Joe Zekas R.I.P.

 Joe Zekas ran the real estate news website YoChicago. If you have been following that site and their social media channels i.e. YouTube or X/Twitter you might find that he hadn't updated since June 2023 which was the month that he was said to have passed away unexpectedly.

Zekas in the early days would link to us frequently and you might find a few comments here from him in the past. And he caught my eye thanks to his coverage of some of the south side neighborhoods such as Pill Hill, Pullman, Englewood, Chatham, West Chesterfield, etc.

Even did a video I featured here called "treating your skin disease" he railed against the bias toward buying and living in "certain" communities based upon the predominant ethnicities in those communities. For example I do believe he was speaking of Chatham he might say why isn't Chatham a destination for everyone to consider buying and living there? [VIDEO]

As of late I see YoChicago appears to be a one man shop with Zekas running everything. He's the only one listed on staff there. He's had people like Joe Askins, Eric Stonikas, Whet Moser, and others work with him over the years. In addition some of the people who worked with him at YoChicago had also joined Curbed Chicago back when the Curbed publication had more local editions. So I'm sure there's quite a learning tree out there for people who want to follow what's going on in Chicago real estate.

My condolences to Zekas' family.

As we head into 2024, I couldn't allow this to go unnoticed on this blog! 

Death of state trooper on Dan Ryan ruled a suicide

Sun-Times:

The death of an Illinois State Police trooper found Friday on the Dan Ryan Expressway has been ruled a suicide, according to autopsy results released Saturday.

Gerald Mason, 35, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

The incident happened around 1:45 p.m. in the inbound lanes of the Dan Ryan at 43rd Street, state police said in a statement. A passerby came to his aid and police drove him to a hospital where he died.

...

During a news conference hours after the shooting, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said his troopers may “seem like superheroes on many days, but they are not immortal.”

“They are not indestructible. They are humans with hearts, minds and souls, as fragile as the next person,” he said. “They have a breaking point.”

I don't want to add anything more to this. Very tragic and again condolences to Trooper Mason's family. 

The city of Chicago is OK with dead bodies in the alley?

Why is the city OK with dead bodies sitting around for days?

OK, so it's not a HUMAN body.

But I called on Friday, June 23 about a dead kitten in the alley.  While someone moved the body deeper into the weeds, the body is still rotting, with flies all around.

It has been nearly a week, with no action. (Well, the flies certainly have a lot of action). I called again today. Foolishly, I forgot to get the request number. ...so course, they have no record of the request. Reminder: ALWAYS GET THE REQUEST NUMBER, and HAVE THEM TEXT IT TO YOU! The request number is now  17-04280559

Why is the city OK with dead bodies (even if it is an animal)? We know the mayor has an affinity for dead fish....but dead kittens?

Ruggles alum Demario Bailey will be remembered at the school today

We apologize for the late notice, but we just got this e-mail from Cee Powell of Greater Chatham Alliance. There is a memorial for Demario Bailey, who was tragically shot, simply for defending his brother. 

This event will start at 4pm today (an hour from publication of this event).

I'm sorry for the short notice, but things have been so hectic and I really thought I had sent this to you guys yesterday.  There will be a memorial held for Demario Bailey today.  Because Demario & Demacio have been members of the Ruggles family since Pre-k as well as the community his death has hit us all very hard...and Kendell LaRue being a Ruggles Alumi himself put together this memorial together to give the students at Ruggles as well as the community a way to pay trubute to Demario.  As you may know he still has an abundance of friends & staff members that could not make it to the memorials held at Johnson College Prep and we of his Ruggles family need to give our children an outlet to grieve and honor him.  I in particular because the twins adopted my daughter who's now 13 as their little sister and she was emotionally upset that she could not attend the memorials at Johnson Prep...which I thought was a wonderful thing on Kendells' part. both the school and I have talked to Delores and she was very touched by Kendell's actions.  So if you guys are available please come.

 

 

We hope to have more details soon.

2 shot at gang funeral: 'This is crazy'

This shooting is more disturbing than most as it happened during a funeral, near a church. The presiding minister for the funeral was Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church. He is the pastor who made national news by camping out on the roof of an abandoned motel, and was abel to purchase and demolish it through that campaign.

The following is from the Chicago Tribune's news blog: Chicago Breaking News.

2 shot at gang funeral: 'This is crazy'

Authorities: 2 dead, 1 wounded in Chatham shooting

An shooting at 79th & ST. Lawrence has left 1 dead and 2 injured. And this happened in broad daylight.

From Chicago Breaking News:

Two assailants wearing masks opened fire this afternoon leaving two people dead and a 17-year-old girl hospitalized in serious condition in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side.

The shooting happened about 1:15 p.m. in the 7900 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue, fire and police officials said.

Two men wearing masks shot three people: a 20-year-old man who was dead on the scene, a 17-year-old girl in the lower back, and an 18-year-old man in the leg and lower arm, according to police.

Christopher Spraggins, 20, of 348 E. 76th St., was pronounced dead on the scene while the male in his late teens was pronounced dead at 2:14 p.m. at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Police said the teen girl was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Kevin MacGregor, she was in serious condition.

The gunmen ran eastbound after the shooting and fled into a car, police said.

No arrests have been made this evening, according to police News Affairs Officer Daniel O'Brien.

Four people were killed and at least 14 wounded in shootings in Chicago between 4:15 p.m. Friday and early Saturday morning.'

Authorities: 2 dead, 1 wounded in Chatham shooting

...And from our Facebook page:

Jan M. Hooks My nephew was the young man who was killed. Please keep his family and those who were wounded in your thoughts and prayers. We need to do something about the violence in this city and especially on the south side of Chicago

Ms. Hooks also added that there was another shooting a few hours later at 79th and Prairie.

My wife read this news, and stated to me that she wants to leave Chatham at our first opportunity. How do we combat the fear that drives away good citizens?

GCA ANNOUNCEMENT: Sadly, TOYA BEY, former GCA Safety & Security Chairman has passed

An official message from Greater Chatham Alliance (sent Dec. 27), which clarifies a news story about a GCA member:

Dear Greater Chatham Alliance members, Chatham and 6th Ward neighbors:

I've been getting a lot of emails and calls regarding the death of Toya Bey since it was released by the media in the last day and a half.

And truly, I am terribly saddened and sorry to issue this statement regarding her death. As most of you know, Toya was GCA's first Safety & Security Committee Chairman.

GCA is sending this announcement out via an email blast because ABC-TV (Channel 7) wrongly reported her death yesterday.

Here is an actual account of what occurred.

After struggling for the past three years with illness, Toya suffered a heart attack. What is more heartbreaking is the way it happened. As her neighbor, my husband and I were witness to part of this tragic occurrence.

This past Friday, Christmas Eve, around 10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., I was barely up when I heard a frantic ringing on my doorbell and loud banging on my door. It was Toya's housekeeper who had arrived that morning to assist Toya with her Christmas Eve preparations.

Linda shouted through the door, as I was opening it, to call 911. She frantically said Toya had collapsed.

I, in turn, grabbed my cordless phone in the living room, called 911 and simultaneously ran up the stairs to get my husband. I was still in my pjs. Darwin quickly threw on his pants, shoes and a jacket and flew out the front door.

We live one door-- South-- of Toya's home. Unfortunately, Toya, in an effort to get help, exited from her side, kitchen door. That door is facing directly opposite the front door
of the neighbor's home who lives North of Toya's house.

Within three to four minutes from when Darwin went around to see what he could do, I received a phone call from his cell phone.

He told me that he felt Toya was dead. Before I could even react, an ambulance pulled up. (Yes, an ambulance arrived in 5 minutes and the police in 8 to 10 minutes.)

Darwin said, Toya, dressed only in her nightgown, was lying on the ground between the inner-lane corridor of the two homes.

Naturally, we had both assumed when her housekeeper came over to our home that Toya was inside the house.

We also found out later that the senior neighbor who lived in the home, North of Toya's house, had left early, around 4 p.m., on Friday, the day before Christmas Eve, to stay with her daughter's family for the holidays.

So no one was at the neighbor's home on Christmas Eve.

After the ambulance arrived, Darwin came to our front door and said it was official: Toya had died. Over the course of the next 15 to 20 minutes, since Toya had a very small family with no parents or siblings alive, we had to figure out a way to contact her boyfriend.

Here is another sad truth, we never had access to an emergency number for next of kin. Probably, because middle-aged people don't think about it like seniors, or people with children when they are living at home by themselves.

I know Toya always knew our Wabash blocks were tight enough that most of us had at least 65% of the neighbors' numbers. (Yes, we too don't have the 35% who live in the six-flat on our block).

But as you can clearly see, it doesn't always work as planned.

In any case, we figured out, among our friends, who might know how to contact Toya's boyfriend because they were closer to him. After two calls, we got lucky and got his number. Darwin called him and naturally, he was on his way.

All in all, the Chicago Breaking News site did a better job reporting her death: given her heart attack, Toya's death was accelerated due to cold exposure. The police said after examining
her that she was probably outside on the ground for over 5-6 hours--maybe even longer. It looked like she left the house in the late evening hours; but no one can really say for sure. And, the neighbor didn't have her motion lights on.

Here again, is an ill-fated aspect. Think about it! Had the motion lights been on, someone passing by in a car, or walking by, might have seen Toya laying on the ground and rushed to her aid.

What is also known is that when she fell, Toya may have also hit her head. Plus, her main kitchen door closed behind her. I am just hypothesizing here, but her small dog may have accidently jumped on the door and shut it. You see, the kitchen door was tightly closed.

Normally, as you know, GCA does not make death or funeral announcements. As a former GCA Executive Board member, we are going to make an exception and send out a notice on her funeral arrangements. This is to accommodate folks who have asked me to forward that info to them.

Thank you for all your condolences to GCA and for sharing your sadness with me. But one thing I think Toya would have wanted me really say about this:

If you live alone, or have a senior relative living with you, you may want to invest in a panic button with your alarm system, or get one from the company that sells the "Life Alert" system. Remember their tag line:

"Help I've fallen and can't get up!"

http://www.lifealert.com/

Toya was always good at calling things the way they were-candidly. And I think that she would want people to learn from this situation as she always shared what she knew to be true from her professional experience in the past.

I can honestly say: this whole event has made me consider things a little differently myself as part of a middle-aged couple.

Please commend her soul in your prayers to God. Toya would have been glad to know so many of you expressed your concern and sorrow.


Leslie Honore

GCA Corresponding Secretary

Here's the Chicago Tribune story in question:

Police: Concrete Beam or Wall Falls, Kills Worker on South Side

Pic by Levois in 2009

I was working on a blog post, trying to get photos of the demolishing of the old Central State Bank building, owned by Carter Temple, on 79th near State.

The following news story was shown on Fox 32's 9pm news show.

Police: Concrete Beam or Wall Falls, Kills Worker on South Side

Chicago - A worker was killed in a construction accident on the South Side on Wednesday morning.

The incident happened about 8:54 a.m. 11 E. 79th St., according to Fire Media Affairs.

“A male construction worker was fatally injured when a concrete beam or wall fell on top of him,” police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said.

The victim was dead on the scene, according to Fire Media Affairs.

Let us know if you have more info on either the incident or the project...

Wounded victims describe fatal bank robbery

A Chicago Tribune article (from today) talking about the trial, which involves the robbery and murder at Illinois Federal Savings and Loan 4 years ago.

A retired school teacher and security guard calmly recounted in federal court today how they were shot and wounded four years ago when three masked men stormed into a Chatham neighborhood bank.

One of the alleged suspects, David Vance, is on trial in federal court in connection with the takeover robbery in which teller Tramaine Gibson was fatally shot.

Customer Dorothy Sanders told jurors she realized a bank robbery was underway that day in May 2007 when she saw a man running inside Illinois Federal Savings and Loan as she met with the branch manager.

See the rest of the article here --> Wounded victims describe fatal bank robbery

Lighter started Englewood house fire that killed three children

[VIDEO] from ABC 7. The fire took place at 6758 S. Emerald Ave.

Write up from the Sun-Times:

A mother and father fought desperately to save their 10 childrens’ lives but couldn’t rescue three of them when a fire that was started accidentally by one of the children quickly spread through their Englewood home early Thursday.

Just minutes after one of Stacey Austin and Samantha Sims’ young children accidentally started the fire while playing with a disposable cigarette lighter, the 2 1/2-story frame home near 68th and Emerald on the South Side was engulfed in flames.

“I tried to get my babies out . . . but it was too late by that time,” said a distraught Austin, who was sleeping when the fire broke out just after 2 a.m.

Austin said he tried to douse the flames with water he brought from the kitchen in a pot.

Firefighters found 4-year-old Joseph Austin, his 2-year-old sister Dashiyah Austin and 10-year-old brother Stacey Austin Jr. in a back bedroom on the first floor. Dashiyah was dead. Joseph and Stacey Jr. were rushed to the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital but died there.

Austin said he and his wife thought everyone was out safely but realized after they were out that three were still inside.

“There were so many of them, 10 of them,” said the children’s mother, Samantha Sims, crying outside what remained of her home. “I tried so hard to take care of them.”

“He was just the happiest little fella I ever met in my life,” Austin said of the boy named after him.

Chicago Fire Department. spokesman Larry Langford said the fire began when one of the couple’s 10 children, playing with a lighter in his bedroom, accidentally started his bunk bed on fire. It quickly spread to the rest of the room, despite the parents’ attempts to extinguish the blaze using pots full of water, Langford said.

My heart goes out to this particular family. 

South Side man 12th cold-related death

South Side man 12th cold-related death - The SouthtownStar

Sometimes I'm not always timely, but I do often like to show that there are places you can go to get out of the cold. To be sure however I'm not certain what this man's circumstances were:

An elderly man found unresponsive Feb. 4 outside his South Side home died in part because of the cold, marking at least the 12th cold-related death in Cook County this winter.

Fred Battle, 80, of the 7300 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, was found unresponsive outside his home and pronounced dead at 11:52 a.m. Feb. 4 at University of Chicago Hospitals, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said.

Battle died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, but cold exposure was a secondary cause of his death, according to an autopsy performed Tuesday. His death was ruled an accident.

I'm sure a lot of us could do better jobs on this, but we need to check on our elderly and be sure that they're taking care of during any extreme weather whether we're talking heat or the cold snap we're currently experiencing.

Here's a link to warming and cooling centers around the city.

Pastor John Warner of Crerar Presbyterian goes home to be with the Lord

Pastor John Warner was the longtime Pastor of Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church . According to the son of a recent guest preacher (and who worked at Crerar himself), Pasotr Warner had broken his neck, and had been out for some time (explaining the number of guest preachers in recent weeks), but finally went home to be with the Lord a few days ago.

The Chatham Avalon Park Community Council blog had a brief entry on Thursday

Condolences to the family of Pastor John Warner the longtime Pastor of Crerar Presbyterian Church 8100 S. Calumet.Pastor Warner was an active Pastor at a progressive Church, Crerar. When ever the pastor would say " The doors of the church are open" it was truly meant. Numerous block clubs, community organization, accepted his hospitality, beyond that, Pastor Warner was a quite storm that provided both inspiration and direction to his church and our community, he will be greatly missed.

What's next for Crerar? I live literally down the block, and am interested in not just the history of Crerar (which added to the building as recently as 1989) , but also the future.

As a side note, Natalie Moore, reporter for WBEZ (Chicago Public Radio) was a part of Crerar and knew Pastor Warner well. (She honored him in her latets Facebook status).

Shooting (and death) on 79th & St. Lawrence

Just saw this on the Tribune's Chicago Breaking News site

A 23-year-old man who was shot in the head and neck Wednesday night on the South Side in the city's Chatham neighborhood has died from his injuries.

Officers and paramedics responded about 8 p.m. to the 600 block of East 79th Street and found the man with gunshot wounds to his neck and head, police said.

Preliminary reports said the man was approached by two male suspects, one on foot and the other was riding a bicycle. The person riding the bicycle fired shots, striking the victim. Both suspects fled northbound from the scene, police said.

The victim was taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

No one was in custody for the shooting. Calumet Area detectives were investigating.

As scary as this is...we NEED to ALL walk the streets. The more we're out there (and not alone), the more we can save our neighborhood.

Funeral arrangements for Pastor James Demus III ; Homegoing of Rev. Joseph McAfee

Mark S Allen posted this on his blog on ChicagoNow. The photo is from Park Manor Christian Church's website

"Dedicated to my friend, mentor, colleague, ally, clergy-activist partner for over 20 years. What you taught me and what we worked on through the years with PUSH and other efforts will live on in me and those like me that God blessed you touch. I will miss you buddy !"

The viewing of Rev. James L. Demus' body will be held Sunday, September 26, 2010, from Noon to 5 p.m. at the Cage Funeral Home, 7651 S. Jeffery, Chicago, IL 60649.

Visitation services for Rev. Demus, 57, who died last Thursday, will be held noon, Monday, September 27, 2010 at the Park Manor Christian Church, 600 E. 73rd St., where he was senior pastor. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with burial held at the Mount Hope Cemetery, 115th and Fairfield.

At 6 p.m., Sunday, September 26, 2010, there will be a 25th anniversary gala held at the Doubletree Hotel, 5000 W. 127th Street, Alsip, IL, celebrating the life and works of Rev. James L. Demus, III. For further information, call the church at: 773-483-2115 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              773-483-2115      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or e-mail: parkmanorchristianchurch@yahoo.com.


Reverend James L. Demus III


Biography


Long time Chicagoan, Reverend James L. Demus III has served Park Manor Christian Church in Chicago, IL for the past quarter century. Under his leadership Park Manor Christian Church has flourished as one of the largest, most influential African American congregations in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has personally mentored a legacy of twelve "Timothy's" spread throughout the United States, touching numerous lives during his ministerial career.


An activist at heart, Reverend Demus has reached out beyond the walls of the church to address social justice issues such economic disparity, education equality and political inclusion to enrich and empower the lives of the underserved. Well known in religious and political circles, Reverend Demus is a renowned preacher, spiritual teacher, religious scholar, motivational speaker, social justice activist, entrepreneur, corporate consultant, and church growth advocate.


He was the co-convener of the now historic Million Man March - opening up the doors of Park Manor to jumpstart diversity and cohesion amongst different denominations and religious orders. This decision to work together with Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam as a team materialized into One Million Black Men coming together in solidarity and faith in Washington, D.C.


A former teacher and long-time advocate for the Chicago Public Schools, Reverend Demus has always shown a special interest in children, whom he credits for leading him to the ministry. Over the years he has sought to promote and improve academic excellence. As an apprentice of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, he worked as Special Assistant to the President for PUSH and as Assistant Director of the Push Excel Program: a program designed to encourage children and teens to succeed and take responsibility for their education.


He has been and remains a champion for improving the spiritual, social and leadership skills of America's youth. He has hosted workshops, tutoring, and church/community based programs through his church and the now defunct Blue Gargoyle Youth Service in Chicago.


Reverend Demus is the co-founder of the Ministerial Alliance Against the Digital Divide (MAADD), a group that focuses on promoting and improving access to technology and the internet. According to Mayor Daley, "Technology can enhance opportunity, improve knowledge and workforce skills, expand economic development and encourage innovation."

To expand their reach to the community, MAADD recently launched the "community pulpit" blogs to provide timely information about various social justice issues. Reverend Demus was among the first to speak up when auditors discovered $5 million dollars worth of computer equipment was stored in a warehouse unused for several years after SBC had purchased the material with the intent of donation to the Chicago Public Schools.


To boost economic development and help black-owned businesses create jobs, he helped to revive the Black Expo along with the late Reverend Bernard Taylor under the umbrella Black Expo Chicago and National Black Expo.


Reverend Demus has been active in local, state and national politics, increasing voter registration, and has used his influence to elect numerous local, state and national political figures such as Presidents William Clinton and Barack Obama. In 1984, he was a National Democratic Party's Rules Committee Member which resulted in better representation for women, young people and minorities--Super Delegates.


Reverend Demus earned a bachelor's degree in education from Northern Illinois University in 1975, and a Masters of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary seven years later. He also received a Certificate of Award in Faith-based Community Development from Harvard University in 1999. He has served as the Executive Director of the Chicago South Side Branch of the NAACP and is Co-Convener of the Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN).


Reverend Demus is the recipient of numerous awards and certificates including the prestigious Community Service Fellowship of the Chicago Community Trust. He is a strong believer in the "power of prayer." Additionally, he believes there's power in Black Churches and not just the spiritual kind. He remains a successful advocate for human rights and social change.


Rev. Demus is survived by his loving wife Eleanor Demus, two sons, Joshua Von Demus and James L. Demus IV, two step-daughters, Robyn L. Cushingberry and Marie C. Babb-Fowler, step-son Lamont Sharp, two sisters, Alice Jean Sithole (Washington, D.C.), Gwendolyn Miller (Eric) (Chicago, IL), a brother, Obediah Demus (Marva) (Cincinnati, OH), grandchildren, Anna J. Chapman-Demus, Candyce L. Black, Brittany Thompson, and Andrew Babb-Fowler.

==========
In addition to Pastor Demus' homegoing, Rev. Joseph McAfee went home to be with the Lord in early September.  Rev. McAfee ran for alderman in the neighboring 8th Ward. However, his  church, Central United Community Church,  is on Cottage Grove near 85th. Mark S Allen also blogged about Rev. McAfee's funeral. 

Brothers and sisters, from all the grassroots organizing movements that led up to the foundation for the first Black Mayor to the first Black to be elected United States President, the Rev. Joseph McAfee was a legendary religious leader and activist and it was indeed an honor and privelage to have been a student, friend, and activist colleague with Rev. McAfee for over 25 years in Chicago. I cannot think of any Civil Rights or Black empowerment movement in any area in Chicago where you did not find the presence of Rev. McAfee. He indeed leaves a legacy of other young activists and those in the ministry who his leadership example will carry on in all of us he and his activism touched directly and indirectly. He was indeed a champion for the least of Gods people.

Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council: Condolences to the family of Rev. James L. Demus I...

From Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council:

Condolences go to the family and Park Manor Christian Church (600 E. 73rd Street) on the passing of their Senior Pastor, James L. Demus III. Rev. Demus pastor since 1985 was both inspirational and advisory in day to day conversations.

Known not just as a preacher but as community organizer, consultant, growth activist and motivational speaker, his talent and conversation will be missed. We pray for and with the family.

Pastor Demus was the Senior Pastor of Park Manor Christian Church. The church has property at 84th & King Drive, and have been working over several years to convert that land into a new church.

Pastor Demus was also involved with politics, such as the 2007 Aldermanic Race in the ward, as well as a 2008 Democratic Presidential delegate for Hilary Clinton.

Alert: The Choking Game

Chicago Police have become aware of a potentially deadly game children are playing that may result in death or near-death experiences. In the "choking game," participants attempt to experience a euphoric feeling by temporarily depriving the brain of oxygen by applying pressure to the neck until they pass out. Parents may seek information about risks associated with the choking game to help prevent children from playing the game.


• Strange bruising or red marks around the neck
• Bloodshot eyes
• Bed sheets, belts, T-shirts, ties, or ropes tied in strange knots and/or found in unusual places
• Visiting Web sites or chat rooms mentioning asphyxiation or the choking game
• Curiosity about asphyxiation (asking questions like “how does it feel?” or “what happens if?”)
• Disorientation and/or grogginess after being alone
• Locked or blocked bedroom or bathroom doors
• Frequent, often severe headaches
• Changes in attitude; becoming more aggressive
• Wear marks on furniture (bunk beds or closet rods)


If parents believe a child is playing the choking game, speak with the young person about the life-threatening dangers associated with the game and seek additional help if necessary.



If you have any questions about the "Choking Game," call Area 5 Detectives at
312-746-8282



For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/3136328/.

At the prayer vigil

To be honest, it didn't seem like too much like a prayer vigil (only about 10 minutes of prayer).

This was more of a show of support for the family and neighbors who knew Officer Worthem and his family. That's OK, because this was less than 24 hours after this happened, and healing and a sense of community are definite needs at this time.

Many people lingered after the prayer, and it seemed like neighbors were re-connecting with each other.

There will be a greater focus on the prayer aspect on Friday 28 at Ruggles school. Click the link for info. We encourage you to come out to that and to know your neighbors and listen to how the Lord wants to lead you in our community.

Update on shooting of an off-duty police officer

 

WGN was at the scene of the crime where Officer Thomas Wortham was murdered in an robbery attempt. And we know more about one of the suspects, the one who was killed by Wortham's ex-police officer father.

The dead suspect has been identified as 20-year old Brian Floyd. The wounded suspect is in critical condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Police say they are looking for two other suspects who fled in a Nissan Maxima north on the Dan Ryan Expressway. Officers later found the car abandoned miles away from the scene, but the suspects are still at large.

Memorial for Shayla Raymond

These memorials were in place at 87th & King, and 87th & Vernon, in March of 2010.

They are in memory of Shayla Raymond, who was killed by a hit and run driver on Saturday night, March 6.

We posted a blog entry on this tragedy soon afterward.

Her good friend Trishaun Coleman recently posted a comment, noting how at this writing, this crime is still unsolved.

We Need Your Help!!!

This was a comment left for a post on the board several months ago concerning the young lady killed on 87th King drive. This young lady needs some help to get closure on this event. Can any of our readers help her?

Trishaun has left a new comment on your post "15 year old girl dies in Chatham hit-and-run":

Shayla Raymond was my bestfriend( Still is).. She didnt deserve this.. She was just trying to get home.. Her birthday is coming up and we've been planning this year since we were in 4th grade.. Now what are we (me and our other two bestfriends) going to do?? We have to mourn this day because shes gone.. I dont want to sound selfish because it was her time but it just dont add up and its still no working out.. I want the truth... , Trishaun Coleman