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Ghosts and Glögg: The mystery of Simon's Tavern in Chicago

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

CHICAGO — This Halloween, we’re revisiting a spooky chapter of Chicago folklore. It involves, a man, a mural, and a murder mystery — but that’s only where this ‘ghost story’ begins.In Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, the flag of Sweden wraps a rooftop water tank, across Clark Street, at Simon’s Tavern, the spiced wine of Sweden stirs in its own kind of tank.  “The basis of all glöggs is port wine,” said Scott Martin, the longtime owner of Simon’s. “In port wine, you cook raisins, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom seed, orange peels, almond, and a little bit of sugar. In the morning, brandy’s added – at least to our recipe here.”Owner Scott MartinMartin, 63, is bottling the brew for the holidays. It’s Simon’s signature blend of wine and spirits, but it’s an altogether different kind of spirit that is said to have haunted this bar.“I absolutely believe in ghosts,” customer Jack Moore said. “This place is haunted.”Simon’s dates back nearly 90 years, opening in 1934.“The story...

85-year-old woman killed in Palatine crash identified

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

PALATINE, Ill — A woman is dead after a crash that ended in front of a home in the northwest suburbs on Monday afternoon, according to police.Officers say the deadly crash happened near the intersection of South Quentin Road and West Hillside Street just before 3 p.m. in Palatine. City to use shuttered Kmart as migrant shelter after reversing course According to police, 85-year-old Rina Casiello was killed after striking multiple objects after her vehicle was hit by another car while she was traveling northbound along South Quentin Road.Police say the woman was driving in a white Lexus ES350 when her vehicle was hit by another car traveling in the same direction.According to officers, after her car was hit, she traveled into the southbound lanes before veering off the road and into the parkway where her vehicle then struck several fixed objects, including a utility pole and the front steps of a nearby home. CPS student shot and killed near South Side high school Officers say Cas...

First female City Manager in Joliet's history selected

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. — Joliet has a new City Manager and her selection is making history.Terry D’Arcy, the Mayor of Joliet, announced Tuesday that Beth Beatty has been selected as Joliet's new City Manager. According to the mayor, Beatty is the first woman to serve in the role in the city's history. Man charged in North Lawndale shooting that wounded 15 D’Arcy made the historic announcement in a news release on Monday afternoon. “Ms. Beatty's qualifications include a law degree and extensive experience in municipal government,” D’Arcy said in the release. “She served as a policy analyst, Deputy Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Finance, and most recently as the Deputy Mayor of Intergovernmental Affairs in the City of Chicago."According to D’Arcy, the new city manager comes into the role with nearly 20 years of experience, having worked with former Chicago mayors and members of the Chicago City Council. Beatty also spent time as a law clerk for the Illinois Supreme Court’s Third Judici...

Konrad in a Van: Halloween Edition — with very special guests!

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

It's Halloween and we got the ol van out!Konrad in a Van had some extra special, extra festive guests on this spooky day. Larry, Pat and Robin joined Paul as they dressed up and let's face it, terrified the neighborhood.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Inaugural Southwest Job Fair set for January

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

ORLAND PARK, Ill. — A joint effort in the southwest suburbs aims to assist regional job seekers in their quest for employment. On Jan. 11, 2024, the inaugural Southwest Job Fair will commence in Orland Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Set to be held at the Orland Park Civic Center, the three-hour career fair aims to connect jobseekers to local opportunities in healthcare, technology, retail, hospitality and more. “The event is a collaborative effort aimed at bridging the gap between job seekers and employers, fostering economic growth and opportunities within the Southwest suburban region,” said Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. ‘Skip the Line’ service issues draw ire of Illinois seniors: ‘Very frustrating’ Military veterans and job seekers of all experience levels and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Other incentives include:The first 100 job seekers will receive a $10 e-gift card All attendees will be entered into a drawing for 20 $20 gas cards, 30 backpacks, and four laptops Profe...

2 killed, 4 injured in crash along Lake Shore Drive

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Police say two people were killed and four others were injured in a crash along Lake Shore Drive on Monday evening.According to police, the two-vehicle crash happened just before 8:50 p.m. in the 3000 block of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive.Officers say a man was driving southbound along Lake Shore Drive in a Nissan sedan, with three women sitting as passengers, when his vehicle was hit by a Chevy sedan, with one passenger inside, as the driver was changing lanes. Driver killed after crashing into utility pole, home in Palatine Police say the crash caused the driver of the Nissan to strike a tree along the side of the road. According to police, the driver and a female passenger were both pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. Two other women in the vehicle, both 21-years-old, were hospitalized with critical injuries.The two other individuals involved in the crash, a man and a woman who were in the Chevy sedan, were both hospitalized in fair condition.Police h...

Hammond man arrested after woman, 16-year-old shot dead in Matteson

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

MATTESON, Ill. — A 34-year-old Hammond man is charged in connection with the deadly shooting of two people from Chicago in south suburban Matteson.Kephren Ferguson is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder following the events of Oct. 26. Just before 10:30 p.m., officers responded to a shots fired call in the 4100 block of Lindenwood Drive. 2 arrested following armed robbery of mail carrier in Harvey Arriving officers found a 20-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy with gunshot wounds to the head. The 16-year-old boy also suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.Both were rushed to St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, where they were pronounced dead.Detectives conclude the shooting was the result of a fight between two female roommates, one of whom was Ferguson's alleged girlfriend. The victims are the 20-year-old sister and 16-year-old brother of the other female roommate.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Ferguson was taken into cu...

TBS will air 'Best of Chandler' marathon to honor late 'Friends' star Matthew Perry

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

(WJW) — In honor of the death of actor Matthew Perry over the weekend, TBS has announced plans to play Chandler-centric "Friends" episodes back to back. Chandler Bing, who Perry played for all 10 seasons of the show's run from 1994 to 2004, was known as the funny one. The beloved character would deliver lines like, "I say more dumb things before 9 a.m. than most people say all day." ‘We’re all so shocked’: Local radio DJ killed in head-on crash The "Friends" marathon honoring Perry will begin Wednesday, Nov. 1 and run through Sunday, Nov. 5, with varying times and themes, Variety reported.On Wednesday, TBS will air "Best of Chandler" episodes for 12 hours, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Then, on Thursday, the marathon will cover Chandler and Joey's friendship, with episodes airing for six hours, starting at 5:30 a.m. ET.Friday's episodes will show off the Chandler and Monica's relationship, starting at 9 a.m. ET and running for two hours. The weekend will feature encore episo...

This Illinois mansion dubbed among 'creepiest places' in US

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

ALTON, Ill. - If you're craving a spooky experience this Halloween, look no further than Alton, Illinois. The Metro East city not only carries a rich history as one of America's most haunted towns, but one of its biggest tourist draws also ranks among the "creepiest places" in the United States. McPike Mansion, a three-story brick building situated on one of the highest point's of Alton, takes the title as the "creepiest place" of Illinois, per HGTV's new report via CNN. Built in the late 19th century, McPike Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s. It was once the home of Alton mayor Henry Guest McPike. ‘Got a joke?’ Why St. Louis trick-or-treaters might be asked this on Halloween According to tourism bureau Enjoy Illinois, thousands of visitors and paranormal investigators have visited the mansion throughout the years, attesting to its eerie presence and wandering spirits. HGTV offers the following insight on McPike Mansion: "McPike Mansion&nb...

Wally the emotional support alligator attends Philadelphia Flyers game after Phillies snub

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:31:00 GMT

(WHTM) - On Tuesday night, Wally the emotional support alligator was allowed into the Wells Fargo Center for a Philadelphia Flyers game.Photos of Wally at the Wells Fargo Center appeared across social media as the Flyers hosted the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night. Local celebrity emotional support alligator goes viral for Phillies denial The Flyers mascot, Gritty, a social media star of his own, posed with Wally and shared pictures on X. Additional photos were shared by his person, Joseph Henney.Wally was supposed to attend a Philadelphia Phillies game and meet the players earlier this year, but an accident caused them to miss the meet and greet. Because Wally is an emotional support gator and not a service animal, he wasn't allowed into the Phillies game.Wally lives in Lebanon County with his person, Joseph, and has become a global celebrity in recent years. He's believed to be the world’s only emotional support alligator, was a finalist in the America’s Favorite Pe...