chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--XFL to unveil rules innovations when it kicks off next month

When the XFL debuts in February , it will take a “ Star Trek ” approach of going where no football league has gone before .
The eight-team league will have options for extra points worth one , two or three points .
It will allow double forward passes behind the line of scrimmage .
Kickoffs will look way different , in the name of both safety and excitement .
Overtime will look like the NHL ’ s version of settling matters with a “ shootout.
’ ’ No coin tosses here , with each team getting up to five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — similar to World Cup soccer shootouts .
Is it a catch at the sideline ?
Well , the officiating calls might be easier because the XFL will use the college rule of receivers needing only one foot in bounds rather than the NFL ’ s two-feet rule .
Speaking of officiating , there will be a dedicated ball spotter to ensure a faster tempo that comes with a 25-second play clock .
A running clock , too , except in the final two minutes of each half .
All replay reviews will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no coaches challenges .
To XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck , a former NFL quarterback and longtime football executive , a speedier game means a more entertaining one .
“ From research we had done , fans think there ’ s too much downtime and dead time .
I suppose games have gotten longer , ” Luck says .
“ We wanted to take a step forward by going back to games under three hours based on all our fan research .
More action and more plays speed it up .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This makes sense from a flow perspective , TV perspective and fan perspective .
And I am looking forward to as we launch , will our players be required to be in better shape ?
They ’ ll be moving fast and playing with tempo .
That is going to be neat ; conditioning may play more of a role in our game.
” The XFL kicks off on Feb. 8 , the weekend after the Super Bowl , seeking more success than its predecessor in 2001 ( one season ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Football ( less than a season ) .
Its innovations could be a turn-on for fans who never tire of football .
Or they could come off as gimmicks , though the XFL mantra is “ no gimmicks — ever.
” Luck and Fox analyst Dean Blandino , the former head of NFL officiating now overseeing XFL officiating , believe these and other changes are worth a try .
Such as the double forward pass .
“ My thought as I watch the game develop , there are more quarterbacks out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line , ” Luck explains .
“ You aren ’ t wanting to throw a lateral to a receiver who would have to be 7 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage .
I thought to myself that the traditional trick plays would be enhanced .
... We are excited to have that in the repertoire.
” The one-foot-in-bounds completions should ease the strain on pass catchers — and officials .
“ When you look at the college rule versus the NFL , ” Blandino says , “ it definitely is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier play .
But I will say there will be less replay reviews ; it ’ s easier to officiate looking for that one body part .
I see less controversy in terms of catch/no catch.
” Adds Luck : “ As we went through this process , we had to keep in mind that players in our league will have played in college , and a vast majority spent time in the NFL , some in the CFL .
We had to be somewhat selective in terms of innovations to adopt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ players to play fast .
We have had our coaches working with the players on all these innovations to make sure they don ’ t black out and think they are in a different league or back in college.
” Luck and Blandino also note that the one-foot catch is safer because the receiver is not dragging his second foot , so he can roll to the ground in a true football fall .
Where fans ( and bettors and fantasy players — yes , the XFL is likely to have those , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after touchdowns are scored .
There will be no PAT kicks in the XFL .
Rather , a scoring team can go for one point from the 2-yard line , two points from the 5 or three points from 10 .
“ I think it brings strategy into a play that historically has been a simple decision , ” Luck says .
“ Even with the NFL moving the extra point kick further away , it ’ s still a 93.6 % success rate .
A fait accompli .
“ We think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy that will be fascinating to watch .
Potential points on the board are exciting plays and will add an exciting element to our game .
“ One coach said he is thinking if his team scores on defense it is such a shift in momentum , and he would use those opportunities to go for three , even if in the first quarter.
” Are all of the XFL ’ s changes going to be an enticement for fans ?
Luck , Blandino and company will begin finding out in a month @

When the XFL debuts in February, it will take a “Star Trek” approach of going where no football league has gone before.
The eight-team league will have options for extra points worth one, two or three points. It will allow double forward passes behind the line of scrimmage.
Kickoffs will look way different, in the name of both safety and excitement. Overtime will look like the NHL’s version of settling matters with a “shootout.’’ No coin tosses here, with each team getting up to five shots to score from the 5-yard line — similar to World Cup soccer shootouts.
Is it a catch at the sideline? Well, the officiating calls might be easier because the XFL will use the college rule of receivers needing only one foot in bounds rather than the NFL’s two-feet rule.
Speaking of officiating, there will be a dedicated ball spotter to ensure a faster tempo that comes with a 25-second play clock. A running clock, too, except in the final two minutes of each half. All replay reviews will be initiated by an officiating booth, with no coaches challenges.
To XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck, a former NFL quarterback and longtime football executive, a speedier game means a more entertaining one.
“From research we had done, fans think there’s too much downtime and dead time. I suppose games have gotten longer,” Luck says. “We wanted to take a step forward by going back to games under three hours based on all our fan research. More action and more plays speed it up.
“Our data analysts looked at hundreds of games. This makes sense from a flow perspective, TV perspective and fan perspective. And I am looking forward to as we launch, will our players be required to be in better shape? They’ll be moving fast and playing with tempo. That is going to be neat; conditioning may play more of a role in our game.”
The XFL kicks off on Feb. 8, the weekend after the Super Bowl, seeking more success than its predecessor in 2001 (one season) and last year’s Alliance of American Football (less than a season). Its innovations could be a turn-on for fans who never tire of football. Or they could come off as gimmicks, though the XFL mantra is “no gimmicks — ever.”
Luck and Fox analyst Dean Blandino, the former head of NFL officiating now overseeing XFL officiating, believe these and other changes are worth a try.
Such as the double forward pass.
“My thought as I watch the game develop, there are more quarterbacks out of the shotgun and already 6 yards back from the line,” Luck explains. “You aren’t wanting to throw a lateral to a receiver who would have to be 7 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage. I thought to myself that the traditional trick plays would be enhanced. ... We are excited to have that in the repertoire.”
The one-foot-in-bounds completions should ease the strain on pass catchers — and officials.
“When you look at the college rule versus the NFL,” Blandino says, “it definitely is still a skilled play, but an easier play. But I will say there will be less replay reviews; it’s easier to officiate looking for that one body part. I see less controversy in terms of catch/no catch.”
Adds Luck: “As we went through this process, we had to keep in mind that players in our league will have played in college, and a vast majority spent time in the NFL, some in the CFL. We had to be somewhat selective in terms of innovations to adopt. They need to be teachable to our players to play fast. We have had our coaches working with the players on all these innovations to make sure they don’t black out and think they are in a different league or back in college.”
Luck and Blandino also note that the one-foot catch is safer because the receiver is not dragging his second foot, so he can roll to the ground in a true football fall.
Where fans (and bettors and fantasy players — yes, the XFL is likely to have those, too) might be most intrigued is after touchdowns are scored. There will be no PAT kicks in the XFL. Rather, a scoring team can go for one point from the 2-yard line, two points from the 5 or three points from 10.
Yep, a nine-point lead can be a one-possession game.
“I think it brings strategy into a play that historically has been a simple decision,” Luck says. “Even with the NFL moving the extra point kick further away, it’s still a 93.6% success rate. A fait accompli.
“We think the tiered extra point brings an element of strategy that will be fascinating to watch. Potential points on the board are exciting plays and will add an exciting element to our game.
“One coach said he is thinking if his team scores on defense it is such a shift in momentum, and he would use those opportunities to go for three, even if in the first quarter.”
Are all of the XFL’s changes going to be an enticement for fans? Luck, Blandino and company will begin finding out in a month.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Blue catfish for winter blues: Plethora of blues, 2 PBs, come from Powerton

Blues for the winter blues is the way Luis Gonzalez put it .
Gonzalez , of the Chicago powerline and @ @ @ @ @ and friends Mike Bogdan and Tommy Krysciak trekked three hours south Sunday and it paid @ @ @ @ @ pounds of blue catfish at Powerton , the cooling lake near Pekin .
`` Shortly @ @ @ @ @ minutes of each other , we were all hooked up , ’ ’ Gonzalez messaged @ @ @ @ @ 20-pound , me with a new person-best of 41.6 and Mike also with a new @ @ @ @ @ Bogdan , pictured above with his PB blue before its release , is a noted @ @ @ @ @ the Fox River .
FOTW , the celebration of big fish and their stories ( @ @ @ @ @ Chicago fishing , runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times .
Submit nominations by message on Facebook @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter ( @ BowmanOutside ) and Instagram ( @ BowmanOutside ) or email ( @ @ @ @ @

Blues for the winter blues is the way Luis Gonzalez put it.
Gonzalez, of the Chicago powerline and lakefront fishing Facebook group, and friends Mike Bogdan and Tommy Krysciak trekked three hours south Sunday and it paid off with more than 200 pounds of blue catfish at Powerton, the cooling lake near Pekin.
``Shortly after noon, and within minutes of each other, we were all hooked up,’’ Gonzalez messaged. ``Tommy with a 20-pound, me with a new person-best of 41.6 and Mike also with a new PB of 50.8.’’
Bogdan, pictured above with his PB blue before its release, is a noted pursuer of flathead catfish on the Fox River.
Luis Gonzalez with his PB blue catfish caught Sunday at Powerton Lake. Provided
FOTW, the celebration of big fish and their stories (the stories matter) around Chicago fishing, runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Plea agreement reached for man who claimed to be missing Aurora boy

CINCINNATI — A federal court filing shows that a plea agreement has been reached in the case of a 24-year-old Ohio man who claimed to be a missing Illinois child .
No details were made public immediately on the terms .
U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett has a Wednesday status conference set in the case of Brian Michael Rini , of Medina , Ohio .
Police say Rini was wandering the streets of Newport , Kentucky , last April 3 .
Police said he told them he was Timmothy Pitzen , an Aurora boy who disappeared in 2011 at age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had just escaped captors who sexually abused him .
Federal authorities said they were suspicious after he refused to be fingerprinted .
DNA testing quickly revealed his true identity .
Barrett postponed a June trial after questions were raised about Rini ’ s mental state , but on Oct. 31 he found him competent to stand trial .
A court transcript of the Oct. 31 hearing showed that the defense and prosecution had discussed settling the case before trial .
Richard Monahan , a federal public defender , told the judge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He didn ’ t respond immediately to a message Tuesday seeking comment .
Rini earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated identity theft and lying to FBI agents .
He would face up to eight years in prison if convicted on those charges .
He ’ s been held without bail since last April , and was evaluated last summer at a federal facility in Chicago .
A federal magistrate had cited Rini ’ s lack of a permanent address , past mental health issues and “ a lengthy criminal history ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2017 , Rini was treated at an Ohio center for people with mental health or substance abuse problems , according to court papers .

CINCINNATI — A federal court filing shows that a plea agreement has been reached in the case of a 24-year-old Ohio man who claimed to be a missing Illinois child.
No details were made public immediately on the terms. U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett has a Wednesday status conference set in the case of Brian Michael Rini, of Medina, Ohio.
Police say Rini was wandering the streets of Newport, Kentucky, last April 3. Police said he told them he was Timmothy Pitzen, an Aurora boy who disappeared in 2011 at age 6. Authorities said Rini told them he had just escaped captors who sexually abused him.
Federal authorities said they were suspicious after he refused to be fingerprinted. DNA testing quickly revealed his true identity.
Barrett postponed a June trial after questions were raised about Rini’s mental state, but on Oct. 31 he found him competent to stand trial.
A court transcript of the Oct. 31 hearing showed that the defense and prosecution had discussed settling the case before trial. Richard Monahan, a federal public defender, told the judge the talks were likely to be fruitful. He didn’t respond immediately to a message Tuesday seeking comment.
Rini earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated identity theft and lying to FBI agents. He would face up to eight years in prison if convicted on those charges. He’s been held without bail since last April, and was evaluated last summer at a federal facility in Chicago.
A federal magistrate had cited Rini’s lack of a permanent address, past mental health issues and “a lengthy criminal history” that goes back to age 13. In 2017, Rini was treated at an Ohio center for people with mental health or substance abuse problems, according to court papers.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Read the ‘Windy City Rehab’ homeowner lawsuit

A Chicago couple who bought a $ 1.36 million home featured on the HGTV reality show “ Windy City Rehab @ @ @ @ @ to force the show ’ s hosts to take back the house , which they @ @ @ @ @ and shoddy work .
According to the lawsuit , the day after the buyers closed @ @ @ @ @ in Lincoln Square , an upper-floor shower leaked gallons of water into the kitchen ceiling @ @ @ @ @ got worse , the suit says , with a leaky roof , poorly installed windows @ @ @ @ @ and Anna Morrissey filed the lawsuit Dec. 30 in Cook County circuit court , citing @ @ @ @ @ breach of contract , breach of warranty and consumer fraud .
Click here to open @ @ @ @ @ window .

A Chicago couple who bought a $1.36 million home featured on the HGTV reality show “Windy City Rehab” is suing to try to force the show’s hosts to take back the house, which they say is plagued by leaks and shoddy work.
According to the lawsuit, the day after the buyers closed on the 4,000-square-foot luxury home in Lincoln Square, an upper-floor shower leaked gallons of water into the kitchen ceiling below.
And things only got worse, the suit says, with a leaky roof, poorly installed windows and other issues.
James and Anna Morrissey filed the lawsuit Dec. 30 in Cook County circuit court, citing defective and shoddy work, breach of contract, breach of warranty and consumer fraud.
'Windy City Rehab' lawsuit Read the full complaint here:
Click here to open this file in a new window.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--As ‘Very Cavallari’ returns, Kristin’s ‘on a high’ with Jay Cutler but under pressure elsewhere

“ I can do 10 pull-ups , RIGHT now !
” —Jay Cutler in the Season Three premiere of “ Very Cavallari.
” OK , so it ’ s not as if 36-year-old former Bears QB Jay Cutler is hinting at coming out of retirement in the Season 3 premiere of “ Very Cavallari , ” and he probably wouldn ’ t be an upgrade from current Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky .
But a dazed and confused and disappointed Bears fan can dream .
If nothing else , even the sight of Cutler in practice pads this summer would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the only prime-time exposure Jay is getting these days is when he shows up on wife Kristin ’ s “ reality ” show “ Very Cavallari , ” with the premiere episode of Season 3 at 8 p.m. Thursday on E !
Entertainment .
“ I just do , ” says K-Cav , reminding of us of her life philosophy .
“ I don ’ t think , I just do !
” On the opening possession — sorry , in the early moments — of the episode , Kristin delivers a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since Season two , Jay and I are doing really well .
I think marriage has ups and downs , but we are on a high right now , and I love him again !
” Well that ’ s good .
Because if you don ’ t love your husband , the marriage most likely isn ’ t going to reach the end zone of life .
Ah , but there ’ s plenty o ’ drama elsewhere in K-Cav ’ s life : • There ’ s the pressure of trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( the asking price has dropped from $ 7.9 million to a bargain basement $ 5.75M ) .
• Kristin has to decide whether Dallas or Chicago would be the best spot for a second Uncommon James boutique retail store .
( Spoiler alert !
The jewelry and baby/kids clothing store opened last October in the West Loop . )
• Much of the old Uncommon James gang ( The James Gang ! )
is gone , as Kristin explains : “ Reagan got fired , Matt quit , Kelsye got fired , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s almost as if they got their 15 minutes of moderate fame and moved on !
• Most dramatic of all — we ’ re talking on-cam tears and reaction shots of friends pretending to be shocked — is the fact Kristin is no longer talking to her best friend , Kelly .
“ She hasn ’ t really been there for me , ” says Kristin .
“ We aren ’ t even really speaking right now.
” And what sparked the fallout ?
Kristin says when Season 2 was airing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about Jay and Kelly having an affair — and it seemed like Kelly wanted to exploit the ( unfounded ) rumors for personal publicity gain .
“ She wanted to post something about it , ” exclaims Kristin .
“ That ’ s the last thing you do !
” Exactly .
You don ’ t post something on Twitter or Instagram about a scurrilous rumor — you wait until Season 3 is in production before you milk it for every possible drop .
Come on , Kelly !
What are you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel like [ Kelly is ] wrapped up in HER world right now , ” says K-Cav , as the cameras roll on a show called “ Very Cavallari , ” which features a photo shoot for the show itself 17 minutes into the Season 3 premiere .
Talk about meta .
Or beta .
Or VHS .
Or something .
Don ’ t get me wrong — I still love Kristin ’ s drive and her energy and her ( show ) business acumen , and the fact the graphics on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JAY , KRISTIN ’ S HUSBAND ” every time he makes an appearance .
The most contrived setup for the new season has Kristin ’ s friend Justin living in the old house — which supposedly comes as a surprise to Jay when Jay shows up to retrieve some gym equipment , because of course Kristin wouldn ’ t tell Jay about somebody living in the home they ’ re trying to sell , and of course Jay would have to go get the gym equipment because they wouldn ’ t be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their NEW multi-million home .
Jay tells Justin , “ Just don ’ t go prancing [ outside the house ] at night , ” warning Justin of the coyotes and bobcats lurking just outside .
The premiere concludes with the obligatory , “ This season on ‘ Very Cavallari ’ ” trailer , which teases Chicago-set segments , Kristin throwing an axe in a bar , a trip to Italy , a glimpse of Jay in a vineyard , and shock of shocks , a bombshell appearance by estranged best friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in advance .

“I can do 10 pull-ups, RIGHT now!” —Jay Cutler in the Season Three premiere of “Very Cavallari.”
Your move, Trubisky.
OK, so it’s not as if 36-year-old former Bears QB Jay Cutler is hinting at coming out of retirement in the Season 3 premiere of “Very Cavallari,” and he probably wouldn’t be an upgrade from current Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
But a dazed and confused and disappointed Bears fan can dream. If nothing else, even the sight of Cutler in practice pads this summer would make for fantastic entertainment.
In the meantime, the only prime-time exposure Jay is getting these days is when he shows up on wife Kristin’s “reality” show “Very Cavallari,” with the premiere episode of Season 3 at 8 p.m. Thursday on E! Entertainment.
“I just do,” says K-Cav, reminding of us of her life philosophy. “I don’t think, I just do!”
On the opening possession — sorry, in the early moments — of the episode, Kristin delivers a State of the Marriage update.
“Since Season two, Jay and I are doing really well. I think marriage has ups and downs, but we are on a high right now, and I love him again!”
Well that’s good. Because if you don’t love your husband, the marriage most likely isn’t going to reach the end zone of life.
(Kristin also gives a brief update on their three children, but once again and to their credit, Kristin and Jay aren’t allowing the kids to be filmed for the show.)
Ah, but there’s plenty o’ drama elsewhere in K-Cav’s life:
• There’s the pressure of trying to sell their former home in Nashville (the asking price has dropped from $7.9 million to a bargain basement $5.75M).
• Kristin has to decide whether Dallas or Chicago would be the best spot for a second Uncommon James boutique retail store. (Spoiler alert! The jewelry and baby/kids clothing store opened last October in the West Loop.)
• Much of the old Uncommon James gang (The James Gang!) is gone, as Kristin explains: “Reagan got fired, Matt quit, Kelsye got fired, Kaylee quit.”
Why, it’s almost as if they got their 15 minutes of moderate fame and moved on!
• Most dramatic of all — we’re talking on-cam tears and reaction shots of friends pretending to be shocked — is the fact Kristin is no longer talking to her best friend, Kelly.
“She hasn’t really been there for me,” says Kristin. “We aren’t even really speaking right now.”
And what sparked the fallout? Kristin says when Season 2 was airing, there was a lot of social media talk about Jay and Kelly having an affair — and it seemed like Kelly wanted to exploit the (unfounded) rumors for personal publicity gain.
“She wanted to post something about it,” exclaims Kristin. “That’s the last thing you do!”
Exactly. You don’t post something on Twitter or Instagram about a scurrilous rumor — you wait until Season 3 is in production before you milk it for every possible drop. Come on, Kelly! What are you, a Reality Rookie?
“I feel like [Kelly is] wrapped up in HER world right now,” says K-Cav, as the cameras roll on a show called “Very Cavallari,” which features a photo shoot for the show itself 17 minutes into the Season 3 premiere.
Talk about meta. Or beta. Or VHS. Or something.
Don’t get me wrong — I still love Kristin’s drive and her energy and her (show) business acumen, and the fact the graphics on the show still refer to Cutler as “JAY, KRISTIN’S HUSBAND” every time he makes an appearance.
The most contrived setup for the new season has Kristin’s friend Justin living in the old house — which supposedly comes as a surprise to Jay when Jay shows up to retrieve some gym equipment, because of course Kristin wouldn’t tell Jay about somebody living in the home they’re trying to sell, and of course Jay would have to go get the gym equipment because they wouldn’t be able to afford a whole new workout center in their NEW multi-million home.
Jay tells Justin, “Just don’t go prancing [outside the house] at night,” warning Justin of the coyotes and bobcats lurking just outside.
The premiere concludes with the obligatory, “This season on ‘Very Cavallari’ ” trailer, which teases Chicago-set segments, Kristin throwing an axe in a bar, a trip to Italy, a glimpse of Jay in a vineyard, and shock of shocks, a bombshell appearance by estranged best friend Kelly.
Who better not post about it in advance.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Apartments burglarized in South Shore: police

Chicago police are warning residents of a recent pair of burglaries reported in South Shore on the South Side .
@ @ @ @ @ broke into apartments through windows or a rear door , then took property from therein @ @ @ @ @ The burglaries happened about 11:30 p.m. Dec. 27 in the 6900 block of South Merrill @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 2 in the 6900 block of South Paxton Avenue , police said .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more on crime , and track the @ @ @ @ @

Chicago police are warning residents of a recent pair of burglaries reported in South Shore on the South Side.
In these incidents, someone broke into apartments through windows or a rear door, then took property from therein, Chicago police said.
The burglaries happened about 11:30 p.m. Dec. 27 in the 6900 block of South Merrill Avenue and about 1:30 p.m. Jan. 2 in the 6900 block of South Paxton Avenue, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Man charged with shooting at Aurora gathering: police

A 19-year-old man was charged with a shooting that left one person with minor injuries last weekend at a gathering @ @ @ @ @ Daron Bovan was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession @ @ @ @ @ FOID card , Aurora police said .
Bovan allegedly shot another 19-year-old man about 2 @ @ @ @ @ “ social gathering ” inside a home in the 400 block of Florida Avenue , @ @ @ @ @ was grazed and treated at an area hospital for minor injuries .
Bovan was held @ @ @ @ @ according to Kane County court records .
He is due back in court Thursday .

A 19-year-old man was charged with a shooting that left one person with minor injuries last weekend at a gathering in west suburban Aurora.
Daron Bovan was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a firearm without a FOID card, Aurora police said.
Daron Bovan Aurora police
Bovan allegedly shot another 19-year-old man about 2 a.m. Jan. 4 during a “social gathering” inside a home in the 400 block of Florida Avenue, police said. The victim was grazed and treated at an area hospital for minor injuries.
Bovan was held on $110,750 bail, according to Kane County court records. He is due back in court Thursday.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Impossible Foods unveils pork, sausage

Impossible Foods unveils pork, sausage

After a big year for its plant-based burger , Impossible Foods has something new on its plate .
The California-based company unveiled Impossible Pork and Impossible Sausage on Monday evening at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas .
It ’ s Impossible Food ’ s first foray beyond fake beef .
The Impossible Burger , which went on sale in 2016 , has been a key player in the growing category of vegan meats .
Like the burger , Impossible Food ’ s pork and sausage are made from soy but mimic the taste and texture of ground meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restaurants first .
The company isn ’ t yet saying when it will come to groceries .
Impossible Foods only recently began selling its burgers in grocery stores , although they ’ re available at more than 17,000 restaurants in the U.S. , Singapore , Hong Kong and Macau .
Burger King will give consumers their first taste of Impossible Sausage .
Later this month , 139 Burger King restaurants in five U.S. cities will offer the Impossible Croissan ’ wich , made with plant-based sausage coupled with the traditional egg and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test of the Impossible Whopper last year before expanding sales nationwide .
The pork products and the Impossible Burger are made in a similar way .
Impossible Foods gets heme — the protein that gives meat its flavor and texture — from soy leghemoglobin , which is found in the roots of soy plants .
To make heme in high volume , it inserts the DNA from soy into yeast and ferments it .
That mixture is then combined with other ingredients , like coconut oil .
The company tweaked the ingredients to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild flavor .
For the sausage it added spices .
Impossible Pork has 220 calories in a four-ounce serving .
That ’ s not much less than a serving of Smithfield 80 % lean ground pork , which has 260 calories .
Smithfield ’ s animal-derived pork has more total fat , at 20 grams , than Impossible Pork , which has 13 grams .
But Impossible Pork has far more sodium , at 420 milligrams .
Smithfield has 70 milligrams .
But health concerns are only part of the reason consumers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and environmental concerns are also a factor .
Nearly 1.5 billion pigs are killed for food each year , a number that has tripled in the last 50 years , according to the World Economic Forum .
Raising those pigs depletes natural resources and increases greenhouse gas emissions .
“ Everything that we ’ re doing is trying to avert the biggest threat that the world is facing , ” Impossible Foods CEO Pat Brown told The Associated Press .
Brown said the company decided pork should be its next product because customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started working on the new products about 18 months ago and accelerated development in the second half of 2019 .
Brown said ground pork is also critical to meeting the company ’ s international expansion goals .
While Americans eat more beef and chicken , pork is the most widely consumed meat worldwide , according to the National Pork Board .
Chinese consumers eat more than 88 pounds ( 40 kilograms ) of pork per year , compared to 65 pounds ( 30 kilograms ) for Americans .
Brown said he believes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , which has limited arable land and relies heavily on imported meat .
Last year , Chinese pork prices surged after African swine fever wiped out millions of pigs .
Brown said Impossible Foods is talking to Chinese regulators and potential partners that could make Impossible Pork — as well as plant-based burgers — in China .
“ This is a huge opportunity for China in terms of its food security , ” Brown said .
Impossible Foods is also waiting for approval from European regulators to sell its products there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakout year for plant-based meat .
U.S. sales jumped 10 % last year to nearly $ 1 billion ; traditional meat sales rose 2 % to $ 95 billion in that same time , according to Nielsen .
Impossible Foods rival Beyond Meat — which already sells plant-based sausage links — had a successful public stock offering in the spring .
Impossible Foods ran short of burgers in the first half of the year thanks to the buzz from Burger King .
After partnering with OSI Group , a food service company , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of its plant-based meat in the last quarter of 2019 as it sold in all of 2018 .
“ We have to keep scaling up as fast as we possibly can , ” Brown said .
Brown said he welcomes new competitors in the space , including deep-pocketed rivals like Nestle and Tyson Foods .
The meat industry is vast , he said , and plant-based meats are still only around 1 % of sales .
His only concern is that plant-based products taste good enough to convince meat eaters to switch @

After a big year for its plant-based burger, Impossible Foods has something new on its plate.
The California-based company unveiled Impossible Pork and Impossible Sausage on Monday evening at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas.
It’s Impossible Food’s first foray beyond fake beef. The Impossible Burger, which went on sale in 2016, has been a key player in the growing category of vegan meats. Like the burger, Impossible Food’s pork and sausage are made from soy but mimic the taste and texture of ground meat.
Impossible Pork will be rolled out to restaurants first. The company isn’t yet saying when it will come to groceries. Impossible Foods only recently began selling its burgers in grocery stores, although they’re available at more than 17,000 restaurants in the U.S., Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau.
Burger King will give consumers their first taste of Impossible Sausage. Later this month, 139 Burger King restaurants in five U.S. cities will offer the Impossible Croissan’wich, made with plant-based sausage coupled with the traditional egg and cheese. Burger King did a similar test of the Impossible Whopper last year before expanding sales nationwide.
The pork products and the Impossible Burger are made in a similar way. Impossible Foods gets heme — the protein that gives meat its flavor and texture — from soy leghemoglobin, which is found in the roots of soy plants. To make heme in high volume, it inserts the DNA from soy into yeast and ferments it. That mixture is then combined with other ingredients, like coconut oil.
The company tweaked the ingredients to mimic pork’s springy texture and mild flavor. For the sausage it added spices.
Impossible Pork has 220 calories in a four-ounce serving. That’s not much less than a serving of Smithfield 80% lean ground pork, which has 260 calories. Smithfield’s animal-derived pork has more total fat, at 20 grams, than Impossible Pork, which has 13 grams. But Impossible Pork has far more sodium, at 420 milligrams. Smithfield has 70 milligrams.
But health concerns are only part of the reason consumers are eating more plant-based meats. Animal welfare and environmental concerns are also a factor. Nearly 1.5 billion pigs are killed for food each year, a number that has tripled in the last 50 years, according to the World Economic Forum. Raising those pigs depletes natural resources and increases greenhouse gas emissions.
“Everything that we’re doing is trying to avert the biggest threat that the world is facing,” Impossible Foods CEO Pat Brown told The Associated Press.
Brown said the company decided pork should be its next product because customers were frequently requesting it. Impossible Foods started working on the new products about 18 months ago and accelerated development in the second half of 2019.
Brown said ground pork is also critical to meeting the company’s international expansion goals. While Americans eat more beef and chicken, pork is the most widely consumed meat worldwide, according to the National Pork Board. Chinese consumers eat more than 88 pounds (40 kilograms) of pork per year, compared to 65 pounds (30 kilograms) for Americans.
Brown said he believes a product like Impossible Pork is critical in China, which has limited arable land and relies heavily on imported meat. Last year, Chinese pork prices surged after African swine fever wiped out millions of pigs.
Brown said Impossible Foods is talking to Chinese regulators and potential partners that could make Impossible Pork — as well as plant-based burgers — in China.
“This is a huge opportunity for China in terms of its food security,” Brown said.
Impossible Foods is also waiting for approval from European regulators to sell its products there.
In the U.S., 2019 was a breakout year for plant-based meat. U.S. sales jumped 10% last year to nearly $1 billion; traditional meat sales rose 2% to $95 billion in that same time, according to Nielsen.
Impossible Foods rival Beyond Meat — which already sells plant-based sausage links — had a successful public stock offering in the spring. Impossible Foods ran short of burgers in the first half of the year thanks to the buzz from Burger King. After partnering with OSI Group, a food service company, Brown said Impossible Foods produced twice as much of its plant-based meat in the last quarter of 2019 as it sold in all of 2018.
“We have to keep scaling up as fast as we possibly can,” Brown said.
Brown said he welcomes new competitors in the space, including deep-pocketed rivals like Nestle and Tyson Foods. The meat industry is vast, he said, and plant-based meats are still only around 1% of sales.
His only concern is that plant-based products taste good enough to convince meat eaters to switch.
“A crappy product won’t win over meat lovers,” Brown said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Iran launches airstrikes at Iraq’s Ain Assad air base

TEHRAN , Iran — Iran struck back at the United States for the killing of a top Iranian general early Wednesday , firing a series of surface-to-surface missiles at an Iraqi air base housing U.S. troops and warning the United States and its allies in the region not to retaliate .
U.S. officials confirmed airstrikes at the air base .
There was no immediate word on injuries .
Iranian state TV said the attack was in revenge for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whose funeral Tuesday in his hometown of Kerman prompted angry calls to avenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Middle East .
Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard warned the U.S. and its regional allies against retaliating over the missile attack against the Ain Assad air base in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
The Guard issued the warning via a statement carried by Iran ’ s state-run IRNA news agency .
“ We are warning all American allies , who gave their bases to its terrorist army , that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted , ” The Guard said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assad air base is in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
It was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein .
It later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria .
State TV said the operation ’ s name was “ Martyr Soleimani.
” It said the Guard ’ s aerospace division that controls Iran ’ s missile program launched the attack .
Iran said it would release more information later .
Wednesday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours after crowds in Iran mourned Soleimani and as the U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in the region and warned of an unspecified threat to shipping from Iran in the region ’ s waterways , crucial routes for global energy supplies .
U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe issued security alerts for Americans .
The U.S. Air Force launched a drill with 52 fighter jets in Utah , just days after President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 sites in Iran .
A stampede broke out Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike , and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession , Iranian news reports said .
Tuesday ’ s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani ’ s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne through the city in southeastern Iran , said Pirhossein Koulivand , head of Iran ’ s emergency medical services .
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets , and online videos showed only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their faces covered by clothing , emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen , and onlookers wailing and crying out to God .
“ Unfortunately as a result of the stampede , some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions , ” Koulivand said , and state TV quoted him as saying that 56 had died and 213 had been injured .
Soleimani ’ s burial was delayed , with no new time given , because of concerns about the huge crowd at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital , crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran .
Such mass crowds can prove dangerous .
A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured hundreds .
Hossein Salami , Soleimani ’ s successor as leader of the Revolutionary Guard , addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan .
He vowed to avenge Soleimani , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Baghdad ’ s airport .
“ We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about , ” Salami said .
“ Death to Israel !
” the crowd shouted in response , referring to one of Iran ’ s longtime regional foes .
Salami praised Soleimani ’ s work , describing him as essential to backing Palestinian groups , Yemen ’ s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to Iran ’ s enemies , Salami said .
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi , two former Guard comrades killed in Iran ’ s 1980s war with Iraq .
They died in Operation Dawn 8 , in which Soleimani also took part .
It was a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million .
The funeral processions in major cities over three days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard ’ s expeditionary Quds Force .
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed .
Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country ’ s civil war , and he also served as the point man for Iranian proxies in countries like Iraq , Lebanon and Yemen .
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge .
In Iraq , pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani ’ s killing .
Germany and Canada announced plans to move some of their soldiers in Iraq to neighboring countries .
According to a report on Tuesday by the semi-official Tasnim news agency , Iran has worked up 13 sets of plans to avenge Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ali Shamkhani , the secretary of Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council , as saying that even the weakest among them would be a “ historic nightmare ” for the U.S .
He declined to elaborate , “ If the U.S. troops do not leave our region voluntarily and upright , we will do something to carry their bodies horizontally out , ” Shamkhani said .
The state-run IRNA news agency later published a statement from the Supreme National Security Council denying Shamkhani made the comment .
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising threats .
“ The Iranian response to this action , if any , is unknown , but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region , ” it said .
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran .
Tehran denied responsibility , although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz , the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 % of the world ’ s crude oil travels .
The U.S. Navy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would work with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat .
The 5th Fleet “ has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region , ” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr .
Joshua Frey told The Associated Press .
Meanwhile , Iranian Gen. Alireza Tabgsiri , the chief of the Guard ’ s navy , issued his own warning .
“ Our message to the enemies is to leave the region , ” Tabgsiri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard routinely has tense encounters with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf .
Separately , Iran summoned the British ambassador over comments by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British defense minister about Soleimani ’ s killing , the semi-official Mehr news agency reported .
Iran ’ s parliament , meanwhile , has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military ’ s command at the Pentagon and those acting on its behalf in Soleimani ’ s killing as “ terrorists , ” subject to Iranian sanctions .
The measure appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “ terrorist organization.
” The U.S. Defense Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani .
The action by Iran ’ s parliament was done by a special procedure to speed it into law and also saw the lawmakers approve funding for the Quds Force with an additional 200 million euros , or about $ 224 million .
Also Tuesday , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the U.S. had declined to issue him a visa to travel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations .
As the host of the U.N. headquarters , the U.S. is supposed to allow foreign officials to attend such meetings .
“ This is because they fear someone will go there and tell the truth to the American people , ” Zarif said .
“ But they are mistaken .
The world is not limited to New York .
You can speak with American people from Tehran too and we will do that.
” Asked about Zarif , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told journalists America would comply with its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He then referred to the Iranian diplomat as “ a propagandist of the first order.
” A U.S. official who wasn ’ t authorized to speak on the record said the application couldn ’ t be processed in time for Zarif ’ s travel although it wasn ’ t clear if his request had been formally denied .
A formal rejection would trigger legal technicalities that could affect future visa applications and could violate the host country agreement the U.S. has with the U.N .

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran struck back at the United States for the killing of a top Iranian general early Wednesday, firing a series of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops in a major escalation that brought the two longtime foes closer to war.
It was Iran’s most direct assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and Iranian state TV said it was in revenge for the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whose death last week in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying. U.S. and Iraqi officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties, though buildings were still being searched. The Iraqi government later confirmed there were no casualties among Iraqi forces.
A presenter on Iranian state television later claimed, without offering evidence, that the strikes killed “at least 80 terrorist U.S soldiers” and also damaged helicopters, drones and other equipment at the Ain al-Asad air base.
The strikes, which came as Iran buried Soleimani, raised fears that the two longtime foes were closer to war. But there were some indications that there would not be further retaliation on either side, at least in the short term.
‘All is well!’ President Donald Trump tweeted shortly after the missile attacks, adding, ‘So far, so good’ regarding casualties. Moments earlier, Iran’s foreign minister tweeted that Tehran had taken “& concluded proportionate measures in self-defense,” adding that Tehran did “not seek escalation” but would defend itself against further aggression.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
In Tehran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the missile strike on the U.S. bases in Iraq a “slap in the face” of the Americans, adding that military retaliation is not sufficient. “The corrupt presence of the U.S. in the region should come to end,” he said.
The killing of Soleimani — a national hero to many in Iran — and strikes by Tehran came as tensions have been rising steadily across the Mideast after Trump’s decision to unilaterally withdraw America from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers. They also marked the first time in recent years that Washington and Tehran have attacked each other directly rather than through proxies in the region. It raised the chances of open conflict erupting between the two enemies, who have been at odds since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis.
Adding to the chaos and overall jitters, a Ukrainian airplane carrying at least 170 people crashed outside Tehran on Wednesday morning, state TV reported. The plane had taken off from Imam Khomeini International Airport, and authorities initially blamed mechanical problems for the crash, the report said. Everyone onboard was killed, according to an emergency official.
Iran initially announced only one strike, but U.S. officials confirmed both. U.S. defense officials were at the White House, likely to discuss options with Trump, who launched the strike on Soleimani while facing an upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate.
Related Iran abandons nuclear deal limits after US kills general
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned the U.S. and its regional allies against retaliating over the missile attack against the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq’s western Anbar province. The Guard issued the warning via a statement carried by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
“We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted,” The Guard said. It also threatened Israel.
After the strikes, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator posted a picture of the Islamic Republic’s flag on Twitter, appearing to mimic Trump who posted an American flag following the killing of Soleimani and others Friday in a drone strike in Baghdad.
Ain al-Asad air base was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, and later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. It houses about 1,500 U.S. and coalition forces.
Two Iraqi security officials said at least one of the missiles appeared to have struck a plane at the base, igniting a fire. It was not immediately clear whether it was an Iraqi or U.S. jet. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the attacks, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they had no permission to brief journalists.
About 70 Norwegian troops also were on the air base but no injuries were reported, Brynjar Stordal, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Armed Forces told The Associated Press.
Chart shows estimated missile ranges for Iranian weapons. Iran has launched a missile strike against two bases in Iraq housing US troops; 2c; with BC-ML--Iran-Soleimani; ETA 7 p.m. AP
Trump visited the sprawling Ain al-Asad air base, about 100 miles or 60 kilometers west of Baghdad, in December 2018, making his first presidential visit to troops in the region. He did not meet with any Iraqi officials at the time, and his visit inflamed sensitivities about the continued presence of U.S. forces in Iraq. Vice President Mike Pence also has visited the base.
Iranian state TV said the Guard’s aerospace division that controls Iran’s missile program launched the attack, which it said was part of an operation dubbed “Martyr Soleimani.” Iran said it would release more information later.
The U.S. also acknowledged another missile attack on a base in Irbil in Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region.
“As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners and allies in the region,” said Jonathan Hoffman, an assistant to the U.S. defense secretary.
Wednesday’s revenge attack happened a mere few hours after crowds in Iran mourned Soleimani at his funeral. It also came the U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in the region and warned of an unspecified threat to shipping from Iran in the region’s waterways, crucial routes for global energy supplies. U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe issued security alerts for Americans. The FAA also warned of a “potential for miscalculation or mis-identification” for civilian aircraft in the Persian Gulf amid in an emergency flight restriction.
A stampede broke out Tuesday at Soleimani’s funeral for a top Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike, and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession, Iranian news reports said.
A stampede at a funeral procession for a top Iranian general killed in a U.S. airstrike last week has killed 40 people. AP
Tuesday’s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani’s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne through the city in southeastern Iran, said Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran’s emergency medical services.
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets, and online videos showed only its aftermath: people lying apparently lifeless, their faces covered by clothing, emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen, and onlookers wailing and crying out to God.
“Unfortunately as a result of the stampede, some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions,” Koulivand said, and state TV quoted him as saying that 56 had died and 213 had been injured.
Soleimani’s burial was delayed, with no new time given, because of concerns about the huge crowd at the cemetery, the semi-official ISNA news agency said.
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital, crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran. Such mass crowds can prove dangerous. A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured hundreds.
Hossein Salami, Soleimani’s successor as leader of the Revolutionary Guard, addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan. He vowed to avenge Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near Baghdad’s airport.
“We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about,” Salami said.
“Death to Israel!” the crowd shouted in response, referring to one of Iran’s longtime regional foes.
Salami praised Soleimani’s work, describing him as essential to backing Palestinian groups, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. As a martyr, Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran’s enemies, Salami said.
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi, two former Guard comrades killed in Iran’s 1980s war with Iraq. They died in Operation Dawn 8, in which Soleimani also took part. It was a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million.
The funeral processions in major cities over three days have been an unprecedented honor for Soleimani, seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard’s expeditionary Quds Force.
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed. Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country’s civil war, and he also served as the point man for Iranian proxies in countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Soleimani’s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge.
In Iraq, pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani’s killing. Germany and Canada announced plans to move some of their soldiers in Iraq to neighboring countries.
The FAA warning barred U.S. pilots and carriers from flying over areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace. The region is a major East-West travel hub and home to Emirates airline and Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel. It earlier issued warnings after Iran shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone last year that saw airlines plan new routes to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned ships across the Mideast, citing the rising threats. “The Iranian response to this action, if any, is unknown, but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region,” it said.
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran. Tehran denied responsibility, although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the world’s crude oil travels.
The U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it would work with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat.
The 5th Fleet “has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region,” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Joshua Frey told The Associated Press.
Iran’s parliament, meanwhile, has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military’s command at the Pentagon and those acting on its behalf in Soleimani’s killing as “terrorists,” subject to Iranian sanctions. The measure appears to be in response to a decision by Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “terrorist organization.”
The U.S. Defense Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Driver killed in crash with tree near Wauconda after medical emergency

A driver was killed in a single-vehicle crash Friday in northwest suburban Wauconda after suffering a medical episode and slamming @ @ @ @ @ to an autopsy .
Sheriff ’ s deputies responded about 11 a.m. for reports of @ @ @ @ @ Neville Road and West Darrell Road in unincorporated Wauconda , the Lake County sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 Lincoln MKC was westbound on Neville Road when it left the roadway and struck @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said .
The impact caused the vehicle to roll back into the @ @ @ @ @ Michael Gaul , 54. was the only person inside the vehicle , the sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ County coroner ’ s office said .
He was pronounced on the scene .
Autopsy @ @ @ @ @ suffered a medical event before the crash , the coroner ’ s office said .

A driver was killed in a single-vehicle crash Friday in northwest suburban Wauconda after suffering a medical episode and slamming into a tree, according to an autopsy.
Sheriff’s deputies responded about 11 a.m. for reports of a single-vehicle crash at West Neville Road and West Darrell Road in unincorporated Wauconda, the Lake County sheriff’s office said.
A 2016 Lincoln MKC was westbound on Neville Road when it left the roadway and struck a tree, the sheriff’s office said. The impact caused the vehicle to roll back into the middle of the road.
Michael Gaul, 54. was the only person inside the vehicle, the sheriff’s office and the Lake County coroner’s office said. He was pronounced on the scene.
Autopsy results released Tuesday found he suffered a medical event before the crash, the coroner’s office said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Chicago fishing in Midwest Fishing Report: Johnny Morris? Ice? Coho, no question, perch some questio

Chicago fishing in Midwest Fishing Report: Johnny Morris? Ice? Coho, no question, perch some question

Johnny Morris , as in Bass Pro , not Johnny Morris , as in the Bears most prolific pass catcher .
To understand the Morris mention , you need to read Mike Norris ’ Green Lake report below .
Otherwise for this sprawling raw-fie Midwest Fishing Report , it ’ s waiting on ice fishing , catching perch when you can ( surprisingly good at times ) and getting out for coho in Indiana when weather allows .
Larry Green tweeted the photo above and this over the weekend : Perch have been steadier in the Calumet for boaters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been good at times , tough at others .
Shore fishing at the downtown and North Side harbors , and the Chicago River has been tough to non-existent .
Pete Banach sent the photo above and this report from an outing up the Calumet : Ice fish at your own risk , unless noted .
Ice fishing is not permitted at the Chicago Lagoons , FPD of Kendall County , FPD of Will County and FP of the Kankakee River Valley .
FP COOK : Ice-fishing lakes are Arrowhead , Axehead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bode South only , Bullfrog , Busse main and south , Flatfoot , Green , Horsetail , Ida , Maple , Papoose , Powderhorn , Saganashkee Slough , Sag Quarry , Tampier , Turtlehead , Wampum .
FPD DuPAGE : Permitted most sites .
No ice fishing at Spring Creek Reservoir .
Late-night fishing allowed at Deep Quarry , must be out of preserve by 11 p.m. FPD KANE : Permitted only at Lake Patterson ( Hampshire South FP ) , Oakhurst FP , two ponds within Paul Wolff Campground and Grunwald Farms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow , ice fishing permitted 6:30 a.m. to sunset at Banana and Independence Grove south bay ; 6:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset at Sterling .
McHENRY CCD : Ice fishing at The Hollows ( West Lake only ) .
SILVER SPRINGS SFWA : Must used the east entrance .
Readers suggest SpotHero app downtown .
Montrose ( free parking ) ; Navy Pier ( check in parking office in east lot , be out by 10 a.m. for $ 8 angler parking ) ; DuSable Harbor ( fisherman ’ s lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or fisherman ’ s lot ) ; Steelworkers Park ( free street parking at east end of 87th ) .
Pier passes ( $ 6 ) for select piers in Chicago harbors and $ 10 parking passes ( DuSable , Burnham fisherman ’ s lots ) are available at Henry ’ s Sports and Bait or Northerly Island ( 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday , credit card only ) .
Proprietor Greg Dickson at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said a few are open-water fishing , but mainly `` We are waiting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in case winter does show up , I am including this : Hermann ’ s Rest-a-While , which offers parking , access , food and drink at Nielsen ’ s Channel , also offers to include people on text messages about ice conditions .
Braidwood , Heidecke and LaSalle are closed for the season .
Luis Gonzalez messaged the report and photo below from Sunday and that also led to the FOTW , click here for that : Powerton was on fire for us today we hooked 8 fish totaling more than 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tommy Krysciak decided on a very impromptu trip after falling into the winter blues .
Shortly after noon and within minutes of each other we were all hooked up .
Tommy with a 20 # me with a new person best of 41.6 and mike also with a new PB of 50.8 we only seen a total of 4 other fish netted for the day from the other Dozen anglers .
The plant was not pumping but that didnt seem to affect the streak of luck we had EMIQUON : Go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service .
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS : Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing .
HENNEPIN-HOPPER : Closed for the season .
Norris emailed the report below and texted the photo below the report .
Big Green Lake – Four inches of snow fell here early last week but by last Thursday the snow had melted .
Two thirds of Beyer ’ s Cove remains covered with 4 to 5 inches of ice and anglers are catching bluegills .
Open water anglers launching their boats in Big Green are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake trout fishing reopened on Big Green last Saturday and will run until September 30th .
The minimum size limit for trout is 17 inches with a daily possession limit of two .
I took a break from guiding last week and traveled to the Wisconsin Dells to attend the National Professional Anglers Association Annual Conference .
Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris was the keynotes speaker and gave an impassioned presentation on the future of the sport .
Little Green Lake – Walleyes are good at night and northern pike is good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 to 20 inches and are being caught on tip-ups baited with large shiners .
Walleye are best right before dark and are being caught on tips-ups baited with large shiners .
Wait a few hours into the night and the walleyes will bite again .
Bluegills and perch are being caught around the island .
Lake Puckaway – With warmer weather returning late last week the center of this lake has now reopened .
Nonetheless shoreline areas are still holding ice thick enough to walk on and anglers fishing tip-ups baited with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well catching northern pike .
Walleye are hit or miss .
The minimum size limit for northern pike on Lake Puckaway is 32 inches with a possession limit of one fish per day .
Contact Mike Norris , Wacky Worm Guide Service , at 630-842-8199 for Big Green Lake and other south-central Wisconsin guided fishing trips .
See perch at top .
Otherwise , there are still a smattering of pike ( see Larry Green at the top ) , brown trout , lake trout and steelhead being caught .
Even some coho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Sports and Bait in Bridgeport texted : I like that two carp on the fly .
Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop texted that the report was about the same as last week when she texted : Lakes are open daily for fishing .
If ice fishing comes , it will be at your own risk .
Accidents and tragedy put a pall over ice fishing and outdoor activities this past week as reports of two ATV ’ s and three snowmobiles broke through the ice .
Two of the snowmobilers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it happened ( Lake Nokomis in Tomahawk ) to up here and to the families and hometowns of those who passed .
To clarify , the snowmobiles broke through over a channel of current , not the main lake itself .
One of the ATV ’ s hit a current pocket that created thin ice in that particular spot .
Still , caution is advised anywhere you go .
Walking and pre-drilling or chipping with a spud bar by all means before traveling with a motorized vehicle on the ice .
Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous week .
Still nice Pike to 36 ” reported .
As usual , big shiners and suckers best for larger fish .
Bluegills : Good – Very early mornings in and around 8-10 ’ cabbage for the biggest Gills ( measured an 11 ¼ ” at shop Saturday ) , tungsten jigs in green , black , purple and red tipped with waxies , mousees or piece of beaver tail .
Crappies : Good – Bites come in windows , sometimes for an hour or less .
Late afternoons still best .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cabbage in 8-12 ’ use a gold or white # 8 rocker tipped with a yellow , white or pink plastic or piece of beaver tail .
Walleye : Good-Fair – Bite from previous week slowed .
Varied reports with most anglers finding better bites late ( 9-10 pm ) .
As bite less aggressive , better on live bait ( suckers ) than artificials .
Yellow Perch : Good-Fair – Not getting much for deeper reports as mid-lakes still off limits to most anglers .
Those finding Perch over mud flats doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jigs or Halis in 15-18 ’ .
Largemouth Bass : Good-Fair – Tip-ups with medium shiners in cabbage of 6-10 ’ best .
Ice fishing is taking place , and safely , in many areas .
The access ( or lack of ) due to inconsistent ice or slush has been the biggest draw back .
Areas of current ( flowages , inlets , etc . )
should be avoided or used with caution .
Areas near marshy shorelines should also be used with caution , as these areas hold heat and don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid bottomed areas .
All said , we want to encourage anglers to use the ice , but with caution .
There is plenty of fishable ice , but due to the strange way it has frozen , its not the same everywhere .
Not the news you want to read , but not totally unexpected in an odd winter like this one .
The Wisconsin DNR usuaully issues updates on Tuesday or Wednesday at https : //dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/rootriverreport.html Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said the steelhead have been good in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when conditions allow there ’ s been a few coho and whitefish off the south pier at St. Joseph .
Lakeside is closed until ice fishing .
Park hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For the southern Lake Michigan reports from the Wisconsin DNR , go to https : //dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/outdoorreport.html # 01

Johnny Morris, as in Bass Pro, not Johnny Morris, as in the Bears most prolific pass catcher. To understand the Morris mention, you need to read Mike Norris’ Green Lake report below.
Otherwise for this sprawling raw-fie Midwest Fishing Report, it’s waiting on ice fishing, catching perch when you can (surprisingly good at times) and getting out for coho in Indiana when weather allows.
Larry Green tweeted the photo above and this over the weekend:
First fish of 2020 and first northern pike I actually landed out of Lake Michigan safely released... @BowmanOutside @mullady21 @IceMonkey21 @AlexOquendo1
LAKEFRONT PERCH
Perch have been steadier in the Calumet for boaters, shore fishing on the South Side slips has been good at times, tough at others. Shore fishing at the downtown and North Side harbors, and the Chicago River has been tough to non-existent.
Pete Banach provided these examples of what the Calumet system has to offer for yellow perch. Provided
Pete Banach sent the photo above and this report from an outing up the Calumet:
14 7/8 and 13 incher. Good way to start the year. The big one went 1 1/2 pounds. Little one 1.1
Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted:
Perch fishing since last solid boat or shore from 87th to ford plant
PUBLIC SITE ICE FISHING REGULATIONS
(I figured just in case fishable ice forms in spots, I should include this.)
Ice fish at your own risk, unless noted. Ice fishing is not permitted at the Chicago Lagoons, FPD of Kendall County, FPD of Will County and FP of the Kankakee River Valley. FP COOK: Ice-fishing lakes are Arrowhead, Axehead, Beck, Belleau, Big Bend, Bode South only, Bullfrog, Busse main and south, Flatfoot, Green, Horsetail, Ida, Maple, Papoose, Powderhorn, Saganashkee Slough, Sag Quarry, Tampier, Turtlehead, Wampum. FPD DuPAGE: Permitted most sites. No ice fishing at Spring Creek Reservoir. Late-night fishing allowed at Deep Quarry, must be out of preserve by 11 p.m. FPD KANE: Permitted only at Lake Patterson (Hampshire South FP), Oakhurst FP, two ponds within Paul Wolff Campground and Grunwald Farms FP. LAKE FP: When conditions allow, ice fishing permitted 6:30 a.m. to sunset at Banana and Independence Grove south bay; 6:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset at Sterling. McHENRY CCD: Ice fishing at The Hollows (West Lake only). SILVER SPRINGS SFWA: Must used the east entrance.
LAKEFRONT PARKING
Readers suggest SpotHero app downtown. Montrose (free parking); Navy Pier (check in parking office in east lot, be out by 10 a.m. for $8 angler parking); DuSable Harbor (fisherman’s lot); Northerly Island/Burnham Harbor (meters or fisherman’s lot); Steelworkers Park (free street parking at east end of 87th).
CHICAGO LAKEFRONT PASSES
Pier passes ($6) for select piers in Chicago harbors and $10 parking passes (DuSable, Burnham fisherman’s lots) are available at Henry’s Sports and Bait or Northerly Island (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, credit card only).
AREA LAKES
Waiting on ice mainly.
CHAIN O’LAKES AREA
Proprietor Greg Dickson at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said a few are open-water fishing, but mainly ``We are waiting on winter to show up.’’
Just in case winter does show up, I am including this: Hermann’s Rest-a-While, which offers parking, access, food and drink at Nielsen’s Channel, also offers to include people on text messages about ice conditions.
Absolutely! Please tell anyone who wants to opt in to this service they can text ice conditions to (847) 309-2225.
CHICAGO RIVER
Waiting on perch to show.
COOLING LAKES
Braidwood, Heidecke and LaSalle are closed for the season.
DOWNSTATE
POWERTON: Open to bank fishing daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Boat fishing reopens Feb. 15.
Luis Gonzalez messaged the report and photo below from Sunday and that also led to the FOTW, click here for that:
Powerton was on fire for us today we hooked 8 fish totaling more than 200#. Myself along with Mike Bogd and Tommy Krysciak decided on a very impromptu trip after falling into the winter blues. Shortly after noon and within minutes of each other we were all hooked up. Tommy with a 20# me with a new person best of 41.6 and mike also with a new PB of 50.8 we only seen a total of 4 other fish netted for the day from the other Dozen anglers. The plant was not pumping but that didnt seem to affect the streak of luck we had
Two of the nice blues caught Sunday at Powerton. Provided
EMIQUON: Go to http://experienceemiquon.com/content/nature-conservancy-emiquon-preserve-lake-access. SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing. HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed for the season.
GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN
Johnny Morris at the NPAA gathering. Provided by Mike Norris
Guide Mike Norris texted the photo above:
Johnny Morris at the NPAA Convention in the Wisconsin Dells speaking about introducing youth into fishing
Norris emailed the report below and texted the photo below the report.
Fishing Report – 01/06/2020 Mike Norris Big Green Lake – Four inches of snow fell here early last week but by last Thursday the snow had melted. Two thirds of Beyer’s Cove remains covered with 4 to 5 inches of ice and anglers are catching bluegills. Open water anglers launching their boats in Big Green are pursuing both smallmouth bass and walleye. Lake trout fishing reopened on Big Green last Saturday and will run until September 30th. The minimum size limit for trout is 17 inches with a daily possession limit of two. I took a break from guiding last week and traveled to the Wisconsin Dells to attend the National Professional Anglers Association Annual Conference. Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris was the keynotes speaker and gave an impassioned presentation on the future of the sport. Little Green Lake – Walleyes are good at night and northern pike is good during the day. Walleyes are running 16 to 20 inches and are being caught on tip-ups baited with large shiners. Walleye are best right before dark and are being caught on tips-ups baited with large shiners. Wait a few hours into the night and the walleyes will bite again. Bluegills and perch are being caught around the island. Lake Puckaway – With warmer weather returning late last week the center of this lake has now reopened. Nonetheless shoreline areas are still holding ice thick enough to walk on and anglers fishing tip-ups baited with medium and large shiners continue to do well catching northern pike. Walleye are hit or miss. The minimum size limit for northern pike on Lake Puckaway is 32 inches with a possession limit of one fish per day. Contact Mike Norris, Wacky Worm Guide Service, at 630-842-8199 for Big Green Lake and other south-central Wisconsin guided fishing trips.
Libby Nehring of Marquette, WI with a Lake Puckaway northern pike caught ice fishing last week. Provided by Mike Norris
GREEN/STURGEON BAYS, WISCONSIN
Check the Wisconsin DNR weekly report at https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/OutdoorReport.html
LAKE ERIE
Check the report at http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/fishing/fishing-forecasts-and-reports/the-fish-ohio-report
LAKEFRONT
See perch at top. Otherwise, there are still a smattering of pike (see Larry Green at the top), brown trout, lake trout and steelhead being caught. Even some coho reports beginning.
Tim Adkins at Henry’s Sports and Bait in Bridgeport texted:
Hey Dale. I got out twice the past week for short 2-3 hour shots. First was mix of perching w/ minnows & throwing lures for browns at Montrose with no luck on either. Second outing was far south side a buddy and I got two carp on fly and another angler near us caught 2-3 small coho on spoons
I like that two carp on the fly.
Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop texted that the report was about the same as last week when she texted:
Boats are in 40 to 60 foot,a little south getting Lakers. Pier guys are seeing a few browns on powerlines and bottom fishing.
MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN
Check the D&S Bait update at https://www.facebook.com/dsbaitandtackle/.
MAZONIA
Lakes are open daily for fishing. If ice fishing comes, it will be at your own risk.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN
Kurt Justice at Kurt’s Island Sport Shop emailed:
Accidents and tragedy put a pall over ice fishing and outdoor activities this past week as reports of two ATV’s and three snowmobiles broke through the ice. Two of the snowmobilers did not survive which had effects from where it happened (Lake Nokomis in Tomahawk) to up here and to the families and hometowns of those who passed. To clarify, the snowmobiles broke through over a channel of current, not the main lake itself. One of the ATV’s hit a current pocket that created thin ice in that particular spot. Still, caution is advised anywhere you go. Walking and pre-drilling or chipping with a spud bar by all means before traveling with a motorized vehicle on the ice. Northern Pike: Good – Less action than previous week. Still nice Pike to 36 reported. As usual, big shiners and suckers best for larger fish. Bluegills: Good – Very early mornings in and around 8-10’ cabbage for the biggest Gills (measured an 11 ¼ at shop Saturday), tungsten jigs in green, black, purple and red tipped with waxies, mousees or piece of beaver tail. Crappies: Good – Bites come in windows, sometimes for an hour or less. Late afternoons still best. In and around tall, narrow leaf cabbage in 8-12’ use a gold or white #8 rocker tipped with a yellow, white or pink plastic or piece of beaver tail. Walleye: Good-Fair – Bite from previous week slowed. Varied reports with most anglers finding better bites late (9-10 pm). As bite less aggressive, better on live bait (suckers) than artificials. Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Not getting much for deeper reports as mid-lakes still off limits to most anglers. Those finding Perch over mud flats doing well with wigglers on Clam bomb style jigs or Halis in 15-18’. Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Tip-ups with medium shiners in cabbage of 6-10’ best. Ice fishing is taking place, and safely, in many areas. The access (or lack of) due to inconsistent ice or slush has been the biggest draw back. Areas of current (flowages, inlets, etc.) should be avoided or used with caution. Areas near marshy shorelines should also be used with caution, as these areas hold heat and don’t freeze as well as more solid bottomed areas. All said, we want to encourage anglers to use the ice, but with caution. There is plenty of fishable ice, but due to the strange way it has frozen, its not the same everywhere. Kurt Justice Kurt’s Island Sport Shop Like us on FaceBook
Not the news you want to read, but not totally unexpected in an odd winter like this one.
NORTHWEST INDIANA
Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted:
Perch fishing since last solid boat or shore from 87th to ford plant Coho fishing good at mouth of ditch fishing lake side or river side skein and crawlers and shrimp and squid doing best Small spoons and crankbaits for casters or trollers doing well Steelhead fishing in area tributaries ok fish are spread out from lower stretch’s to upper Voodoo jigs tipped with waxworms or butterworms best but few fish coming on spawn saks Still have musky suckers in stock
ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin DNR usuaully issues updates on Tuesday or Wednesday at https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/rootriverreport.html
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said the steelhead have been good in the river from Jasper Dairy on upstream; when conditions allow there’s been a few coho and whitefish off the south pier at St. Joseph.
SHABBONA LAKE
Lakeside is closed until ice fishing. Park hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN LAKEFRONT
For the southern Lake Michigan reports from the Wisconsin DNR, go to https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/outdoorreport.html#01
WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN
Guide Bill Stoeger at Fremont texted:


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Man charged with setting own home on fire in Downers Grove

A man accused of setting his own home on fire last month in west suburban Downers Grove was taken into custody and charged Monday after an arrest warrant was issued two days prior .
Robert Clauser , 52 , faces one felony count of residential arson , the DuPage County state ’ s attorney ’ s office said .
His bail was set at $ 50,000 .
Authorities responded to a home about 7:03 a.m. Dec. 20 to a fire in the 1700 block of Virginia Street , the state ’ s attorney ’ s office said .
The residence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and investigators found gas cans , propane tanks and other combustible items inside the home .
“ It is alleged that in the early morning hours of December 20 , 2019 , Mr. Clauser intentionally set fire to his residence , ” DuPage County State ’ s Attorney Robert Berlin said .
“ Thankfully , no one was injured , and the fire was contained to Mr. Clauser ’ s residence and did not cause any damage to neighboring homes.
” Neighbors called in the fire and told authorities they saw Clauser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Herrick Highland and Pierce Downer schools were put on soft lockdown through the early afternoon .
Clauser is due in court again Jan. 9 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A man accused of setting his own home on fire last month in west suburban Downers Grove was taken into custody and charged Monday after an arrest warrant was issued two days prior.
Robert Clauser, 52, faces one felony count of residential arson, the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office said. His bail was set at $50,000.
Authorities responded to a home about 7:03 a.m. Dec. 20 to a fire in the 1700 block of Virginia Street, the state’s attorney’s office said. The residence was “fully engulfed in fire,” and investigators found gas cans, propane tanks and other combustible items inside the home.
Robert Clauser DuPage County state’s attorney’s office
“It is alleged that in the early morning hours of December 20, 2019, Mr. Clauser intentionally set fire to his residence,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “Thankfully, no one was injured, and the fire was contained to Mr. Clauser’s residence and did not cause any damage to neighboring homes.”
Neighbors called in the fire and told authorities they saw Clauser flee the scene.
Belle Aire, Herrick Highland and Pierce Downer schools were put on soft lockdown through the early afternoon.
Clauser is due in court again Jan. 9.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Elizabeth Wurtzel, ‘Prozac Nation’ author, dies at 52

Elizabeth Wurtzel , the writer best known for her best-selling 1994 memoir “ Prozac Nation : Young and Depressed in America , ” has died at a hospital in Manhattan , according to reports from the Washington Post and The New York Times .
She was 52 .
Named for the popular anti-depressant , “ Prozac Nation ” chronicled Wurtzel ’ s struggle with depression and drug addiction with candor and humor , and is credited with helping to destigmatize conversations about mental health .
The Times reports the cause of death to be metastatic breast cancer , resulting from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an advocate for BRCA testing after her diagnosis , writing in a 2015 article for The Times , “ I DID not know I have the BRCA mutation .
I did not know I would likely get breast cancer when I was still young , when the disease is a wild animal .
I caught it fast and I acted fast , but I must have looked away : By the time of my double mastectomy , the cancer had spread to five lymph nodes.
” Wurtzel went on to write , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am cancer free .
I am cured .
But cancer plays hide and seek in wunderkind ways .
It is the sparkle of dirt at the bottom of the dustbin that never gets tossed.
” Wurtzel is the author of several additional books , including “ More , Now , Again : A Memoir of Addiction ” and “ Bitch : In Praise of Difficult Women .
”

Elizabeth Wurtzel, the writer best known for her best-selling 1994 memoir “Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America,” has died at a hospital in Manhattan, according to reports from the Washington Post and The New York Times. She was 52.
Named for the popular anti-depressant, “Prozac Nation” chronicled Wurtzel’s struggle with depression and drug addiction with candor and humor, and is credited with helping to destigmatize conversations about mental health.
The Times reports the cause of death to be metastatic breast cancer, resulting from the BRCA genetic mutation. Wurtzel became an advocate for BRCA testing after her diagnosis, writing in a 2015 article for The Times, “I DID not know I have the BRCA mutation. I did not know I would likely get breast cancer when I was still young, when the disease is a wild animal. I caught it fast and I acted fast, but I must have looked away: By the time of my double mastectomy, the cancer had spread to five lymph nodes.”
Wurtzel went on to write, “According to the PET scan, I am cancer free. I am cured. But cancer plays hide and seek in wunderkind ways. It is the sparkle of dirt at the bottom of the dustbin that never gets tossed.”
Wurtzel is the author of several additional books, including “More, Now, Again: A Memoir of Addiction” and “Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women.”
Read more at usatoday.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Citing legal concerns, Lightfoot halts ordinance targeting rising home prices along 606 trail

For the second time in two-and-a-half years , a plan to stop a 50 % surge in home prices along the wildly-popular 606 trail has apparently been stopped dead in its tracks .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has put the brakes on the plan introduced last month by a pair of local aldermen to freeze residential development along the popular trail for 14 months .
Aldermen Roberto Maldonado ( 26th ) and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa ( 35th ) want to maintain the status quo to give the city time to devise a long-term solution to the gentrification that is forcing low-and moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But , Lightfoot said no dice .
It ’ s not legal .
“ Mayor Lightfoot is committed to working with the City Council to expand affordable housing in a way that considers the unique needs of every community , ” mayoral spokeswoman Eugenia Orr said in an emailed statement .
“ After review of the proposed ordinance , there were questions and concerns about the alderman ’ s proposal , as it would unilaterally ban zoning changes in areas near the 606 , as well as halt any building permits in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Alderman Maldonado and other aldermen in the area regarding potential changes to the draft ordinance.
” Ramirez-Rosa , dean of the City Council ’ s six-member Socialist Caucus , was surprised and disappointed by the decision made by a mayor who lives in Logan Square , which is ground zero for the city ’ s affordable housing crisis .
Ramirez-Rosa said he ’ s puzzled by the mayor ’ s stance because the freeze was developed in concert with Lightfoot ’ s own Law Department .
“ We need to take action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the loss of two- and three-flats in the communities surrounding the 606 , ” Ramirez-Rosa said .
“ What the freeze would allow us to do is assess what is the impact on the surrounding community , what is the data we ’ re able to collect .
It really allows us to study the issue while we continue to preserve the two-and-three flats .
...
The community around the 606 in Logan Square is not vacant lots .
These are two-and-three flats that we ’ re losing .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The freeze is to make sure that we hold the situation steady while we ’ re able to study the impact and come up with an optimal solution.
” And what happens if the city fails to do something as dramatic as a freeze ?
“ We ’ re gon na continue to see under-enrollment in our schools .
We ’ re gon na continue to see cuts to our schools because of the results of cuts in per-pupil funding .
We ’ re gon na continue to see the negative impacts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , Ramirez-Rosa told the Sun-Times he had “ spoken with the administration ” and was working on “ a few minor changes and hope to have an agreement on language that can pass committee soon.
” ” They took issue with characterization ... that they were opposing or putting a stop to the ordinance , ” Ramirez-Rosa wrote in a text message .
” I feel good about where we are right now.
” Maldonado could not be reached for comment .
In 2017 , Maldonado joined forces with now-former Ald .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ordinance that would have imposed dramatically higher demolition fees along the trail and impose a new “ de-conversion fee ” whenever developers try to turn multi-family housing into more lucrative single-family homes .
That ordinance also went nowhere .
At the time , housing prices west of Western Avenue had increased by 48.2 percent since ground was broken on the 2.7-mile urban oasis , according to a study by the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University .
The converted elevated freight right-of-way , officially the Bloomingdale Trail , became known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common digits of Chicago ZIP codes .
It has become a mecca for bicycle riders , skaters , runners and pedestrians .
Housing prices east of the trail are up by nearly 14 percent .

For the second time in two-and-a-half years, a plan to stop a 50% surge in home prices along the wildly-popular 606 trail has apparently been stopped dead in its tracks.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has put the brakes on the plan introduced last month by a pair of local aldermen to freeze residential development along the popular trail for 14 months.
Aldermen Roberto Maldonado (26th) and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) want to maintain the status quo to give the city time to devise a long-term solution to the gentrification that is forcing low-and moderate income families out of their homes.
But, Lightfoot said no dice. It’s not legal.
“Mayor Lightfoot is committed to working with the City Council to expand affordable housing in a way that considers the unique needs of every community,” mayoral spokeswoman Eugenia Orr said in an emailed statement.
“After review of the proposed ordinance, there were questions and concerns about the alderman’s proposal, as it would unilaterally ban zoning changes in areas near the 606, as well as halt any building permits in the area. We remain engaged in conversations with Alderman Maldonado and other aldermen in the area regarding potential changes to the draft ordinance.”
Ramirez-Rosa, dean of the City Council’s six-member Socialist Caucus, was surprised and disappointed by the decision made by a mayor who lives in Logan Square, which is ground zero for the city’s affordable housing crisis.
Ramirez-Rosa said he’s puzzled by the mayor’s stance because the freeze was developed in concert with Lightfoot’s own Law Department.
“We need to take action to address the displacement in our neighborhoods and the loss of two- and three-flats in the communities surrounding the 606,” Ramirez-Rosa said.
“What the freeze would allow us to do is assess what is the impact on the surrounding community, what is the data we’re able to collect. It really allows us to study the issue while we continue to preserve the two-and-three flats. ... The community around the 606 in Logan Square is not vacant lots. These are two-and-three flats that we’re losing. They’re being replaced with luxury single-family homes. The freeze is to make sure that we hold the situation steady while we’re able to study the impact and come up with an optimal solution.”
And what happens if the city fails to do something as dramatic as a freeze?
“We’re gonna continue to see under-enrollment in our schools. We’re gonna continue to see cuts to our schools because of the results of cuts in per-pupil funding. We’re gonna continue to see the negative impacts of displacement,” Ramirez-Rosa said.
Later Tuesday, Ramirez-Rosa told the Sun-Times he had “spoken with the administration” and was working on “a few minor changes and hope to have an agreement on language that can pass committee soon.”
”They took issue with characterization ... that they were opposing or putting a stop to the ordinance,” Ramirez-Rosa wrote in a text message.
”I feel good about where we are right now.”
Maldonado could not be reached for comment.
In 2017, Maldonado joined forces with now-former Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st) on an ordinance that would have imposed dramatically higher demolition fees along the trail and impose a new “de-conversion fee” whenever developers try to turn multi-family housing into more lucrative single-family homes.
That ordinance also went nowhere.
At the time, housing prices west of Western Avenue had increased by 48.2 percent since ground was broken on the 2.7-mile urban oasis, according to a study by the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University.
The converted elevated freight right-of-way, officially the Bloomingdale Trail, became known as the “606” because of the common digits of Chicago ZIP codes. It has become a mecca for bicycle riders, skaters, runners and pedestrians. Housing prices east of the trail are up by nearly 14 percent.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-07--Senate confirms Jovita Carranza, from Skokie, to be new SBA chief

WASHINGTON — The Senate Tuesday confirmed Jovita Carranza , from Skokie , to be the next chief of the Small Business Administration on an 88-5 vote .
With her confirmation to be the administrator of the Small Business Administration , Carranza becomes the highest-ranking Hispanic female in the Trump administration .
Both Illinois Senators , Democrats Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth voted to confirm her .
Before President Donald Trump tapped Carranza to run the SBA , she was the U.S. Treasurer .
Trump said in a tweet last year when he announced her nomination , “ I am pleased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominated as the new @ SBAgov Administrator .
She will be replacing Linda McMahon , who has done an outstanding job .
Jovita was a great Treasurer of the United States - and I look forward to her joining my Cabinet !
” During Trump ’ s presidential campaign , Carranza was a member of Trump ’ s National Hispanic Advisory Council .
As U. S. Treasurer , her signature was on all U.S. paper currency .
She became Treasurer on April , 28 , 2017 .
Carranza was named by former Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Illinois Enterprise Zone Board in March 2015 .
In the George W. Bush administration , Carranza was the deputy administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration , serving from the end of 2006 through January 2009 .
Before her first stint at the SBA , Carranza was an executive at the United Parcel Service .

WASHINGTON — The Senate Tuesday confirmed Jovita Carranza, from Skokie, to be the next chief of the Small Business Administration on an 88-5 vote.
With her confirmation to be the administrator of the Small Business Administration, Carranza becomes the highest-ranking Hispanic female in the Trump administration.
Both Illinois Senators, Democrats Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth voted to confirm her.
Before President Donald Trump tapped Carranza to run the SBA, she was the U.S. Treasurer.
Trump said in a tweet last year when he announced her nomination, “I am pleased to announce that Jovita Carranza will be nominated as the new @SBAgov Administrator. She will be replacing Linda McMahon, who has done an outstanding job. Jovita was a great Treasurer of the United States - and I look forward to her joining my Cabinet!”
During Trump’s presidential campaign, Carranza was a member of Trump’s National Hispanic Advisory Council.
As U. S. Treasurer, her signature was on all U.S. paper currency. She became Treasurer on April, 28, 2017.
Carranza was named by former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to be on the Illinois Enterprise Zone Board in March 2015. In the George W. Bush administration, Carranza was the deputy administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, serving from the end of 2006 through January 2009.
Before her first stint at the SBA, Carranza was an executive at the United Parcel Service.