3 Brookfield Zoo dolphins expecting

Chicago Zoological Society officials say three Brookfield Zoo bottlenose dolphins are pregnant. Officials say Allie, 26, Tapeko, 31, and Spree, 10, are due to give birth this summer and fall.

Alleged purse snatcher crashed into semi on I-80

Police say a Joliet man mugged two elderly women in different grocery stores before crashing a stolen car into a semi-truck on Saturday. Joliet Cmdr. Al Roechner said Matthew J. Boban’s crime spree began at 11:55 a.m. when he arrived at Jewel, 1401 W. Jefferson …

Alderman: Man wanted in Beverly shooting caught in Arkansas

A Matteson man wanted in connection with a shooting Wednesday in Chicago’s Beverly community was arrested over the weekend in Arkansas, according to a news release from Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th).

David Twine, 31, was charged with aggravated battery and was being held Monday in …

Search and rescue continues after devastating Moore tornado leaves at least 24 dead

MOORE, Okla. — A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 20 children were among 51 killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise. Hospitals were treating more than 120 patients, including about 50 children. The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office said there could be as many as 40 more fatalities from the tornado.

Cops: Alleged purse snatcher crashed into truck

Police say a Joliet man mugged two elderly women in different grocery stores before crashing a stolen car into a semi-truck on Saturday. Joliet Cmdr. Al Roechner said Matthew J. Boban’s crime spree began at 11:55 a.m. when he arrived at Jewel, 1401 W. Jefferson …

‘Pollen tsunami’ makes allergy season even worse

In what’s being called a “pollen tsunami,” this allergy season is now expected to be even rougher than last year for allergy sufferers, Chicago’s longtime allergen measurer said Monday.

Tinley Park man jailed on charges he stole ex-wife’s car

WASHINGTON, Pa. — A Tinley Park man has been jailed on charges that he threatened to kill his ex-wife and stole her car as she was driving him to Pittsburgh International Airport after visiting their son. Jason Sargent, 39, was arrested after the incident that …

Not so foreign a feeling: Exchange student in Orland shares experiences

When she arrived in Orland Park last August, French foreign exchange student Vanille LeTilly spoke nary a word of English.

Debra Baker, with the Orland Park Rotary Club, which is sponsoring LeTilly, had to rely on a translation app on her phone to welcome the …

Tinley students fired up about their artwork

It started as a simple assignment in photography class. So never in their wildest dreams did Tinley Park High School students Alexandra Schmeckpeper and Michelle Patino think their artwork would end up emblazoned on the door of a new Tinley Park Fire Department fire truck. …

‘He truly cared about people’

Del Yunker was more than Mokena’s first fire chief. Those who knew him well said he was an “iconic” figure in town, an excellent leader and mentor, a man of integrity with a heart of gold, and also the “sausage guy” at the pancake breakfast. …

New Lenox mayor welcomes back three trustees

NEW LENOX — New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann welcomed back three trustees Monday. He swore in trustees Annette Bowden, Ray Tuminello and David Smith.

“I am thrilled that these three people were re-elected to this board,” Baldermann said.

He praised them and the other members …

Former Andrew factory, HQ to be razed

Andrew Corp.’s former headquarters and wireless communications equipment factory in Orland Park, vacant since 2007, will be demolished, according to Andrew’s parent company. CommScope plans to start demolition work at the end of this month, and razing the 600,000-square-foot complex, 10500 W. 153rd St., could …

Police: Suspect used sweet talk to fleece lonely women, business ‘customers’

At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, David Ray Wooten has been dubbed “Lothario the Large.” In past decades, Wooten, 63, was a pro at seducing lonely elderly women out of their savings and valuables, but he recently ran a phony business in Park Ridge — bilking …

Answering the call to priesthood

Saturday was a glorious spring day, inside and out. While plants bloomed back to life in yards surrounding St. Ray’s Cathedral in Joliet, inside its stained glass windows five men entered a new life as Catholic priests. The five who traveled different paths to reach …

Homewood votes to restrict gun sales, denies hair salon bid

The Homewood village board addressed firearm sales following the swearing in of returning Mayor Rich Hofeld and four returning trustees: Barbara Dawkins, Anne Colton, Ray Robertson, and Jay Heiferman. Village officials approved a plan that will require gun retailers to prepare a security plan for …