The blast was felt up to a half mile away.Five people were hospitalized at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, while three were treated at the sceneon the 1900 block of Grand Avenue.All but one was expected to be released Thursday evening from the hospital.“I’d say people were fortunate,” Waukegan Fire Chief Patrick Gallagher said. […]

By LOU GAULThe following capsule reviews, listed alphabetically, will give you an idea of the caliber of films unreeling locally. Please refer to the movie schedule for theaters and show times.The films are graded as follows: Very Good, (A); Good, (B); Fair, (C); Poor, (D); Turkey (F). Those with (NP) have not been previewed. (To […]

An Irishman who has been blind for two years has regained his sight after having an eye operation called Osteo Odonto Keratoprosthesis. Bob McNichol lost his sight after an explosion of red hot liquid aluminum at a re-cycling plant in 2005.“I thought I was going to be blind for the rest of my life,” said […]

Albany Regional Museum, 136 Lyon St. S. The museum preserves and exhibits the Albany area’s historical artifacts and archives. Hours: noon-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Tours by appointment. Information: 967-7122, www.armuseum.com.Boccherini’s, 208 First Ave. S.W. Through March: Panoramic photographs of the high desert areas of Oregon by Kurt Norlin.Dentzel American Carousel Artists Studio and Museum, First Avenue […]

The carnage in retail hasn’t been this bad since an anarchist bombed Chicago’s Haymarket Square in 1886. In January, Liz Claiborne said it would shutter 54 Sigrid Olsen stores by mid-2008; Ann Taylor announced that 117 of its 921 stores would be closed over the next three years, and Talbots axed the Talbots Men’s and […]

Nearly a year after the Naperville Park District’s last executive director left the post, commissioners have found a successor.Next month the district will welcome Daniel Betts, who is currently deputy manager of recreation and facility services for the city of Denver. Park officials will make a formal announcement on Bett’s hiring at Thursday’s board meeting.“Plans […]

We just got word that world-renowned car customizer, Boyd Coddington died this morning around 6 am. Although we don’t have any details on what caused Coddington’s death, we do know that he was in and out of the hospital over the past month. A spokesperson for the Coddington Corporation confirmed his passing earlier today and […]

DANVILLE — If a team is going to win a conference title outright, the may as well do it with an exclamation point. That is precisely what the Utica High School boys basketball did in a 78-33 defeat of the Danville Blue Devils on Friday evening. The Redskins were able to take advantage of balanced […]

Marin Independent JournalRedwood High’s Drew Kells put to rest any ideas that his MCAL winning streak might be in jeopardy Tuesday. The Giants made quite a statement of their own, too.Kells dispatched Drake’s Sky Lovill 6-1, 6-3 in a matchup of two of the county’s top junior players and the Giants rolled to an 8-1 […]

As a registered Republican since 1986, I’m proud of my party’s history and tradition of promoting individual liberty and a belief in empowering states and local communities. I’m also proud that my party supports the hard work and compassion of U.S. families whose job it is to raise the next generation.Those values strengthen every individual, […]