CLTV Local News

Barack and the Butt

2009-07-11T02:34:27Z

What's your take on the picture of the President at the G8 Summit? It's being circulated on the internet in incriminating fashion- and while video shows Obama about to extend his hand to the lady behind him, French President Nicholas Sarkozy's smile seems to suggest he's seeing the sights, too. What do you think Obama is up to?

If 'You' Could Decide The Punishment For The Burr Oak Cemetery Grave Robbers....

2009-07-10T22:40:58Z

WHAT WOULD THAT PUNISHMENT BE? Hundreds of graves have been desecrated, dating back at least four years and possibly.. decades. The Cemetery in south suburban Alsip has turned into the site of a ghoulish nightmare for many. Officials now acknowlege coming across complaints about Burr Oak that date back *years. The Reverend Jackson also expressed concern about three cemetery workers killed there in the 1970's, about whose deaths little is known. The fear: perhaps they uncovered past abuses and were silenced for it? The investigation continues Officials say cemetery records have been altered; some destroyed. Meantime, efforts were underway Friday to get a temporary restraining order to stop further burials at Burr Oak, because the burial problems are continuing there. Also, separately, state officials are working to pull the cemetery's licenses and ultimately force out the owners. And yes, lawsuits are beginning to be filed. A class action suit is also in the works for the many families affected. But again, if YOU were the presiding judge over the four former cemetery workers so far charged in the case... --What would YOU sentence them with?

Stump Tim & Tonya: One Armed Jesus

2009-07-10T14:50:34Z

Today's picture comes from Alex S. He says it's the one armed Jesus on 95th street in South Chicago Still trying to get more info. Check back later. If you want to try to stump us, just send your photo to cltvdesk@tribune.com. You PLEASE put "Stump Tim & Tonya" in the subject line. Make sure to include your name, where you're from and as much information as possible about the photo. Then watch CLTV to see if we use your photo.

Video coverage: Burr Oak Cemetery scandal

2009-07-10T14:46:23Z

The Breaking News Center reports: “Authorities today sharply increased the estimate of the number of bodies disinterred at Burr Oak Cemetery in southwest suburban Alsip in a scheme to illegally resell grave sites. Two hundred to 300 bodies were dug up and dumped into an isolated, weedy area of the cemetery, where many prominent African-Americans are buried, including Emmett Till. Former cemetery manager Carolyn Towns, 49, foreman Keith Nicks, 45, and dump-truck operator Terrence Nicks, 39, all of Chicago, and back-hoe operator Maurice Dailey, 59, of Robbins, were each charged with one count of dismembering a human body, a Class X felony. They all face up to 30 years in prison.” If you have any questions or concerns regarding the disinterred bodies at Burr Oak Cemetery, please call the Cook County Sheriff at: 1-800-942-1950 or on the additional hotline: 708-865-6070 or at burroakscemeteryinvestigation@gmail.com.

History Making California Teen 'Wings' Into Chicagoland

2009-07-09T21:29:59Z

You look at her really cute self and realize she could easily be a Teen Miss America. But, such a goal might perhaps seem frivolous to this Los Angeles girl who's already accomplished one sky-high goal and is not yet done soaring! Kimberly's 16 year old sister is also in the flying program** and has set her own aviation records. **TAM - Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum - provides scholarships and after school programs for LA-area kids in need, who then in turn do some community service work. TAM's based out of the airport in Compton, California.

Band vs. United on YouTube

2009-07-09T16:00:38Z

Canadian musician Dave Carroll could have sung the blues after United Airlines workers at O'Hare smashed his guitar and the carrier refused to pick up the $1,200 cost to repair it. Instead, he turned the experience into a witty ditty, "United Breaks Guitars," and scored an instant hit on YouTube.com, his first in a 16-year career. Posted on Monday, the video had been viewed 137,896 times as of mid-day Wednesday. Read more

Stump Tim & Tonya: Great Lakes Naval Station

2009-07-09T15:24:10Z

Today's picture comes from Tim McGill. That is “Building 1” at Naval Station Great Lakes located in the town of Great Lakes (near North Chicago). If you want to try to stump us, just send your photo to cltvdesk@tribune.com. You PLEASE put "Stump Tim & Tonya" in the subject line. Make sure to include your name, where you're from and as much information as possible about the photo. Then watch CLTV to see if we use your photo.

Wanna Buy a Post Office?

2009-07-08T21:47:13Z

The old Chicago post office is going on the auction block August 27th. It was built in 1921 and has been vacant since 1995. The postal service no longer wants to pay the two million dollars it cost to maintain the empty 3 million square foot facility every year. The lobby is still stunning, but the other eight floors-- talk about a fixer upper! Batman fans may remember the building in "The Dark Knight". It served as Gotham National Bank and the Gotham police station. I met a guy named George Kopes who knows EVERYTHING about the old post office. He's the building manager and told me stories from the Batman set. Kopes says his job was to be Christian Bale's "refrigerator man"-- the guy who had to cool Bale down when he got too hot in the Batsuit. Kopes also told me Heath Ledger was an absolute joy to work with everyday. The auction is at the InterContinental Hotel in Rosemont. The suggested opening bid is 300-thousand dollars. Potential buyers can go on a tour July 20th and 29th. August dates are the 6th, 12th, and 20th.

Remembering Michael: Next Stop Gary

2009-07-08T20:56:20Z

With the big LA event now history, Michael Jackson's next memorial is slated for Friday night in his hometown of Gary, Indiana (6pm, at the downtown ballpark). If you can't make it, a Chicago-based tour bus company is getting ready to offer a tour down Jackson Memory Lane in Gary. Jackson Family Gary House The reportedly included stops: the Jackson house, the steel mill where his dad worked, the grocery store where the family shopped and the former nightclub where a very young Michael made his professional debut in 1966. (cost: 55 bucks) Jackson 5

Stump Tim & Tonya: Navy Pier

2009-07-08T14:50:33Z

Today's picture comes from Kenneth James. It's Navy Pier. According to the web site A View on Cities:

Navy Pier is a large pier on Lake michigan near Streeterville, close to Chicago's downtown. Originally known as the Municipal Pier nr 2, it is one of two piers called for in Daniel Burnham's 1909 Chicago plan. The other pier was never built. Construction started May 1914 and in 1916 it was opened to the public. At the time it was the world's largest pier, 292 ft wide and 3000ft long. The pier was designed as a shipping and entertainment area. In its first decade, the Municipal Pier was successfully attracting both visitors and ships. It was also temporarily used as a military facility during the first world war. By the end of the 1920s, the Navy Pier's success started to decline. The introduction of cars and the opening of movie theaters created more competition for the Pier. Shipping started to decline in the 1930s due to the depression and the competition of transportation by trucks. In 1927 the pier was renamed Navy Pier in honor of World War I veterans. It would turn out to be a prophetic name change, as the Navy Pier served as a naval training facility during the second World War. After the war it served as the Chicago branch of the University of Illinois. In 1965 the university moved to its new location and the Navy Pier started to decay. The first step in the redevelopment of the Navy Pier was the 1976 restoration by Jerome R. Butler, Jr. of the Auditorium building at the eastern end of the pier. One year later it was designated a Chicago Landmark. Another step to the redevelopment of the Navy Pier was taken in 1989, when the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois installed the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition authority. At the same time they committed 150 million dollar for reconstruction of the pier as a recreational center. The renovation by Benjamin Thompson & associates started in 1992 and was completed in 1994. The result is a very successful recreational center next to Chicago's downtown area. With many attractions and 50 acres of parks and gardens It attracts more than 8 million visitors each year.

If you want to try to stump us, just send your photo to cltvdesk@tribune.com. You PLEASE put "Stump Tim & Tonya" in the subject line. Make sure to include your name, where you're from and as much information as possible about the photo. Then watch CLTV to see if we use your photo.

CLTV SPORTS :60: Put It On The Board, YES!

2009-07-08T03:15:30Z

KONERKO BANGS OUT 3, DRIVES IN 7 IN SOX WIN By JERRY RILES A solo shot, a 2-run jack, and a grand salami. It was Paul Konerko night at the Cell on Tuesday as the White Sox first baseman drove in seven runs to help lead the Southsiders to a 10-6 victory over the visiting Cleveland Indians. His first career three homer game. P.K. simply single-handedly KO-ed the Tribe with the hot bat after the Sox trailed early in the contest. Bing-bang-boom, or Badda-bing-badda-bang. Whatever the case, Paulie connected not once, not twice, but three times. What a way to begin closing out the first half of the season. Konerko in his post game comments on Comcast Sports said if the Sox continue to hit this way or better the rest of the season they can win it. At this rate I think they can win it all if the Pinstripe Pounders can continue to drive the white rat deep. Is Paulie right? Can the Sox clinch the division and go for another World Series title? Is GM Ken Williams done wheeling and dealing? Who should join Buehrle in the classic? Earlier Tuesday the Sox dealt a minor leaguer to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Tony Pena. Pena is expected to bolster the bullpen and help in setting the stage for closer Bobby Jenks. And that's perfectly fine with manager Ozzie Guillen. Konerko said he felt good and made good decisions during his at bats. It's unfortunate, that the veteran is not going to the All-Star game after this performance. Winning pitcher Mark Beuhrle is the only Sox representative playing in the Mid-season Classic. Right-fielder Jermaine Dye didn't even make it and his bat has been scorching. One of the last Sox sluggers to jack out three homers in a game was first base coach Harold Baines back in 1982 against the Detroit Tigers. Baines collected six-RBIs on the day. Jose Valentin did it back in July of 2003. Don't look now Sox fans, but I think this is only the beginning. If you think there were fireworks after this incredible night for Konerko, you may want to just wait and see what happens in the second half. Let's Go Sox! Oh, by the way, Buehrle improved to 9-2 thanks to his buddy Paulie. Now that's what you call a team. (Jerry Riles is a weekly 5on5 contributor featured every Tuesday in the RedEye)

Are You Willing to Donate for Jackson Memorial?

2009-07-08T02:34:23Z

The city of Los Angeles has set up a website asking Michael Jackson's fans to donate to help pay for his memorial service. A spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa estimates the service will cost the city between $1.5 million dollars and $4 million dollars. Some city officials say Los Angeles is already facing a massive budget deficit, and cannot afford to foot the bill. The website launched Tuesday morning, and links viewers up to a Paypal account where you can help defray the memorial costs with credit card contributions. Do you think it is appropriate for Los Angeles to ask for donations to pay for the thousands of police officers and workers enlisted to provide security for the memorial? Here's a link to the website: http://mayor.lacity.org/PressRoom/PressReleases/LACITYP_005598

Michael Jackson Memorial Brings Out Hundreds In Chicago

2009-07-07T22:02:34Z

Hundreds lined up early Tuesday morning outside the Harold Washington Cultural Center on the South Side. They wore t-shirts with his face on it and brought signs, as they waited to get inside to watch the public memorial service in Los Angeles. They said things like, "The message is love. It's all about love." Fans also said, "When it's all said and done, Michael will be the best performer the world will ever see." What are your favorite memories of Jackson? What song will make you immediately think of the King of Pop? Some say the service could be the most watched event in history. There were similar scenes all across the world, fans gathering in front of televisions and radios. They say they just wanted to be together on this day. Do you think the coverage is too much? Are you one of the millions looking for all the coverage you can find? I may be one of the younger fans in the world, but I have never seen anything like this. And I don't know if I ever will again.

Video Coverage: Michael Jackson Memorial

2009-07-07T19:59:03Z

Family, friends and fans gathered at the Staples Center in LA on Tuesday to say a final goodbye to Michael Jackson. For more on the memorial service and the life and legend of The King of Pop, log on to cltv.com's Michael Jackson page .

Jackson Memorial: Too Much, Or Just Right?

2009-07-07T19:08:22Z

A list of top entertainers past and present took the stage in Los Angeles today to pay tribute to the King of Pop. Michael Jackson's golden coffen draped with crimson flowers also there, in front of an audience of thousands, Jackson fans, friends and family, there for this final public good bye. Some have criticized it as too big of a spectacle, too celebratory, like a big concert. A rabbi, who was once a spiritual advisor to Jackson, expessed outrage that the event didn't focus enough on Michael himself, a man who leaves behind three children. Did you watch any of it? What was your reaction?