“Is it too late to do more warm-up shows?”

Directed at his mates, Jeff Tweedy’s question captured the easygoing spirit and convivial mood on Tuesday at a sold-out Vic Theatre, where the “supergroup” Golden Smog performed its first area concert in nearly two decades.

The casual, 110-minute affair capped a remarkable year for Tweedy. The Chicago-based Wilco leader joined with fellow vocalist-guitarist mates Gary Louris (Jayhawks), Kraig Johnson (Run Westy Run and former Jayhawks) and Dan Murphy (ex-Soul Asylum), along with bassist-mandolinist Marc Perlman (Jayhawks) and drummer Steve Gorman (ex-Black Crowes). They served as a reminder of what live music can feel like when it’s played by a loose, simpatico band — and for no other reasons than having a blast with friends, honoring a few influences and expressing sincerity through well-crafted ballads.

With nothing at stake, not even new songs, Golden Smog put on the equivalent of a D.I.Y.-style basement show for 1,400 neighbors. The plain stage, absence of an opening act and paucity of merchandise — the group didn’t bother with T-shirts, just $10 CDs and a basic poster — underlined the low-key vibe. Ditto the members’ jovial barbs and banter.

Personal egos got checked at the door. Tweedy getting called out for his limited skills on bass (not his normal instrument) and facetiously compared to late jazz great Jaco Pastorius? Shrugged apologies for an uneven end to a song or three? Humorous asides that suggested no one took himself too seriously and that, more than anything, these guys came out because they enjoy each other’s company and the sounds they make together? All part of the fun.

Originally formed in the late ‘80s as a freewheeling side project comprised of rotating personnel moonlighting from their Minneapolis-based country-rock groups, Golden Smog evolved from a covers band into a going entity by the mid-’90s.

Jeff Tweedy, left, and Kraig Johnson, right, of Golden Smog, perform at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on Dec. 9, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

With Tweedy joining the mix and participants using aliases, the ensemble released a 1995 debut (“Down by the Mainstream”) stocked with original material. A well-received sophomore record followed three years later, with the members’ pseudonyms replaced by their actual names. Golden Smog then faded from the scene with the same informality with which it appeared.

Save for a creative spurt in the mid-2000s marked by additional lineup shifts and two albums (including its most recent, the EP-length “Blood on the Slacks”), the collective took a back seat to its principals’ main endeavors. A one-off gig in 2019 started a brief trend where the group booked an annual concert in its Minnesota hometown. Whether its three-date “tour” that concluded Tuesday leads to further activity remains to be seen.

At a minimum, it should prompt a longer trek. Even if Louris’ crack about not rehearsing held a kernel of truth, the sextet’s organic chemistry and shared Americana language transcended the minor hiccups and handful of tossed-off songs. Besides, the lack of polish served Golden Smog’s aesthetic. Rather than demanding perfection or smoothness, songs relished scuffed-up arrangements and acoustic-electric structures built on raw emotions, casual attitudes and crunchy tones.

Rollicking selections such as “V” and the distortion-laden “Walk Where He Walked” crackled with crisp energy and engaged with static hooks. Rough-and-ready interpretations of the Faces’ “Glad and Sorry” and Brian Wilson’s “Love and Mercy” laid bare Golden Smog’s down-to-earth Midwestern origins. Anchored by Johnson, a jagged rendition of Neil Young’s “Revolution Blues” witnessed the group harnessing a rare mean streak, with the vocal phrasing and overdriven amplification surging with call-to-arms urgency and threatening menace.

Gary Louris, center, of Golden Smog, performs at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on Dec. 9, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

By and large, Golden Smog opted for cozy approaches even when turning melancholy. A wobbly read of Bobby Patterson’s cautionary “She Don’t Have to See You (To See Through You)” filtered R&B through a weary, sorrowful lens. The achy “All the Same to Me” slow-danced to a fractured melody and Tweedy’s matter-of-fact delivery.

Joyous material enjoyed similar homespun treatments that left plenty of space between notes. “I Can’t Keep from Talking” bounded to elastic grooves and enthusiastic vocals. While unable to transcend its novelty status, “Pecan Pie” kicked up its proverbial heels to a pick-and-grin bluegrass arrangement. The appreciative “Until You Came Along” prompted an a capella sing-along that brought the concert to a satisfying close.

Golden Smog’s ability to swap instrumental and lead vocal roles underscored a one-for-all, all-for-one mentality. With Gorman and Perlman providing steady rhythmic foundations, Louris and the perpetually grinning Tweedy filled in gaps with twangy fills and wiry solos. Key bricks in the wall of strummed guitars, Johnson and Murphy adapted their techniques to fit each song’s needs.

Listeners of a certain vintage doubtlessly recognized strong hints of early Wilco in the rustic albeit rambunctious “Radio King.” Louris and Tweedy sang the sympathetic “Long Time Ago” at the top end of their ranges. Their mystical rise-and-fall patterns on “Listen Joe” alternated between light and dark. And the clip-clopping “Please Tell My Brother” resonated with touching tenderness and timeliness. Not a holiday tune, per se. But given its lovely sentiments, wintry folksiness and bittersweet references to separation, it belongs in that canon.

Drummer Steve Gorman performs with “supergroup” Golden Smog at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on Dec. 9, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

The song’s mellow, reflective tenor and unadorned elegance also evoked the kind of fare Andrew Bird is presenting through Friday across town. Worth noting: On Monday, the Lake Bluff native launched the 15th iteration of his beloved Gezelligheid run in typically understated fashion amid the gorgeous confines of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, where it continues through Friday. It’s a delight.

And perhaps one that would welcome an additional surprise. Tweedy is presumably home for the season until he hits the road again in January. Gezelligheid traditionally involves collaboration — especially with local artists.

So, how about it, Andrew?

Bob Gendron is a freelance critic.

Setlist from the Vic Theatre on Dec. 9:
“Looking Forward to Seeing You”
“Lost Love”
“To Call My Own”
“V”
“Glad and Sorry” (Faces cover)
“All the Same to Me”
“Love and Mercy” (Brian Wilson cover)
“Ill Fated”
“Starman” (David Bowie cover)
“Walk Where He Walked”
“He’s a Dick”
“She Don’t Have to See You (To See Through You)” (Bobby Patterson cover)
“Won’t Be Coming Home”
“I Can’t Keep from Talking”
“Yesterday Cried”
“Pecan Pie”
“Strangers” (Kinks cover)
“Red Headed Stepchild”
“If I Only Had a Car”

Encore
“Radio King”
“Listen Joe”
“Long Time Ago”
“Please Tell My Brother”
“Revolution Blues” (Neil Young cover)
“Do Anything You Wanna Do” (Eddie and the Hot Rods cover)
“Until You Came Along”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/10/review-golden-smog-vic-theatre/ 

A downtown alderman aims to relaunch the Chicago teen curfew debate with what he described as a new and improved version of his previous ordinance that was vetoed by Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, told reporters Wednesday he will introduce legislation that would give Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling authority to declare an earlier teen curfew for a specific area with at least 12 hours notice.

The mayoral opponent said that’s a necessary tool after a chaotic “teen takeover” outside the Chicago Theatre last month ended with a 14-year-old boy killed and eight other teens wounded in shootings.

“We wanted to have reasonable restrictions. There were concerns about the possible abuse of the curfew tool under the previous snap curfew ordinance,” Hopkins said. “The point is to prevent these events from happening in the first place, and this new time and place curfew will absolutely accomplish that goal.”

A spokesperson for the Chicago police did not immediately comment Wednesday morning.

The mayor is likely to again resist Hopkins’ effort. Following the Chicago Theatre mayhem, Johnson told reporters that 700 additional police officers were preparing that day “for what we saw coming across the internet” and blamed social media algorithms for spreading negativity.

“What we can’t do is give people a pacifier and make them believe that they are being made whole,” Johnson said when asked about a potential return of the curfew debate. “And so no, I don’t have a high tolerance, you all, for a tepid approach towards how we drive violence down in the city of Chicago.”

In June, Johnson issued Chicago’s first mayoral veto since 2006 when he overruled Hopkins’ ordinance that passed in a 27-22 vote, short of the 34 votes needed to override the mayor’s move.

That version required police to give 30 minutes notice onsite before a curfew would be implemented. Snelling said he would not use that power, but suggested he could use the ordinance to declare preemptive curfews days in advance when police learned of planned, potentially chaotic gatherings.

Hopkins said Wednesday his amended ordinance does just that. He noted that last month’s gunfire hours after the Millennium Park tree lighting ceremony was connected to a “teen takeover” that had made the rounds on social media the previous few days.

Police reports indicated that teens from as far away as Dolton and Evanston traveled downtown for a gathering that night.

“You’re going to be met with violence interrupters. You’re going to be met with counselors from your school, and they’re going to tell you, this is not a safe thing you’re trying to organize, and we’re not going to allow it,” Hopkins said. “So it creates an incentive for them to just cancel the event or not show up. That’s the point of this whole thing.”

He added that he has consulted Snelling about the new legislation but declined to say whether the superintendent has endorsed it.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/10/chicago-teen-curfew-plan-12-hour-notice-police/ 

Intel Shares Fall After Lawsuits Claim US Chipmakers Aided Russian Weapons

Tyler Durden
Wed, 12/10/2025 – 12:05

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/intel-shares-fall-after-lawsuits-claim-us-chipmakers-aided-russian-weapons 

Por KEN MAGUIRE

La mayoría de los competidores de Bhavani Thekkada crecieron esquiando. Ella creció en una finca de café, en el sur de India.

Así que, como esquiadora de fondo, está un poco rezagada.

Thekkada ha estado recorriendo pistas europeas en las últimas semanas tratando de mantener vivo su sueño olímpico. Es poco probable que se clasifique para los Juegos de Invierno de Milán-Cortina, pero está alcanzando otros objetivos en el camino.

“Estaré realmente agradecida y feliz si incluso una persona en India se inspira en mi viaje y quiere practicar esquí, lo cual ya está sucediendo: he estado recibiendo muchos mensajes”, dijo Thekkada, de 30 años, a The Associated Press en una entrevista.

Thekkada documenta su viaje en las redes sociales y es noticia en su país. Su medalla de bronce en una carrera de cinco kilómetros en Chile en septiembre, aunque solo compitieron un puñado de atletas, fue aclamada como la primera medalla internacional de India en esquí de fondo femenino.

La carrera de 10 kilómetros de la Copa del Mundo del mes pasado en Finlandia fue un baño de realidad. En un grupo de élite, Thekkada terminó última entre 81 atletas, más de 16 minutos detrás de la ganadora, la sueca Frida Karlsson. La estrella estadounidense Jessie Diggins finalizó quinta.

“Las 80 mejores chicas que competían conmigo tenían todo un equipo con ellas. Tenían entrenadores, técnicos de cera, tenían managers”, dijo Thekkada, quien ha ganado varios títulos nacionales en India. “Yo estaba allí con unos pocos años de experiencia en esquí… un par de horas de entrenamiento con algunos entrenadores”.

Por ser una temporada de clasificación olímpica, la elegibilidad es lo suficientemente flexible como para que Thekkada pueda estar en la línea de salida. El objetivo no es vencer a las oponentes, sino cerrar la brecha de tiempo para mejorar su puntuación.

“Puede que no sea la mejor del mundo, pero realmente estoy tratando de estar allí”, dijo. “Podría estar un par de minutos detrás de los mejores atletas, pero también estoy un par de años detrás en el entrenamiento que han tenido”.

Thekkada tuvo un resultado similar en la carrera de 10 kilómetros de la Copa del Mundo del fin de semana pasado en Trondheim, Noruega, lo que deja el próximo evento en Davos, Suiza, como su última oportunidad para desbloquear un cupo olímpico para India.

En gran parte autofinanciada, Thekkada opera principalmente de manera independiente, por lo que estaba agradecida cuando varios equipos nacionales le echaron una mano en Trondheim. Los canadienses y chilenos ayudaron con el encerado y el entrenamiento, y los italianos transportaron su equipo, dijo.

Y durante la carrera, escuchó a Diggins.

“Jessie estaba allí animándome con más fuerza durante la carrera. Realmente significó mucho para mí”, dijo Thekkada en Instagram.

India toma nota

Además de la cobertura mediática en India, un miembro del Parlamento de su región de Karnataka, Tejasvi Surya, escribió en X: “Sus logros la convierten en una inspiración para la generación joven”.

Thekkada ha utilizado su creciente perfil público para instar a los líderes indios. Después de su podio en Chile, escribió en X: “Espero que al menos ahora el gobierno comience a notar (y) apoyar a los atletas de deportes de invierno”, y etiquetó al primer ministro indio Narendra Modi.

El esquiador alpino Arif Khan fue el único indio en competir en los Juegos de Beijing 2022.

Solo dos mujeres indias, Shailaja Kumar y Neha Ahuja, han competido en los Juegos de Invierno, según el sitio web de los Juegos Olímpicos.

Inspiración de Bollywood y Bjørgen

Thekkada no vio nieve hasta que tenía 20 años. Se interesó en el montañismo “después de ver algunas películas de Bollywood”, dijo. Como instructora de montañismo en el Himalaya, también aprendió esquí alpino.

Y luego vio los Juegos de Pyeongchang 2018, donde Marit Bjørgen se convirtió en la olímpica de invierno más condecorada. La gran noruega había dado a luz un par de años antes.

“Su viaje me fascinó”, dijo Thekkada. “He visto en la comunidad india que ‘las mujeres no pueden hacer eso. Una vez que tienes un bebé, una vez que tienes más de 30 años, no puedes hacer esto’. Realmente me motivó mucho”.

Después de Milán-Cortina, están los Juegos Olímpicos de los Alpes Franceses en 2030.

“Si no es este año”, dijo Thekkada, “entonces quiero esforzarme para los próximos cuatro años”.

___

Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/10/esquiadora-de-fondo-busca-poner-a-india-en-el-mapa-de-los-deportes-de-invierno/ 

A Hammond woman got 2.5 years probation Wednesday in a plea deal for leaving the scene of a crash.

Tianna Smith, 35, of Hammond, pleaded guilty in September to Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Moderate or Serious Bodily Injury.

The accident happened at 9:19 p.m. July 10, 2024 on Indianapolis Boulevard near 175th Street in Hammond.

Motorcyclist Aaron Bishop said in court he was headed home after playing basketball at the Hammond Sportsplex.

He told Hammond Police he didn’t have enough time to react when a Mitsubishi Outlander with one headlight came right at him.

He “gripped” his bike trying to hold on since he wasn’t wearing a helmet. His foot was severely injured and had to undergo surgery. He was hospitalized for three weeks.

He could walk with crutches in December 2024 and went back to work in April. He was left with anxiety and survivor’s guilt.

“It’s been a long road,” he said in court.

Smith told police at the time she swerved to miss another car, then “panicked” and took off.

Deputy Prosecutor Arturo Balcazar asked Judge Natalie Bokota to accept the plea, noting Smith would have to do community service and already sent an apology letter to Bishop.

Defense lawyer Mike Woods, like Balcazar, noted she had a minimal criminal history. She had accepted responsibility from the start, he said.

“I carry so much regret and guilt,” Smith said in court, reading from her apology letter.

“I don’t expect forgiveness,” she said. “I may not get it.”

Bokota said she appreciated “what is obviously sincere remorse.”

mcolias@post-trib.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/10/hammond-woman-gets-probation-for-leaving-crash/ 

A blizzard of bills piles up annually in Springfield, with those making it through the legislative gauntlet signed into law. Most take effect the first of the year, which is the case with a measure to help police K-9s and their handlers.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, the Police K-9 Care Program and Police K-9 Care Fund legislation add Illinois to the growing number of states addressing the care of retired police dogs. The initiative, begun by the Illinois State Police Command Officers Association, aims to provide long-term veterinary care for K-9s no longer on the leash.

Lake County lawmaker Tom Weber of the 64th District backed the legislation when it was unanimously adopted in the Illinois House this spring.

“Police dogs dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, assisting in law enforcement operations, and ensuring public safety,” the Lake Villa Republican said in a statement. State Sen. Napoleon Harris III, D-Harvey, supported the bill in the Senate.

The new law recognizes the value and long-term medical responsibility owed to the dogs following their service, sort of like medical help at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, except it’s for canine first responders.

“This bill ensures that financial hurdles don’t prevent K-9 families from giving these officers the care they deserve,” Weber noted.

Under the act, administered by the Illinois State Police, handlers will be reimbursed for up to $1,500 in veterinary costs for their retired K-9s, which usually become members of their handlers’ families when they hang up their shield. Owners of aging dogs know that the amount may not cover veterinary care for them, but it’s a start to acknowledge what these animals have done for communities.

For handlers of retired K-9s, the costs of care fall onto them, even if medical needs are the result of injuries sustained while on duty. Certainly, that doesn’t seem fair to those highly trained animals and their handlers who have served with distinction. Surprisingly, that cost wasn’t taken into consideration when the K-9 corps began in earnest in the new millennium.

But like anything that comes out of the legislative hopper in Springfield, there is a catch. Funding will be supported by sales of special K-9 memorial license plates. To ensure the funding, at least 2,000 plate applications need to be submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office by Jan. 1, 2028.

“We will be advocating for people to support these retired K-9 officers to guarantee this fund becomes a reality,” Weber pledged. “I look forward to seeing many K-9 Memorial Plates on my way to the state capitol.”

Sounds like a good Christmas gift for dog lovers across the Land of Lincoln, or those who support the work of K-9 officers. That’s because daily K-9s and their handlers are on the job following intense training before taking the field.

Their mission: Protecting residents in all sorts of situations, from finding lost individuals, to drug investigations, to tracking criminals on the run from authorities. Indeed, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has nearly a dozen police dogs, while several county communities have their own successful K-9 teams.

Lake County has one of the largest K-9 groups in Illinois. One of the Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 teams, German shepherd Danno and handler Deputy Andrew Martini, was one of seven qualifiers this fall for the annual Illinois Sheriff’s Association K9 Heroes Program.

The award for extraordinary commitment to service this year went to Xena, a six-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. The 2024 award was presented to famed Lake County K-9 Dax and his handler, Deputy John Forlenza.

The German shepherd was injured in the line of duty and died in 2024. The ISA offers a special K-9 Dax plush likeness for $30, including shipping, from the group’s website. A portion of the sales goes to the Lake County sheriff’s K-9 teams, and it too would make another fine Christmas gift for dog lovers.

While over the years Dax garnered the dog’s share of notoriety battling crime, a North Chicago Police Department K-9, who retired in 2020, also suffered duty-related injuries after seven years on the beat with handler Sgt. Donald Florance. Yaku, a German shepherd, died at age 14 in late December 2024.

During his tour of duty, Yaku was deployed 36 times to track and apprehend suspects, assisted in the seizure of 37 guns, searched for drugs and helped in the seizure of $62,478 in cash.

Like any retired warriors, our K-9s deserve nurturing in their dotage and not a financial burden on their handlers. The K-9 Care Program begins that recognition.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor. 

sellenews@gmail.com

X @sellenews

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/10/column-retired-k-9s-charles-selle/ 

Deep Discounts Tempt Indian Refiners To Seek Non-Sanctioned Russian Oil

Tyler Durden
Wed, 12/10/2025 – 11:40

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/deep-discounts-tempt-indian-refiners-seek-non-sanctioned-russian-oil 

At its Tuesday morning meeting, the Lake County Council unanimously approved a resolution asking for 911 services legislation to be added to the Indiana General Assembly’s upcoming legislative agenda.

All council members were present at Tuesday’s meeting, and the resolution passed without discussion.

“It’s been about 10 years since (911 fees) increased, and costs have gone up, and funds are needed,” Council President Christine Cid, D-5th, previously said. “We want some legislation at session, and we want to get that out as soon as possible.”

According to council documents, the county legislative body wants a $2 increase to state 911 fees and enhanced prepaid wireless telecommunication service charges to be added to the agenda.

Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-7th, previously said that he has met with State Treasurer Daniel Elliott and his team about the resolution.

“The state treasurer is in charge of statewide 911, and he requested this resolution to be able to advocate to the General Assembly on behalf of Lake County for that increased fee … because it is an act of legislation … that allows this to happen,” Niemeyer previously said. “This is an important item for us to be able to bring a little more sustainable revenue stream to the service.”

The State Treasurer’s office declined to comment on the resolution and its work with Niemeyer.

An interlocal agreement consolidated emergency 911 services for Lake County, according to Post-Tribune archives. The services consolidated in January 2015, but dispatchers weren’t brought together until October 2015.

The state currently has a $1 911 service wireless charge, according to the resolution, and the state 911 board can only increase the fee once between April 30, 2023, and July 1, 2026, and the increase cannot exceed $0.10. Funds are distributed to county treasurers and help with property development, operation and maintenance of Indiana’s emergency system.

“911 services have grown both in geographic scope and in the level of service provided,” according to council documents. “The revenue used to fund 911 services almost entirely of fees and surcharges on wireline, wireless, Voice-over-Internet-Protocol telephone lines. These fees and surcharges generate billions of dollars each year, but 911 service revenues still fall short of estimated annual costs.”

The Indiana General Assembly started its 2026 session earlier this month to discuss redistricting and immigration measures, but it will likely gavel out on Friday then return for the rest of its 2026 session in January. Some bills are already proposed, according to its website, but the 911 legislation is not yet included.

mwilkins@chicagotribune.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/10/lake-county-council-passes-resolution-urging-911-fee-increase/ 

The following items were taken from police and court reports and news releases. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

Burbank

CHILD EXPLOITATION: Angelo A. Ruiz, 34, 7800 block of Moody Avenue, Burbank, was charged Nov. 16 with sexual exploitation of a child based on an investigation that began Oct. 6 into allegations he showed still and video nude images to children younger than 17 in December 2024 and January 2025, police said.

UNLICENSED CRASH: Portia S. Bailey, 32, 14500 block of Vail Avenue, Dixmoor, is scheduled to appear in Cook County court at Bridgeview Jan. 26, charged with driving without a license in connection with a Nov. 24 three-vehicle crash near 79th Street and Leclaire Avenue that injured two people, sent one vehicle into a home and sent a second vehicle into another home’s front steps, police said.

Evergreen Park

GUN POSSESSION: Jeronte D. Lett, 31, Monroeville, Alabama, was arrested and accused of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and Joseph E. Cabrera, 33, Redding, California, was arrested and accused of unlawful use of ammunition after officers recovered a .40-caliber handgun with an attached loaded extended magazine and a box of .38-caliber ammunition and determined neither had a state-required gun permit during a Nov. 27 stop at 95th Street and Utica Avenues, police said.

Ford Heights

GUN POSSESSION: Trenton Hughes, 18, 1000 block of 133rd Street, Riverdale, is scheduled to appear in Cook County court at Markham Dec. 12, charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, according to Cook County sheriff’s police. Hughes was arrested after a loaded 10 mm pistol with a loaded inserted 50-round drum style magazine fell from his jacket during a Dec. 1 investigation of individuals in a vehicle pointing guns at people in the 800 block of Lincoln Highway, sheriff’s police said. Deputies determined other weapons in the vehicle were replicas, police said.

Homer Glen

AGGRAVATED BATTERY: Matthew M. Keane, 37, 13500 block of Tara Drive, Homer Glen, is scheduled to appear in Will County court Dec. 15, charged with aggravated battery/victim 60 or older, aggravated unlawful restraint, domestic battery, interfering with a domestic-violence report and criminal damage to property, according to court records online. Keane was arrested Nov. 27, police said.

Homewood

AGGRAVATED FLEEING: Kyle Johnson, 23, Morris, was arrested Oct. 30 and accused of aggravated fleeing/eluding a police officer, drunken driving, illegally transporting alcohol and failing to produce proof of insurance during a stop at Ridge Road and Martin Avenue, police said.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: Robert Graham, 43, 1200 block of 190th Street, Homewood, was arrested Nov. 1 in the 1200 block of 190th Street and accused of aggravated assault after pointing a pocketknife at another person in a threatening manner during a dispute, police said.

Lansing

GUN POSSESSION: Javaun A. Jackson, 19, 300 block of Waterford Lane, Beecher, was arrested Oct. 26 at a gas station in the 18000 block of Torrence Avenue and subsequently charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of fraudulent identification after officers recovered a loaded 9 mm handgun equipped with a loaded magazine and retrieved a modified driver’s license belonging to another person, police said.

New Lenox

BURGLARY: Quinton D. Harris, 30, 1700 block of Houston Avenue, Joliet, was charged Nov. 26 with burglary in connection with the Nov. 5 theft from an unlocked vehicle in the 200 block of East Haven Avenue of credit cards he used to make two $205.95 purchases at stores in Joliet, police said.

NO BOMB: A person in distress called in a 4:30 p.m. Dec. 8 false bomb threat at Silver Cross Hospital, police said. There was no evidence of an actual device or real threat, police said.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: Gordon P. Kessel, 62, 100 block of Hawthorne Lane, New Lenox, is scheduled to appear in Will County court Dec. 15, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according court records online. Kessel threatened to harm another individual on Nov. 21 while brandishing a large hunting knife, police said.

Oak Lawn

GUN POSSESSION: Kameron C. McDowell, 22, 000 block of Central Park Avenue, Hazel Crest, was arrested Nov. 19 and subsequently charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after officers recovered a loaded 9 mm pistol from him during a stop in the 4700 block of Southwest Highway, police said.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: Jesus T. Vaca, 35, Chicago, is scheduled to appear in Cook County court at Bridgeview Feb. 6, charged with aggravated assault, police said. Vaca was arrested Nov. 30 in the 4000 block of 95th Street after threatening and spitting on staff at a restaurant while implying he was armed, police said.

Orland Park

IDENTITY THEFT: Samuel T. Thomas Jr., 26, 2200 block of Hutchinson Road, Flossmoor, was arrested during a Nov. 5 traffic stop in the 16700 block of LaGrange Road and subsequently charged with identity theft and possession of fraudulent identification after officers recovered another man’s driver’s license altered to contain Thomas’ photo and information, as well as the other man’s credit card, police said.

DUI CRASH: Christopher M. Panfil, 25, 8400 block of Wheeler Drive, Orland Park, was arrested and accused of drunken driving, speeding, failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision and failing to provide proof of insurance during a Nov. 14 two-vehicle crash investigation at 183rd Street and Wolf Road, police said.

Park Forest

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: Pierre L. Brooks, 34, 100 block of Hemlock Street, Park Forest, was arrested Nov. 8 and subsequently charged with aggravated assault and domestic battery after fighting with another person and having a loaded 9 mm handgun, police said.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY: A resident of the 100 block of Sycamore Drive reported Nov. 9 the apartment’s deadbolt lock had been forcibly removed and two flat-screen TVs and two personal computers were missing.

South Chicago Heights

SHOOTING: No one was seriously injured when occupants of a vehicle fired 30 to 40 shots in the 3200 block of Bramanti Trail, southwest of the intersection of Sauk Trail and State Street, police said, terming the 7:15 p.m. Dec. 8 shooting an isolated incident.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/10/southland-crime-identify-theft-bomb-threat/