant she had found in front of our family’s house decades ago. Being nonreligious, my sister didn’t know what to do with it. She didn’t want to be disrespectful by improperly disposing of it, so she kept it. I offered it to someone I know, but she doesn’t need another crucifix, so I’d like to know what should be done with it. Is there an organization that handles this sort of thing? — RESPECTFULLY NOT RELIGIOUS
DEAR R.N.R.: If selling the crucifix doesn’t interest you, contact the nearest Christian church and talk to someone there about donating it so it can be given to someone who needs it, such as a recent convert or a newly confirmed young person. I am sure your offer would be appreciated.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--Girl, 8, grazed by bullet in Englewood home

An 8-year-old girl was injured Saturday when a bullet flew through the window of an Englewood home on the South @ @ @ @ @ on a couch at 11:18 p.m. inside the home on Wood Street when the stray @ @ @ @ @ and grazed her on her head , according to Chicago police .
She was taken @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in fair condition .
It was not immediately clear where the shots were fired @ @ @ @ @ No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate .
Hours earlier , a @ @ @ @ @ by a bullet that flew through the window of a Logan Square apartment on the @ @ @ @ @ afternoon , a 1-year-old boy was fatally shot in Englewood .
A 17-year-old boy was @ @ @ @ @ that morning in Humboldt Park .
Last weekend , 12 minors were among 104 people @ @ @ @ @ that left 15 people dead .
Read more on crime , and track the city @ @ @ @

An 8-year-old girl was injured Saturday when a bullet flew through the window of an Englewood home on the South Side.
She was sitting on a couch at 11:18 p.m. inside the home on Wood Street when the stray bullet came through the window and grazed her on her head, according to Chicago police. She was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in fair condition.
It was not immediately clear where the shots were fired from, police said. No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.
Hours earlier, a 10-year-old girl was killed by a bullet that flew through the window of a Logan Square apartment on the Northwest Side.
Earlier Saturday afternoon, a 1-year-old boy was fatally shot in Englewood. A 17-year-old boy was also killed in another shooting that morning in Humboldt Park.
Last weekend, 12 minors were among 104 people shot in citywide gun violence that left 15 people dead.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-27--Girl, 13, missing from Lawndale

Girl, 13, missing from Lawndale

Police are looking for a 13-year-old girl missing from Lawndale on the West Side .
Mercedes Crumpton was last seen @ @ @ @ @ the 800 block of South Keeler Avenue , Chicago police said .
She was known @ @ @ @ @ and black furry sandals .
Crumpton may be carrying a white leather purse with sequins @ @ @ @ @ .
She has a scar on her nose and long braids .
The teen is @ @ @ @ @ has brown eyes and black hair , police said .
She frequents the area of @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone with information about her is asked to call Area Four detectives at 312-746-8255 @

Police are looking for a 13-year-old girl missing from Lawndale on the West Side.
Mercedes Crumpton was last seen Friday and is missing from the 800 block of South Keeler Avenue, Chicago police said. She was known to wear a black dress and black furry sandals.
Crumpton may be carrying a white leather purse with sequins on it, police said. She has a scar on her nose and long braids.
The teen is 5-foot-5, 100 pounds and has brown eyes and black hair, police said. She frequents the area of Cicero Avenue and Adams Street.
Anyone with information about her is asked to call Area Four detectives at 312-746-8255.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-27--Red Stars fall to Washington Spirit in their NWSL season opener

HERRIMAN , Utah — Rose Lavelle and Ashley Hatch each scored to give the Washington Spirit a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women ’ s Soccer League ’ s Challenge Cup on Saturday night .
The NWSL became the first professional team sport in the United States to return amid coronavirus earlier in the day when the North Carolina Courage defeated the Portland Thorns 2-1 at Zions Bank Stadium .
The Challenge Cup is being played without fans in attendance .
Most players knelt during the national anthem to protest racial inequity and there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her arm around teammate Casey Short .
All of the players also knelt for a moment of silence before kickoff .
Lavelle , who scored for the United States in the World Cup final last summer in France , blasted a rebound goal in the eighth minute to give the Spirit the early lead .
Hatch added a second goal just seconds into the second half , challenging Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher then breaking free for the goal .
“ We ’ ve been training hard in D.C. and we were all kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a game .
For some people they haven ’ t played since the end of last season .
So we were definitely really excited and it was great to be back on there , ” Lavelle said .
Morgan Gautrat , known previously by her maiden name Brian , pulled a goal back for the Red Stars in the 51st minute .
“ The game stopped so much after we scored , regardless if it was the referee letting subs in or somebody hurt .
It just seemed like the game kept stopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhythm , ” Chicago coach Rory Dames said .
“ But it was good , there will be a lot of things to learn out of this .
We said we were going to script the first three games , we kept with the script that we had tonight , and we ’ ll continue on with that for the next two.
” The NWSL ’ s teams had opened preseason training camps but had not played any games when the league shut down on March 12 .
The eight teams taking part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Utah for the duration of the monthlong tournament and must follow a strict protocol that includes frequent testing .
The league ’ s ninth team , the Orlando Pride , was forced to withdraw earlier this week because of multiple positive COVID-19 tests among players and staff .
Red Stars are playing this season without Sam Kerr , who led the league last season with 18 goals and holds the league ’ s career record .
Players also knelt for the anthem in the opening game .
“ I ’ m grateful for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I feel the need to support the Black Lives Matter movement because I know this privilege isn ’ t the same for everyone .
This is just the start .
There is much more work to be done , ” said Spirit coach Richie Burke , who joined the players in keeling .
The Red Stars next play the North Carolina Courage at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday .

HERRIMAN, Utah — Rose Lavelle and Ashley Hatch each scored to give the Washington Spirit a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup on Saturday night.
The NWSL became the first professional team sport in the United States to return amid coronavirus earlier in the day when the North Carolina Courage defeated the Portland Thorns 2-1 at Zions Bank Stadium. The Challenge Cup is being played without fans in attendance.
Most players knelt during the national anthem to protest racial inequity and there was an emotional moment when Julie Ertz put her arm around teammate Casey Short. All of the players also knelt for a moment of silence before kickoff.
Lavelle, who scored for the United States in the World Cup final last summer in France, blasted a rebound goal in the eighth minute to give the Spirit the early lead.
Hatch added a second goal just seconds into the second half, challenging Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher then breaking free for the goal.
“We’ve been training hard in D.C. and we were all kind of itching to get back to playing a game. For some people they haven’t played since the end of last season. So we were definitely really excited and it was great to be back on there,” Lavelle said.
Morgan Gautrat, known previously by her maiden name Brian, pulled a goal back for the Red Stars in the 51st minute.
“The game stopped so much after we scored, regardless if it was the referee letting subs in or somebody hurt. It just seemed like the game kept stopping so it was hard to find a rhythm,” Chicago coach Rory Dames said. “But it was good, there will be a lot of things to learn out of this. We said we were going to script the first three games, we kept with the script that we had tonight, and we’ll continue on with that for the next two.”
The NWSL’s teams had opened preseason training camps but had not played any games when the league shut down on March 12.
The eight teams taking part in the Challenge Cup are sequestered in Utah for the duration of the monthlong tournament and must follow a strict protocol that includes frequent testing.
The league’s ninth team, the Orlando Pride, was forced to withdraw earlier this week because of multiple positive COVID-19 tests among players and staff.
Red Stars are playing this season without Sam Kerr, who led the league last season with 18 goals and holds the league’s career record.
Players also knelt for the anthem in the opening game.
“I’m grateful for everything this country has given me, but I feel the need to support the Black Lives Matter movement because I know this privilege isn’t the same for everyone. This is just the start. There is much more work to be done,” said Spirit coach Richie Burke, who joined the players in keeling.
The Red Stars next play the North Carolina Courage at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--14 dead, 42 wounded in Chicago weekend shootings so far

Four children were among 56 people shot across Chicago so far this weekend , 14 of them fatally .
Three of the children were killed .
A 10-year-old girl was fatally shot Saturday night when a stray bullet hit her inside a Logan Square home on the Northwest Side .
She was inside the apartment about 9:40 p.m. in the 3500 block of West Dickens Avenue when the bullet came through a window and struck her in the head , Chicago police said .
Lina Nunez was taken to Stroger Hospital , where she was pronounced dead hours later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office .
Neighbors said they heard gunfire but believed it was fireworks .
Police said the shots may have come from a group of males who began firing at another group in the block .
Earlier that afternoon , a 1-year-old boy was killed and his mother was wounded in Englewood on the South Side .
The woman and her child were driving home from a laundromat just after 2 p.m. when a gunman pulled up alongside them in another vehicle and opened fire near 60th and Halsted streets , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once in the chest , while his mother , 22 , was grazed on the head .
She drove them to St. Bernard Hospital , where the child died .
The mother was later taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment and her condition was stabilized .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office identified the boy as Sincere A. Gaston .
He lived in South Chicago .
Earlier that morning , a teenage boy was shot to death in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
Antiwon Douglas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd at 11:25 a.m. in the 1100 block of North Monticello Avenue when he got into an altercation and someone from the group pulled out a gun and fired shots , authorities said .
Douglas , who lived in Humboldt Park , was struck on the left side of his chest and taken to Stroger Hospital , where he died .
Three people were killed in separate shootings within 90 minutes Sunday morning .
The latest fatal attack left a 38-year-old man dead in Little Village on the Southwest Side .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2500 block of South Troy Street when someone got out of an SUV , walked up to him and fired shots , striking him multiple times , police said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
Just over an hour earlier , an 18-year-old man was shot to death in South Chicago .
Andrew Richmond was shot multiple times in the torso about 7:20 a.m. in the 8200 block of South Escanaba Avenue , officials said .
He was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center , where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before that , a man was fatally shot in Rogers Park on the North Side .
The 19-year-old was walking about 7 a.m. in the 1400 block of West Lunt Avenue when someone walked up to him and shot him in the back of the head , police said .
The shooter then ran to a black SUV that sped off west on Lunt Avenue towards Clark Street .
The 19-year-old was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston where he was pronounced dead , police said .
Earlier Sunday morning , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the West Side .
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert for gunfire at 3:54 a.m. found the 28-year-old man lying unresponsive on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of North Mayfield Avenue , according to police .
He had been shot in the back and face and was pronounced dead at the scene .
Another man was killed and three others were wounded late Saturday night in Douglas on the South Side .
The men were at a large gathering about 11:35 p.m. in the 3100 block of South Rhodes Avenue when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
They were all taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center .
A 24-year-old man who was struck in the groin was pronounced dead .
Two 21-year-old men were shot in the leg .
One is in good condition , and the other is in fair condition .
A 22-year-old man was shot in the head and is in critical condition .
Detectives took two people into custody for questioning .
Earlier that afternoon , two people were killed in separate shootings at the same time in Brighton Park and South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to a ShotSpotter call about 3:50 p.m. found 31-year-old David Santoyo unresponsive in the 4400 block of South Kedzie Avenue with a gunshot wound to his head , authorities said .
Santoyo , who lived in Chicago Lawn , was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead .
Meanwhile , a man was shot to death in South Shore at exactly the same time .
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert found the man , 28 , unresponsive in the 7600 block of South Phillips Avenue , Chicago police said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , neck and arm .
The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he later died , according to the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office .
He has not yet been identified but an autopsy ruled his death a homicide , saying he died of his injuries .
Hours before that , a man was killed in a drive-by in Lawndale on the West Side .
About 10:25 a.m. , he was walking in the 1300 block of South Springfield Avenue when someone in a passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
The man , identified by the medical examiner ’ s office as 28-year-old Deron Collins , was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he died .
Nearly four hours earlier , a man was shot to death in Englewood .
He was sitting in a Chevrolet Tahoe about 6:50 a.m. in the first block of West 57th Street when someone fired shots , according to police .
The man , thought to be about 30 , was hit in the head and pronounced dead at the scene .
Witnesses told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the area after the shots were fired .
About half an hour before that , another man was killed in Burnside on the South Side .
Dangelo Byrd , 33 , was shot multiple times in the shoulder during a domestic dispute about 6:20 a.m. in the 9300 block of South Lyon Avenue , officials said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead .
A man was killed in the weekend ’ s first shooting Friday evening in Austin .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. in the 200 block of North Leclaire Avenue when someone emerged from an alleyway and opened fire , Chicago police said .
The man was struck in the head and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
In nonfatal shootings , an 8-year-old girl was grazed by a stray bullet Saturday night inside a home in Englewood .
She was sitting on a couch at 11:18 p.m. inside the home on Wood Street when the stray bullet came through the window and grazed her on her head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in fair condition .
A woman was critically injured in a shooting Sunday morning in Rogers Park on the North Side .
The 31-year-old was riding in a vehicle at 5:42 a.m. in the 1700 block of West Juneway Terrace when someone fired shots , police said .
A bullet came through the rear window and grazed the woman on the left side of her head .
She went to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition .
Just over an hour before that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They were outside with a group of other people at 4:26 a.m. in the 500 block of North Menard Avenue when someone fired at them from a passing vehicle , police said .
A 31-year-old man was shot in the chest and foot .
Someone drove him to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park in serious condition .
A 35-year-old woman was taken to the same hospital in fair condition with a gunshot wound to her foot , police said .
A 37-year-old woman was shot in the leg and taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least 33 other people have been injured by gunfire throughout the city since 5 p.m. Friday .
Last weekend ’ s gun violence reached a peak this year with 104 shot , 15 fatally .
Five children were among those killed .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--As more kids fall victim to gun violence, community leaders offer rewards, seek solutions: ‘We’re in

As more kids fall victim to gun violence, community leaders offer rewards, seek solutions: ‘We’re in a state of emergency here in Chicago’

With Chicago ’ s gun violence surging as the summer heats up , community leaders were left searching for answers Sunday after three minors were killed and another child was wounded over a 12-hour span a day earlier .
Antiwon Douglas , 17 , was the first to fall victim to the violence when he was fatally shot about 11:25 a.m. Saturday amid an altercation in Humboldt Park .
Then , just after 2 p.m. , 1-year-old Sincere Gaston was shot to death and his mother was wounded just after 2 p.m. as she drove home from a laundromat in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lina Nunez was fatally struck by a bullet that tore through a window of her uncle ’ s apartment in Logan Square .
And at 11:18 p.m. , another stray bullet grazed an 8-year-old girl who was watching television inside an apartment less than two miles from where Douglas was killed .
Fifty-two other people have also been wounded in weekend shootings , including 11 others who were shot to death , according to data maintained by the Chicago Sun-Times .
The latest toll follows another devastating weekend that left 12 minors shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenagers who were fatally wounded .
Rev .
Michael Pfleger , a longtime crusader against gun violence who leads St. Sabina Church in Gresham , declared that Chicago is now “ in a state of emergency ” and demanded that political leaders work together to address the violence , the strained relationship between the community and the Chicago Police Department and other systemic problems that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ In the 45 years I ’ ve ministered at St. Sabina , I ’ ve never felt more hopelessness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do right now , ” said Pfleger .
‘ It could be our kid next time ’ He and other activists have now pledged at least $ 39,000 for information leading to an arrest in the killing of Sincere Gaston , the 1-year-old who police said was shot and killed when another vehicle pulled up beside his mother ’ s car near the intersection of Halsted and 60th streets and someone inside opened fire .
Early Walker , owner of W & W Towing in Dixmoor , held a news conference Sunday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and offered up $ 25,000 in reward money as he launched an organization dedicated to raising funds to help solve shootings that victimize children , women and the elderly .
For Walker , who has his own 1-year-old son , the recent violence has hit close to home .
“ It could be our kid next time , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the mentality that we have to start taking.
” Walker hopes the “ high value rewards ” incentivize tipsters who would otherwise be afraid to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if no one comes forward , added Walker , who also vowed to use money that ’ s raised to help cover the legal fees of suspects who turn themselves in before they ’ re identified .
The latest spate of violence comes after 15 people were killed and 89 others were wounded in shootings last weekend , according to Sun-Times data .
Those grim figures were recorded just three weeks after 18 people were gunned down May 31 , marking Chicago ’ s single-most violent day in six decades .
That weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others were shot as rioting and looting broke out in the wake of the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Walker has also contributed the same amount of money toward a $ 38,000 reward seeking information about last weekend ’ s killing of 3-year-old Mekhi James in Austin .
“ We ’ re tired of losing our kids , most importantly , to senseless gun violence , ” said Walker , who dubbed his new initiative I ’ m Telling , Don ’ t Shoot .
‘ We need a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Shawn Ford , D-Chicago , also announced the formation of a task force Sunday that seeks “ to address the uptick in shootings and violence during these stressful and uncertain times.
” With support from community health care partners , the West Side Behavioral Health Task Force aims to offer support “ for those causing violence and those who are victims of violence who are dealing with trauma , stress and depression , ” according to a statement .
Ford , who will formally announce the task force during a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also called on federal , state , county and city leaders to work with the task force , echoing Pfleger ’ s call for a unified response to the violence .
While Pfleger dismissed President Donald Trump ’ s recent appeal offering support to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , he said leaders from all levels need to come together to identify ways the federal government can provide resources to help impacted communities .
“ We don ’ t need any more rhetoric or any more talk , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because people are dying.
” But community activist and former aldermanic candidate Raul Montes Jr. said in a Little Village news conference that Chicago ’ s summer gun violence has overwhelmed police .
He criticized Lightfoot and protesters who have called for or supported police defunding , and asked for President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress to “ intervene ” with more federal funding .
“ We don ’ t have enough police officers right now , so why defund the police ?
” Montes said .
“ These children , innocent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s too many guns on the streets .
The police , their hands are tied , they feel they can ’ t do their jobs ... with all the scrutiny .
”

With Chicago’s gun violence surging as the summer heats up, community leaders were left searching for answers Sunday after three minors were killed and another child was wounded over a 12-hour span a day earlier.
Antiwon Douglas, 17, was the first to fall victim to the violence when he was fatally shot about 11:25 a.m. Saturday amid an altercation in Humboldt Park.
Then, just after 2 p.m., 1-year-old Sincere Gaston was shot to death and his mother was wounded as she drove home from a laundromat in Englewood.
Within eight hours, 10-year-old Lena Nunez was fatally struck by a bullet that tore through a window of an apartment in Logan Square.
And at 11:18 p.m., another stray bullet grazed an 8-year-old girl who was watching television inside an apartment less than 2 miles from where Douglas was killed.
Sixty-one other people have also been wounded in weekend shootings, including 15 others who were shot to death, according to data maintained by the Chicago Sun-Times. The latest toll follows another devastating weekend that left 12 minors shot, including a 3-year-old boy and four teenagers who were fatally wounded.
The weekend gun violence brought Chicago past 300 homicides so far this year, the benchmark that Supt. David Brown challenged the police department to stay under in April. Last year, the city didn’t break 300 homicides until early August, according to Sun-Times data.
The Rev. Michael Pfleger, a longtime crusader against gun violence who leads St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham, declared that Chicago is now “in a state of emergency” and demanded that political leaders work together to address the violence, the strained relationship between the community and the Chicago Police Department and other systemic problems that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In the 45 years I’ve ministered at St. Sabina, I’ve never felt more hopelessness and despair in the neighborhood as I do right now,” said Pfleger.
‘It could be our kid next time’
He and other activists have now pledged at least $39,000 for information leading to an arrest in Gaston’s killing. Police said the 1-year-old was shot and killed when another vehicle pulled up beside his mother’s car near the intersection of Halsted and 60th streets and someone inside opened fire.
Sincere Gaston, 1, was shot and killed Saturday in Englewood. Facebook
Early Walker, owner of W&W Towing in Dixmoor, held a news conference Sunday morning alongside Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) and offered up $25,000 in reward money as he launched an organization dedicated to raising funds to help solve shootings that victimize children, women and the elderly.
For Walker, who has his own 1-year-old son, the recent violence has hit close to home.
“It could be our kid next time,” he said. “That’s the mentality that we have to start taking.”
Walker hopes the “high value rewards” incentivize tipsters who would otherwise be afraid to speak out. The rewards will double weekly if no one comes forward, added Walker, who also vowed to use money that’s raised to help cover the legal fees of suspects who turn themselves in before they’re identified.
The latest spate of violence comes after 15 people were killed and 89 others were wounded in shootings last weekend, according to Sun-Times data.
Those grim figures were recorded just three weeks after 18 people were gunned down May 31, marking Chicago’s single-most violent day in six decades. That weekend, 25 people were killed and 85 others were shot as rioting and looting broke out in the wake of the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Walker has also contributed the same amount of money toward a $38,000 reward seeking information about last weekend’s killing of 3-year-old Mekhi James in Austin.
Mekhi James’ touch a picture of him before a press conference on June 24, 2020. Mekhi James, who was three years old, was shot while his father was driving him home on Father’s Day Weekend. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
“We’re tired of losing our kids, most importantly, to senseless gun violence,” said Walker, who dubbed his new initiative I’m Telling, Don’t Shoot.
‘We need a plan because people are dying’
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, also announced the formation of a task force Sunday that seeks “to address the uptick in shootings and violence during these stressful and uncertain times.”
With support from community health care partners, the West Side Behavioral Health Task Force aims to offer support “for those causing violence and those who are victims of violence who are dealing with trauma, stress and depression,” according to a statement.
Ford, who will formally announce the task force during a news conference Monday at Loretto Hospital in Austin, also called on federal, state, county and city leaders to work with the task force, echoing Pfleger’s call for a unified response to the violence.
While Pfleger dismissed President Donald Trump’s recent appeal offering support to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, he said leaders from all levels need to come together to identify ways the federal government can provide resources to help impacted communities.
“We don’t need any more rhetoric or any more talk,” he said. “We need a plan because people are dying.”
But community activist and former aldermanic candidate Raul Montes Jr. said in a Little Village news conference that Chicago’s summer gun violence has overwhelmed police. He criticized Lightfoot and protesters who have called for or supported police defunding and asked for President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress to “intervene” with more federal funding.
“We don’t have enough police officers right now, so why defund the police?” Montes said. “These children, innocent bystanders, are losing their lives because there’s too many guns on the streets. The police, their hands are tied, they feel they can’t do their jobs ... with all the scrutiny.”
Contributing: Ben Pope


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--Man, 69, fatally struck by vehicle in Hines

A 69-year-old man died after being hit by a vehicle last week in west suburban unincorporated Hines .
Kevin Poczatek @ @ @ @ @ about 10:10 p.m. June 23 near Roosevelt Road and Fifth Avenue , according to the @ @ @ @ @ s office .
He died the next day at the Loyola University Medical Center .
@ @ @ @ @ of his injuries , and his death was ruled an accident , according to the @ @ @ @ @ .

A 69-year-old man died after being hit by a vehicle last week in west suburban unincorporated Hines.
Kevin Poczatek was struck by a vehicle about 10:10 p.m. June 23 near Roosevelt Road and Fifth Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He died the next day at the Loyola University Medical Center.
An autopsy said Poczatek died of his injuries, and his death was ruled an accident, according to the medical examiner’s office.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--Richton Park man killed in Harvey shooting

A man was shot to death Friday in south suburban Harvey .
Tony Gilford , 45 , was shot multiple @ @ @ @ @ the 14500 block of Des Plaines Street , according to the Cook County medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ autopsy Sunday said he died of his injuries , and ruled his death a homicide @ @ @ @ @ south suburb of Richton Park , the medical examiner ’ s office said .
Harvey @ @ @ @ @ a request for details .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

A man was shot to death Friday in south suburban Harvey.
Tony Gilford, 45, was shot multiple times about 8:30 a.m. in the 14500 block of Des Plaines Street, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy Sunday said he died of his injuries, and ruled his death a homicide.
Gilford lived in the south suburb of Richton Park, the medical examiner’s office said.
Harvey police did not immediately return a request for details.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--Kinzinger wants Congress to boycott Zoom for caving to China over Tiananmen Square memorials

Rep. Adam Kinzinger , R-Ill. , said he wants Congress to stop using Zoom , calling for a boycott because of potential cybersecurity issues and the company ’ s decision to comply with the Chinese government ’ s request to block the accounts of activists marking the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre .
Kinzinger ’ s drive to not conduct any federal business on Zoom was a factor in his deciding not to make a video appearance Thursday on the Chicago Sun-Times “ At the Virtual Table ” show .
The Sun-Times used Zoom , a video conferencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic , to host the show , with the content available for viewing on Facebook Live .
Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington and I are co-hosts .
In May 1989 , as History.com recounts , “ nearly a million Chinese , mostly young students , crowded into central Beijing to protest for greater democracy and call for the resignations of Chinese Communist Party leaders deemed too repressive .
On June 4 , 1989 , “ Chinese troops and security police stormed through Tiananmen Square , firing indiscriminately into the crowds of protesters.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomats on the scene , “ at least 300 , and perhaps thousands ” of protesters were killed .
Kinzinger in a statement said during this pandemic , “ reliance on video conferencing has been critical in staying connected , ” and though Zoom use is booming , “ I have become increasingly concerned by the platform ’ s censoring on behalf of the Chinese government , as well as security vulnerabilities .
“ Earlier this month , we learned that several pro-democracy activists in the United States and Hong Kong had their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hosting commemorative video-vigils on the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing.
” Kinzinger said given “ the availability of other video platforms , federal business should not be conducted on this platform until these concerns can be alleviated .
“ In the interest of security , we have to recognize our vulnerabilities , and in the interest of free speech , we have to take action when that freedom is threatened.
” Kinzinger ’ s office arranged to join the Sun-Times show by phone , but as it turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all because of votes .
Kinzinger spokesman Maura Gillespie said the office will not use Zoom .
“ If the congressman is invited to do a virtual event that is using Zoom , we try to find an alternate option .
“ Last night , the congressman ’ s voting time directly conflicted with the virtual interview for ‘ At the Table , ’ so he was unable to call in and participate.
” Zoom admitted on June 11 that in April and May the company went along with Chinese government requests to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 4th commemoration meetings were to be discussed .
In April , Zoom said in a blog post that the explosion of use found the company grappling with new issues .
“ We did not design the product with the foresight that , in a matter of weeks , every person in the world would suddenly be working , studying , and socializing from home .
We now have a much broader set of users who are utilizing our product in a myriad of unexpected ways , presenting us with challenges we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Following the Tiananmen Square related blocking , the company said it has changed its policies , stating in a June 11 blog post , “ We suspended or terminated the host accounts , one in Hong Kong SAR and two in the U.S. We have reinstated these three host accounts.
” Kinzinger is a member of the House GOP China Task Force , created last May in the wake of China ’ s lack of cooperation and transparency in dealing with the pandemic , which originated in China .
He has legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparent in dealing with U.S. intellectual property , manufactured goods and internet issues .

Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said he wants Congress to stop using Zoom, calling for a boycott because of potential cybersecurity issues and the company’s decision to comply with the Chinese government’s request to block the accounts of activists marking the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
Kinzinger’s drive to not conduct any federal business on Zoom was a factor in his deciding not to make a video appearance Thursday on the Chicago Sun-Times “At the Virtual Table” show.
The Sun-Times used Zoom, a video conferencing tool skyrocketing in popularity because of the COVID-19 pandemic, to host the show, with the content available for viewing on Facebook Live. Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington and I are co-hosts.
Opinion bug Opinion
In May 1989, as History.com recounts, “nearly a million Chinese, mostly young students, crowded into central Beijing to protest for greater democracy and call for the resignations of Chinese Communist Party leaders deemed too repressive. On June 4, 1989, “Chinese troops and security police stormed through Tiananmen Square, firing indiscriminately into the crowds of protesters.”
According to estimates from reporters and Western diplomats on the scene, “at least 300, and perhaps thousands” of protesters were killed.
Kinzinger in a statement said during this pandemic, “reliance on video conferencing has been critical in staying connected,” and though Zoom use is booming, “I have become increasingly concerned by the platform’s censoring on behalf of the Chinese government, as well as security vulnerabilities.
“Earlier this month, we learned that several pro-democracy activists in the United States and Hong Kong had their Zoom accounts shut down for sharing videos and hosting commemorative video-vigils on the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing.”
Kinzinger said given “the availability of other video platforms, federal business should not be conducted on this platform until these concerns can be alleviated.
“In the interest of security, we have to recognize our vulnerabilities, and in the interest of free speech, we have to take action when that freedom is threatened.”
Kinzinger’s office arranged to join the Sun-Times show by phone, but as it turned out, he did not appear at all because of votes. Kinzinger spokesman Maura Gillespie said the office will not use Zoom. “If the congressman is invited to do a virtual event that is using Zoom, we try to find an alternate option.
“Last night, the congressman’s voting time directly conflicted with the virtual interview for ‘At the Table,’ so he was unable to call in and participate.”
Zoom admitted on June 11 that in June and May the company went along with Chinese government requests to block Zoom accounts where details about public June 4th commemoration meetings were to be discussed.
In April, Zoom said in a blog post that the explosion of use found the company grappling with new issues. “We did not design the product with the foresight that, in a matter of weeks, every person in the world would suddenly be working, studying, and socializing from home. We now have a much broader set of users who are utilizing our product in a myriad of unexpected ways, presenting us with challenges we did not anticipate when the platform was conceived.”
Following the Tiananmen Square related blocking, the company said it has changed its policies, stating in a June 11 blog post, “We suspended or terminated the host accounts, one in Hong Kong SAR and two in the U.S. We have reinstated these three host accounts.”
Kinzinger is a member of the House GOP China Task Force, created last May in the wake of China’s lack of cooperation and transparency in dealing with the pandemic, which originated in China. He has legislation pending pressuring the Chinese to be more transparent in dealing with U.S. intellectual property, manufactured goods and internet issues.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--No big deal, Jose Quintana — just be like (what’s his name again?) Tom Brady

This might sound like a stretch , but left-hander Jose Quintana is the closest thing the Cubs have to Tom Brady .
Please , bear with us .
It ’ s true .
Quintana literally was with the superstar quarterback Sunday and posted a photo of the two — on a street , presumably in or near Tampa , Florida — to his Instagram .
Let the record show that Brady , heading into his first season with the Buccaneers , was seated on an electric scooter in the photo and — whom are we kidding ?
— looking fabulous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Quintana beamed .
No surprise at that reaction , really , considering Quintana has been spotted more than once wearing Brady ’ s No .
12 — Patriots version — including on a 2017 road trip when Cubs players traveled in NFL jerseys .
Has anything ever mattered less ?
The “ big ” news Sunday was the dinner-time unveiling of the Cubs ’ initial player pool for 2020 .
It ’ s 50 names deep , leaving 10 spots open to be filled — or not — by current members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , truthfully , the news wasn ’ t very big at all , offering few , if any , notable surprises .
Most , though not all , major-league teams released the names in their pools Sunday .
The Cubs will welcome at least 39 players to Wrigley Field for workouts beginning Wednesday .
Eleven players — a mix of non-roster invitees and a couple of key prospects , pitcher Adbert Alzolay and catcher Miguel Amaya , who are on the 40-man roster — will report to the Cubs ’ Class A facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
It ’ s unexpected , but not yet known , that any Cubs players will opt out of playing in 2020 .
The team still has many players to begin screening for coronavirus , too .
But back to Quintana and Brady because , why not ?
Earlier in the day , fans were treated to the excitement of that Instagram photo .
Call it nothing — a nothing sandwich , if you prefer — though Quintana surely ranks it as a thrill .
One of them has played in nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mantel full of MVP awards and will be 43 if and when the NFL season begins .
The other was traded by the White Sox in July 2017 for blue-chip prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease and a couple of others .
That ’ s not all Quintana has done for the Cubs , and it ’ s pointless to compare him with Brady , so we ’ ll cut that out .
Quintana was what the Cubs needed him to be down the stretch in 2017 .
Would they have won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NL Championship Series without him ?
Some are convinced the answer is no .
But Quintana has been nothing like a top-of-the-rotation starter — or even a strong No .
2 — since 2017 .
He will enter this season as something of an afterthought , relative to Yu Darvish , Kyle Hendricks and even grizzled Jon Lester .
Yet Quintana could give the Cubs 12 2017-style starts in a drastically shortened season and reinvent himself .
In 14 outings with the Cubs in 2017 , Quintana displayed excellent control , routinely delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gave team president Theo Epstein no reason to have buyer ’ s remorse .
The Cubs were 10-4 in Quintana ’ s starts .
His record was 7-3 .
You ’ d better believe the Cubs would twist themselves into a pretzel to sign up for that again in 2020 .
Come to think of it , 7-3 is even better than Brady ’ s record in Super Bowls .
But we probably shouldn ’ t get into it .

This might sound like a stretch, but left-hander Jose Quintana is the closest thing the Cubs have to Tom Brady.
Please, bear with us.
It’s true. Quintana literally was with the superstar quarterback Sunday and posted a photo of the two — on a street, presumably in or near Tampa, Florida — to his Instagram.
Heady stuff, indeed.
Let the record show that Brady, heading into his first season with the Buccaneers, was seated on an electric scooter in the photo and — whom are we kidding? — looking fabulous, as always. Standing behind him, Quintana beamed. No surprise at that reaction, really, considering Quintana has been spotted more than once wearing Brady’s No. 12 — Patriots version — including on a 2017 road trip when Cubs players traveled in NFL jerseys.
Fast friends? Kindred spirits? A pair beyond compare?
Has anything ever mattered less?
The ‘‘big’’ news Sunday was the unveiling of the Cubs’ initial player pool for 2020. It’s 50 names deep, leaving 10 spots to be filled — or not — by current members of the organization or future acquisitions. And, truthfully, the news wasn’t very big at all, offering few, if any, notable surprises.
Most, though not all, major-league teams released the names in their pools Sunday. The Cubs will welcome at least 39 players to Wrigley Field for workouts beginning Wednesday. Eleven players — a mix of non-roster invitees and a couple of key prospects (right-hander Adbert Alzolay and catcher Miguel Amaya) who are on the 40-man roster — will report to the Cubs’ Class A facility in South Bend, Indiana, and get to work there.
It’s unexpected, but not yet known, that any Cubs players will opt out of playing in 2020. The team still has many players to begin screening for coronavirus, too.
But back to Quintana and Brady because, why not?
Earlier in the day, fans were treated to the excitement of that Instagram photo. Call it nothing — a nothing sandwich, if you prefer — though Quintana surely ranks it as a thrill.
One of them has played in nine Super Bowls, winning six, has a mantel full of MVP awards and will be 43 if and when the NFL season begins.
The other was traded by the White Sox in July 2017 for blue-chip prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease and a couple of others.
That’s not all Quintana has done for the Cubs, and it’s pointless to compare him with Brady, so we’ll cut that out. Quintana was what the Cubs needed him to be down the stretch in 2017. Would they have won the National League Central and reached the NL Championship Series without him? Some are convinced the answer is no.
But Quintana has been nothing like a top-of-the-rotation starter — or even a strong No. 2 — since 2017. He will enter this season as something of an afterthought, relative to Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks and even grizzled Jon Lester. Yet Quintana could give the Cubs 12 2017-style starts in a drastically shortened season and reinvent himself.
In 14 outings with the Cubs in 2017, Quintana displayed excellent control, routinely delivered quality starts and, on the whole, gave team president Theo Epstein no reason to have buyer’s remorse. The Cubs were 10-4 in Quintana’s starts. His record was 7-3.
You’d better believe the Cubs would twist themselves into a pretzel to sign up for that again in 2020.
Come to think of it, 7-3 is even better than Brady’s record in Super Bowls. But we probably shouldn’t get into it.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--Man wanted for questioning in connection with fatal stabbing at bar in Schiller Park

Schiller Park police are seeking a 28-year-old man wanted for questioning in connection with a fatal stabbing Saturday in north @ @ @ @ @ Askar , the man wanted by police , was last seen driving a 2015 silver @ @ @ @ @ plate BX91916 , Schiller Park police said .
Giovanny Pineda , 29 , was stabbed @ @ @ @ @ at Chaser ’ s Bar , 4255 Old River Rd.
, in Schiller Park , @ @ @ @ @ taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge where he was pronounced dead .
An @ @ @ @ @ County medical examiner ’ s office said Pineda died of a stab wound to the @ @ @ @ @ was ruled a homicide .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Schiller Park police @ @ @

Schiller Park police are seeking a 28-year-old man wanted for questioning in connection with a fatal stabbing Saturday in north suburban Schiller Park.
Kasim Askar, the man wanted by police, was last seen driving a 2015 silver Lexus with an Illinois license plate BX91916, Schiller Park police said.
Surveillance photo of Kasim Askar, a 28-year-old man wanted for questioning in connection with a fatal stabbing at Chaser’s Bar June 27, 2020, in Schiller Park. Schiller Park police
Giovanny Pineda, 29, was stabbed to death about 1:30 a.m. at Chaser’s Bar, 4255 Old River Rd., in Schiller Park, police said. He was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy conducted by the Cook County medical examiner’s office said Pineda died of a stab wound to the abdomen, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Schiller Park police at 847-671-8539.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-28--Bulls draft talk: The organization may need to start thinking small

To say that the “ Otto Porter Experience ’ ’ hasn ’ t gone as expected is an understatement .
Then again , was the veteran small forward ever really going to live up to the $ 56 million that the Bulls were going to have to pay him the final two years of his contract when they acquired him from Washington at the deadline last season ?
Mistakes of the old front office regime still front and center as part of the cleanup now facing executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas .
Porter will exercise the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pricing him out of being any sort of trade candidate .
That ’ s all but guaranteed .
That he can fill the hole that still remains at the small forward spot ever since the Bulls traded Jimmy Butler back in 2017 .
Butler wasn ’ t just a scoring presence and team leader at the three , but an elite wing defender .
Something this rebuild is yet to come even close to reproducing .
It was never going to be Porter – who was simply a band-aid to put over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And do the Bulls really think it ’ s going to someday be Chandler Hutchison ?
Not with the former Boise State first-round pick found more frequently in the training room than on the court .
No , with very little roster room to wiggle out from until at least the 2021 offseason , the draft might be the only answer the organization has try and fix the problem .
That ’ s where Auburn small forward Isaac Okoro comes in .
At 6-foot-6 , Okoro is one of the best wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like Butler when he was coming out of Marquette , Okoro can guard one through four and has the mindset to develop into a team ’ s stopper .
Would Okoro be there at No .
7 for the Bulls if the lottery balls can ’ t bounce the right way and move them up from their current position ?
Unlikely .
Okoro is projected to go anywhere from three to six .
So the Bulls would need some help .
More than Porter or Hutchison have shown they can provide .
1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside shooting is a concern , but scouts feel that Okoro has the mentality to do whatever it takes to be a standout at the NBA level .
2 .
Deni Avdija – Maccabi Tel Aviv – At 6-9 , the 19-year-old Avdija is the poster boy for a point forward .
His play-making is off the charts for his size , and he has a team-first , unselfish mindset .
He has shown an ability to defend , but there are questions of how that will translate at the NBA level .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avdija has struggled to be a consistent outside shooter , doing most of his best scoring damage in pick-and-roll and attacking the paint .
Karnisovas has a great feel for the international game , so that ’ s also why Avdija could be in play for the Bulls .
3 .
Aaron Nesmith – Vanderbilt – The likelihood that Nesmith will shoot 52.2 percent from three-point range at the NBA level like he did at Vandy last season , well , that isn ’ t happening .
That doesn ’ t change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wingspan , Nesmith is as lethal a shooter as this draft has , especially coming off of movement .
4 .
Saddiq Bey – Villanova – Like Nesmith , Bey was a marksman from outside three-point range , hitting 45 percent last season .
He ’ s a bit of a late bloomer , playing the point guard spot in high school at 6-1 before sprouting up to 6-8 .
What scouts like about Bey – some over Nesmith – is his ability to also defend opposing wings .
He could very well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board after the interview process .

To say the Bulls’ experience with Otto Porter Jr. hasn’t gone as expected is an understatement.
But truthfully, was the veteran small forward — hampered for months by a foot injury this past season — ever really going to live up to the $56 million the Bulls were going to owe him over the final two years of his contract after they acquired him from the Wizards at the 2019 trade deadline?
Not likely. And it’s part of the cleanup now facing Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls’ new executive vice president of basketball operations.
Porter is all but guaranteed to exercise his $28.4 million option for 2020-21 this offseason, pricing him out of being any sort of trade candidate. What’s not guaranteed is that he can be the small forward the Bulls have needed since they traded Jimmy Butler on draft night in 2017.
Butler wasn’t just a scoring presence and team leader at the three but also an elite wing defender — something the Bulls haven’t come close to replacing during their ongoing rebuild.
It was never going to be Porter, who was effectively a Band-Aid on a wound after the team’s
brief, troubled relationship with Jabari Parker.
Do the Bulls think the answer will someday be Chandler Hutch-ison, their first-round pick out of Boise State in 2018? Not when Hutchison spends more time in the training room than on the court, as he did this past season for problems with his right shoulder.
No, with very little roster room until at least the 2021 offseason, the Bulls’ only option may be the draft.
That’s where Auburn small forward Isaac Okoro comes in. At 6-6, Okoro is one of the best wing defenders in the draft. Like Butler when he was coming out of Marquette in 2011, Okoro can guard one through four and has the mindset to develop into a stopper.
Barring the lottery balls bouncing the right way and moving the Bulls up a few spots, they will pick at No. 7. Will Okoro still be available then? That’s unlikely — he’s projected to go anywhere from three to six.
So the Bulls would need some help — a lot more than Porter and Hutchison have shown they can provide.
Here’s a deeper look at potential draft solutions:
1. Isaac Okoro, Auburn
His outside shooting is a concern, but scouts feel Okoro has the mentality to do whatever it takes at the NBA level.
2. Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv
At 6-9, the 19-year-old Avdija is the poster boy for a point forward. His playmaking is off the charts for his size, and he has a team-first, unselfish mindset.
He has shown defensive ability, but there are questions about how that will translate to the NBA. There’s also a concern whether he can be a consistent outside shooter because he does most of his scoring in pick-and-roll situations and when he’s attacking the paint.
Karnisovas has a great feel for the international game — another reason Avdija could be in play for the Bulls.
3. Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt
The likelihood of Nesmith shooting 52.2 percent from three-point range in the NBA, as he did at Vandy last season, is nil. But he’s 6-6 with a 6-10 wingspan and is as lethal a shooter as you’ll find in this draft, especially coming off movement.
4. Saddiq Bey, Villanova
Like Nesmith, Bey is a marksman from three-point range, hitting 45 percent last season. He’s a bit of a late bloomer, having played point guard in high school at 6-1 before sprouting up to 6-8.
What scouts like about Bey — some over Nesmith — is his ability to also defend opposing wings. He could very well end up being the second small forward off the board.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-29--Dear Abby: Since surprise baby, romance has vanished from our marriage

DEAR ABBY : I have been with my husband since 2009 .
In 2017 we had a surprise baby , who is now 2 years and 9 months old .
Connecting as a couple was getting difficult before the pregnancy , but now that we have this cute , extremely energetic child , we don ’ t connect at all .
If I don ’ t ask for a kiss , I don ’ t get one .
If I don ’ t ask for sex , it would never happen .
I have to initiate everything .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes .
The only conversation he wants to have is about the news or what he did at work .
If I try to talk about anything else , he gives me brief answers and moves to a different subject .
I ’ m bored in this marriage and tired of not getting any kind of romance at all .
Help !
— ROOMMATE OR ROMANCE ?
DEAR R. OR R. : Your husband may be as overwhelmed by parenthood as you are , and concerned about providing for this “ surprise ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distanced himself .
Your relationship could also have been winding down before your pregnancy happened .
I am not sure a regularly scheduled date night can bring you two back in sync , but a licensed marriage and family therapist may be able to reopen the lines of communication between you .
DEAR ABBY : I am hoping for advice regarding my relationship with my father and his children .
I met my dad and his much younger second family when I was 24 .
I have never felt close to any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing has changed .
Dad lives across the country and is now terminal because of his alcoholism .
My siblings are telling me I need to see him before he dies .
I don ’ t feel an obligation to do that , but I also feel guilty for not feeling bad .
I don ’ t feel much connection with my siblings either , and am pretty sure that once my father passes , communication will cease completely .
Should I reach out and try to rekindle a relationship before he passes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — UNCERTAIN IN MAINE DEAR UNCERTAIN : It may be a little late to rekindle a relationship with your father , who was absent during such a large chunk of your life .
This may be the reason you aren ’ t grieving his approaching death .
That said , if there is anything you feel you might like to say to your father that has not been said — and I ’ ll bet there is plenty — it might be in your own best interests to have a final conversation or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not that you owe it to him ; you owe it to yourself .
DEAR ABBY : My niece is being married very soon .
I wasn ’ t invited to her originally planned church wedding , but due to the coronavirus , she ’ s now doing a Zoom wedding , and I have received an electronic invitation .
Should I send her a wedding gift or is it not required/expected since we weren ’ t included in the original wedding plans ?
— TIMELY DILEMMA IN MASSACHUSETTS DEAR T.D .
: @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with your niece , send her a gift with a sweet note wishing her a lifetime of happiness with her new spouse .
If not , then decline .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
What teens need to know about sex , drugs , AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Teen Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my husband since 2009. In 2017 we had a surprise baby, who is now 2 years and 9 months old.
Connecting as a couple was getting difficult before the pregnancy, but now that we have this cute, extremely energetic child, we don’t connect at all. If I don’t ask for a kiss, I don’t get one. If I don’t ask for sex, it would never happen. I have to initiate everything.
I have mentioned this issue many times but nothing changes. The only conversation he wants to have is about the news or what he did at work. If I try to talk about anything else, he gives me brief answers and moves to a different subject. I’m bored in this marriage and tired of not getting any kind of romance at all. Help! — ROOMMATE OR ROMANCE?
DEAR R. OR R.: Your husband may be as overwhelmed by parenthood as you are, and concerned about providing for this “surprise” baby, which is why he has distanced himself. Your relationship could also have been winding down before your pregnancy happened. I am not sure a regularly scheduled date night can bring you two back in sync, but a licensed marriage and family therapist may be able to reopen the lines of communication between you.
DEAR ABBY: I am hoping for advice regarding my relationship with my father and his children. I met my dad and his much younger second family when I was 24. I have never felt close to any of them, and 10 years later, nothing has changed.
Dad lives across the country and is now terminal because of his alcoholism. My siblings are telling me I need to see him before he dies. I don’t feel an obligation to do that, but I also feel guilty for not feeling bad.
I don’t feel much connection with my siblings either, and am pretty sure that once my father passes, communication will cease completely. Should I reach out and try to rekindle a relationship before he passes? Do I owe him that? — UNCERTAIN IN MAINE
DEAR UNCERTAIN: It may be a little late to rekindle a relationship with your father, who was absent during such a large chunk of your life. This may be the reason you aren’t grieving his approaching death. That said, if there is anything you feel you might like to say to your father that has not been said — and I’ll bet there is plenty — it might be in your own best interests to have a final conversation or two with him. It’s not that you owe it to him; you owe it to yourself.
DEAR ABBY: My niece is being married very soon. I wasn’t invited to her originally planned church wedding, but due to the coronavirus, she’s now doing a Zoom wedding, and I have received an electronic invitation. Should I send her a wedding gift or is it not required/expected since we weren’t included in the original wedding plans? — TIMELY DILEMMA IN MASSACHUSETTS
DEAR T.D.: If you want to maintain a relationship with your niece, send her a gift with a sweet note wishing her a lifetime of happiness with her new spouse. If not, then decline.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)