5 indicted in airfield probe
An Afghanistan airfield where contractors defrauded the U.S. government in a jet fuel scam is again under scrutiny -- this time by a federal grand jury in Chicago, the Sun-Times has learned.

Gas prices could fall to near $3 by end of year
Gasoline prices, which have declined steadily for more than a month in Chicago and nationally are expected to continue dropping this Labor Day weekend, and could fall to near $3 a gallon before the end of the year, unless Hurricane Gustav decides to rain on the consumer party.

Dad forgives son for wife's murder
His son brutally killed his wife, but David Newcomer said today he has forgiven him. And Newcomer said he believes his slain wife, Marilyn, would understand his attitude towards their son, 27-year-old Cliff Newcomer. “Me and his mother still love him,” David Newcomer said after his son was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2006 slaying. As part of a plea deal with DuPage County prosecutors, Cliff Newcomer received the prison term after pleading guilty but mentally ill to killing his mother.

Mauled boy learns to walk in Chicago 8-year-old girl shot, shielded niece Jabir Herbert Muhammad: dead at 79 Computer problems ground planes at Midway, O'Hare Slain cop case: Was 'getaway' car in shop? Woman struck and killed by Metra train on South Side City employee suffers heart attack, crashes at O'Hare Glendale Heights man convicted of killing neighbor Chicagoans sharing their home with world Cubs fans plead not guilty to beating of Sox fans Man dies, officer injured in Lincolnwood shootout Zell confirms Cubs bidders narrowed to 5 An Open Letter from the SIFA African Children’s Choir $750,000 bond for suspected drug dealer Mini mart workers fight off armed robbers Teen brothers in critical condition after shooting Man walking home slain on South Side Niles to pick a new mayor Obama: Cub fans 'not serious' Ethics bill sponsors say they'll override gov's rewrite Healthy meals for kids returning to school Fulton's reopens after shut down by health inspectors Former jail employee indicted for stealing from inmates Will city start charging cash for trash? Gas prices could fall to $3 by end of year Home prices drop by record amount Michelle Obama celebrates Chicago roots I'll call off boycott with deal: Meeks Wisconsin man builds 5-seat Harley 135-foot ride to debut at Holiday World Man alleges sex abuse, threats by priest Metro briefs Metro briefs Bookstore dream comes to a close Veterans salute new citizen over breakfast Beauty school sizing up Tinley plaza

Thieves strike African children's choir Some schools too poor for recess Biden has deep ties to Rezko accomplice 1 dead, 1 wounded in W. Side shooting Girl, 8, shot while playing on West Side porch Cook County skims workers' donations Feds nab 'cracked-out maniac' on South Side Families of victims in fatal crash reach settlement Suspect driving stolen cop car crashes Man fatally shot, cop injured in suburban shooting Women race to be bride's leading ladies CPS transformation plan expands to 18 more schools Couple shot; 5 others wounded in Englewood More Pentagon rubble stolen from Shanower 9/11 memorial CN reaches agreement with Joliet After transplant, dad gets his day at Sox game Gov to target double-dipping House Dems in ethics bill rewrite Attorney calls for neutral review of Lewis shooting Breaking out of car 'cocoon' 2 teens shot in South Shore Chicagoan helps parents soothe their babies Indicted Niles mayor retiring after 47 years Chicago dance teacher loved being a 'Barney' kid Illinois, Chicago in top 5 for hybrids Gas station owner killed on N.W. Side 100,000 expected for Harley party Menominee Tribal Court chief dies Metro briefs

All-Kids sign-up yielding benefits Amputee triathlete is Chicago's Ironman Elderly landlord set on fire dies Elderly man found shot to death in North Center 6 childhood pals home from Iraq For Air Jordan aficionados, it really is the shoes Niles mayor steps down Bond denied for handyman in double stabbing Firefighters battle refinery fire in south suburb 50 people who make Chicago better Hospital purchase a good deal or big risk? Ill. Dems' battles will intensify in Denver Stem cell finding may boost blood supplies First W. Nile case in Cook County Jones took Obama, 'pushy' organizer, under his wing Man accused of helping hide rotting corpse on toilet goes to court this week in Mauston, Wis. Corn grinder pulls in teen boy

Weis strips top deputy of personnel powers CHA was warned gates were dangerous U. of C. shunning poor patients? Police identify man in Lincoln Park shooting Two CTA workers hurt in ComEd malfunction Two bodies found floating in Lake Michigan $1M bond for man in fatal hit-and-run Teen killed in police-involved shooting Man critically wounded in Lincoln Park drive-by Body of man pulled from Lake Michigan Second look at cop in fatal crash Cops tag pair of graffiti suspects All lanes of Edens to open Sunday Most local Whitehall Jewellers stores sold Cat with 'horns' becomes an online sensation Cops take on the FBI in triathalon Son, like dad, dies in motorcycle crash Teen soccer player collapses, dies All Edens lanes open Sunday UIC to release Obama-Ayers records

Fatal crash involving cop gets second look Man arrested for European graffiti spree Mom wants cardinal to quit Chicagoan makes city better by teaching violin Man charged for setting landlord on fire Former Chicago news anchor admits e-mail hacking Downers Grove cat with 4 ears finds fame Edens construction could end Sunday Baby's death ruled a homicide Fitch cuts Tribune ratings deeper in 'junk' status Ceiling falls on woman in bed Five shot in Far South Side drive-by Police to take on feds in annual triathlon North Shore teen collapses on soccer field, dies School funding reform advocates optimistic Snack packs aid doggy diets Ditka, coach raise cash for paralyzed athletes Helicopter en route to Oswego crashes Chicago City Chase not for the meek 'Duke of Earl' singer outraged Jones' son given spot on November ballot Growing chance of CTA fare hike The whole world watched the Chicago DNC Cops question man in attack on landlord Latin soccer field back on track Tempel Steel expanding in city, leaving suburb Chicago Tribune names managing editor Motorcyclist killed in Portage Park hit-and-run Stebic family to 'make noise' on TV show Divorce lawyer's article on tactics is blood-chilling Aurora homeowner fights for 250-year-old tree Metro briefs Daley not sold on lowering drinking age Sheriff's jail stint 'divinely inspired'

Alderman gets powder-filled letter Chicago's 'North Side rapist' gets 90 years Wardens don't care that you used to be the governor Emil Jones III inches closer to dad's Senate seat Daley: School funding suit better than boycott Ex-North Side pastor jailed over church theft Woman, 20, killed by Blue Line train Chicago area jobless rate hits 7.5% Marijuana hunt is on in National Lakeshore Bond set at $2M for man accused of shaking child Man killed in West Side shooting Truck crashes after driver falls asleep behind wheel Man charged for fatal stabbing in Round Lake Beach Two men, one boy shot on Far South Side Man sentenced to four years for raping female friend Man pleads not guilty to hitting dog with hammer Lawsuit: Funding system violates civil rights Durbin proposes bill to replace, rehab Amtrak trains Past 'separate and unequal' lawsuits failed Bar video sheds new light on police-involved crash Rezko gets sentencing delayed till October Theater revival in Portage Park Sheriff checks himself into jail Drew's lawyer: Cops knew Stacy's scheme Assessor seeking re-election scoffs at e-mail controversy Dispute between compliance chief and sex harassment officer Family of alleged McCormack victim sues archdiocese Teachers union VP tossed out over spending issues Event planners hope to boost sales with Bizbash event Feds release online database with death rates Magee Middle School back in business Write on, Barbarians Obama's half-brother to Vanity Fair: 'No one knows I exist' 4-eared feline finds fame thanks to Internet photo Hoax calls tell people they might have STD Man gets probation for secret sex tape Prison doctor accused of fondling inmates Obama to campaign in Eau Claire, Wis. Metro briefs

Urban League challenges school funding Rezko sentencing delayed Plan to sell railway picks up some steam Building damaged by fire in Lincoln Park Police may have Round Lake Beach murder weapon Second sentencing Thursday for 'North Side rapist' Man's body pulled from Fox River Federal hiriing monitor eyes city layoffs, too Lake County Sheriff sentences himself to jail Cicero shooting ends with residential takeover Kids urged to attend, skip first day of school 81 new firefighters are first group from '06 test One dead, one wounded in South Chicago shooting Local teen goes to Hollywood with gridiron heroics Should train conductors know CPR? Fellow officers mourn off-duty cop shot last week Chicagoan betters city by building African schools City agrees to arbitrator on firearms test for FOP leaders Senate Dems scramble for Jones' job Controversial pastor lands job at Orland Hills church Living within her means has paid off big-time Landlord, 77, attacked with burning chemical Daley scoffs at worries of political purge Man drags pit bull with car: cops Firefighters graduate as possible layoffs loom Mouthy Macho Diesel oil fire destroys Amish sawmill Nocturnal visitors drive Oak Lawn neighbors batty Independent cabbies claim foul by Mills guards Lake Shore Drive work closes 2 southbound lanes Metro briefs

Shootings tied to NBA player's party? Aldermen urged to give up pay hike Jones anoints son to his seat in Illinois Senate Man jumps from CHA window, injures two officers Lake Shore Drive resurfacing work to begin Daley insists layoffs will not be political Noose found at South Side police station Weak economy biting restaurants Kishwaukee aligator caught Lake County sheriff to spend week in jail Another case of West Nile found in Illinois Semi fatally strikes motorcyclist, flees the scene Woman says medical leave led to firing on O'Hare project Police: Metro East explosion injures worker Three shot in separate attacks on South Side Ex-con held in murders Work with troupers a barrel of laughs Man wounded during shooting in Wrigleyville Elderly man critically hurt when lit on fire Stacy Peterson supporters lose push for coroner referendum Man says 9-foot tapeworm came from undercooked salmon salad Trench mishap shuts N. Clark Man shot in head in Back-of-the-Yards Fire on Brown Line tracks dealay trains 57% think God can save when doctors can't Man, 40, shot near Englewood gas station Going easy on the wine Big Shots in small cars Praying couple says case unconstitutional Indiana ranks 11th fattest among states Metro briefs Blue flu hits Pace Matteson to decide on interim mayor next week

Bond denied in murder of woman, cop Cop fatally shoots man on SW Side 1 killed near Rock ‘n’ Roll McDonald's Escaped buffalo shot after wandering onto I-55 Emil Jones discloses thoughts behind leaving Senate Will Co. won't hold referendum on coroner's office Girl charged with hurling acid at woman More than 100 people displaced by W. Chicago fire Families to killers: 'Turn yourself in' 9-year-old saves brother from drowning Man gets 10-foot tapeworm from restaurant: suit Child care isn't cheap in Cook County City kids get lessons in life skills Couple found dead in park committed suicide Man struck by CTA train on West Side Tree gone -- after the flood Sheriff's rebate ruse brings in 66 fugitives State Senate leader Jones to reveal retirement plans Drunken driver crashes into wall on Kennedy Man shot in S. Side apartment building Waukegan man beats up street signs Accused serial killer charged with murder plots Toddler drowns when grandfather faints aboard boat Probe into death of cop, woman making progress Newlyweds Tasered, arrested at reception Weis, Devine seek pardon for Chicago cop jailed in Iowa A look back at Royko's best columns NPR commentator dies Pol can't prove accusations against Rove Toy drive honors slain GI's last wish Man, 22, killed by fall at church picnic Priest sex abuse case gets green light Metro briefs

Cops question several in W. Side murders She's determined to promote fitness Nonunion county workers got 8 percent raise Man falls attempting to slide down theatre railing 'Always dreaming about the future' Man shot at Wicker Park gas station Thousands pay respects to comedy king Bernie Mac S. Side school gets 2nd life after 14 years Fields family also has a baseball star Woman slain with detective celebrated Bodies of man, ex-wife found in Far North Side park State teen driving deaths off 52% Reward renewed for arrest in '05 slaying of man Riders stuck on Metra train for 3 hrs. Posh Barrington Hills in fear after residents bound in robbery Northwest Side man reported missing 2 injured in Wicker Park hit-and-run Park Forest veteran vindicated 60 years later Shooting claims life of 14-year-old On this date Priest gets 1 year for 3 sex assaults Appleton hunts for source of dots Street official fired in sidewalk scandal Metro briefs Dentist counted pols, singers among his patients

Naperville mourns pair killed in war zone Gurnee mom, son killed changing flat tire Bill Murray drops in to kick off the festivities 152 opt for city buyout Cop a 'guardian angel' Canadian National urges final board decision City could save millions by privatizing recycling: group Tribune axes more than 40 newsroom staffers Mother's death leaves family questioning care Former Lincoln Park gorilla euthanized Metro briefs

Bill Murray jumps from plane at air show Naperville remembers two fallen servicemen Lawyer takes on Nancy Grace in lawsuit Off-duty cop shot in SUV dies Here's the story, of an air venture with Carol Brady New laws to protect renters from foreclosure Officials: Everyone a target in city layoffs Lawyer posts abusive priests' phone numbers Mom, son killed in I-94 while changing tire Group: Blame policy, not guards, for jail woes Bicyclist killed in Northwest Side shooting Pilsen neighbors think idea of sausage stand stinks A look back at Royko's best columns Man slain in Ukrainian Village State GOP rally strikes optimistic tone South, West Side group eyes share of Olympic pie Judge to ex-princpal: Go read to kids Letter from officer paid warm tribute to Kup Going a long way for R&R Buffalo Grove man gets $56.25 mil. for telling truth State jobless rate hits 7.3% This 'American Girl' wins her dream house Chief defends police in Waukegan shooting Tinley man accused of molesting teen Neighbor rescues girl pinned under car CTA prepares for Air & Water Show Park Forest cleans out 'squatter party houses' Metro briefs

Unemployment up to 7.3 percent Off-duty detective dies after shooting CPS students can soon use school IDs on CTA Boy who fell into harbor recovering in hospital Two Naperville troops killed in action Two found dead in Romeoville home Four shot at Southwest Side jewelry store 17-year-old shot to death by Waukegan cop Oil tank burns for nearly four hours in south suburb Two shot, one fatally, on South Side street Two men shot in Lincoln Park drive-by New Zealand mud snails invading Lake Michigan Person stabbed after leaving church soup kitchen CTA Catch-22: We're saving by paying more Victim, cop slam archdiocese's efforts to get priest out of prison early Dems dwarf GOP at Illinois State Fair A 9,500-year-old find for U of C fossil digger City cuts to hit all levels Late principal's son to get $8.5M in root canal death Unity day in Springfield: Local Dems continue to fight Looking out for aging boomers Midlothian eyes saggy pants ordinance Politically connected bidders set sights on big cleaning deal The rites of citizenship 2 suspects among 4 shot in holdup Window washer thwarts burglars in Orland Palos couple gets time for stealing $6.3 million Toyota won't resume production Tape shows cop's denial of rapes Milwaukee to dedicate Bronze Fonz statue Bloomington, Ind., to build 23-foot-tall table Metro briefs

'Mr. White' robs 2 banks in under two hours Bikes will own the streets for 2 days Cardinal tried to spring sex abuser, changed view Waukegan police fatally shoot teen after struggle Woman killed, off-duty cop shot Four shot in South Side robbery attempt Troutman, gang chief were lovers, feds say Four shot on South Side Five injured, one possibly shot, in multi-vehicle crash CTA employee critical after falling onto third rail 1,000 workers face ax: Daley adviser Roach sandwich closes North Side BBQ spot Complete recovery for toddler who fell in lake Chevy for sale —1.03 million miles on it Man kills self walking in front of Metra train Ex-Glenbard East student guilty of rodent rage Survived breast cancer 5 years? You can make it Area home sales drop 29 percent in 2Q Unpaid bills have crews flooding city to shut off water Charges drag Tribune to $4.5 billion 2Q loss 3rd Chicago cop charged in insurance fraud case Body pulled from lake on North Side Breast-feeding ending too early? Victim was 7 when abused by priest Average scores on ACT inching up in Illinois for Illinois junior Chicago Archdiocese priests listed in settlement Logan still waiting to hear if he'll face new trial Senate votes against pay hikes for lawmakers Uno's Chicago is looking to defer interest payment Cold War tanks may poison our water Swastika sprayed on black church's van Old grenade found in Door County cottage World's tallest woman dies in Indiana Springfield M.D.s apologize for barring black Gym teacher accused of having child porn Metro briefs Multi-million dollar settlement in dental office death

Senate votes down pay raise O'Hare bulldozing on hold Quinn leads pay raise picket at gov's speech Silver medal 'just the icing on the cake' Family mourns pizzeria manager's death Man wounded in Hoffman Estates drive-by Meet the Illinois State Fair hog-calling champion Woman driving taxi dies in crash at O'Hare Archdiocese reaches settlement with abuse victims Flat Top and Gum Fung closed after flies found Alton Logan to wait another month for retrial Chevy Tahoes to give police fleet a new look No need to panic if you're not selling anytime soon Bloomington cop sentenced to 440 years Feds kick in $2M to fight gangs Study: Stretching drills help prevent ACL injuries Fire under control in Lincoln Park Mexican restaurant Meeks solicits support for school boycott plan 2 scammed Orthodox Jews, stole $100M: feds Area surgeon dies in small-plane crash Workers rush to repair water pumps Chicago's top cop to rank and file: you'd better measure up Rezko pal says legal woes over Near West Side man dies after falling 7 floors Man shot in head on West Side Gunman on bike shoots two men on West Side Man fatally shot in Ukrainian Village Angry tanner busts salon countertop Homeowners owing more than property worth Teenager in January bomb-threat case charged with DUI Lisle teen charged with attempted murder New Fire Bureau chief, 18 more elite promotions Motorcyclist killed in wreck with car H-F Park District has hopes for mini-Sox park Man bought Favre Jets jersey — in 2002 Man gets 1 year for embezzling $100,000 Child molester gets 29 years for ID theft Teen charged with illegal tattoo of child Suspect in Naperville murder awaits trial Metro briefs

Silver lining for Magnuson No injuries reported in Diversey Harbor boat fire Elderly man crashes into parked car, dies Murders rise 18 percent in city Charred body found in trunk was shot Slain Maywood teens had high hopes for future Bond set at $700,000 in fatal motel stabbing Cop pleads not guilty in bar beating Judge delays demolition of Bensenville homes 104-year-old Cubs fan wants to toss first pitch Man shot in head on West Side Teen driver fatally hits 3-year-old boy 74-year-old indicted in man's fatal bludgeoning New parents turn to experts for cat advice 5 injured in Pilsen blaze Man fatally shot after fight on street corner Courting trouble over witnesses 1,500 immerse themselves in all things Harry Potter United pilots want CEO Glenn Tilton to resign Sharpton joins call for school boycott Car insurance premiums going up for Illinois drivers Family, friends celebrate Magnuson's second-place finish in Tinley Portrait of a suspect: Who is Larry Galloway? Buying a condo? Drinks are on seller Two injured in Back-of-the-Yards shootings An evening on the town ... at McDonald's? Lawsuit: Midlothian discriminates against Hell's Angels members Dad seriously hurt when shot by son The Road ahead Police: Sex offender fails to register 4 times Gold rings taken from dead woman's hand Indiana farm sees rare twin colts born Metro briefs Improper turn signal use on the rise: cops

Bernie Mac remembered Hooked on the Web Parents of slain CPS students visit somber exhibit Police: Fire that injured two girls not suspicious Beatle, Bronco hit back roads 3-year-old runs into alley, fatally struck by vehicle Man fatally shot in Ukrainian Village Man fatally shot, friend crashes en route to hospital One killed in Dan Ryan rollover Woman found dead at South Side motel Fossett faked death over debt? Not so, lawyer says Three 18-year-old males killed in Maywood shooting Critics: Don't cut OT for beat cops 2 girls critical after fire hits apartment building Grant Park Music Fest a satisfying treat No-car vow earns students free bike at Ripon College Man found shot to death in car on Ike Tow trucks swoop in on paradegoers' cars Domestic-violence activist's son charged Lake trout stocking effort in the works

Part of South Side at risk of flood Couples wed with 'lucky' 08-08-08 date Hundreds march on Chinese consulate Two teens shot while leaving Bud Billiken Parade Three 18-year-olds fatally shot in Maywood Firefighter saves two children from fire Bond set for man charged in deli stabbing One dead in shooting on Eisenhower Driver killed after car jumps embankment Two shot, one dead, on South Side Airline industry woes threaten O'Hare expansion West Side home collapses, no injuries reported Tribune job cuts begin O'Hare No. 2 resigns over generator scandal ISAT results don't add up Aurora couple weds after patriotic courtship Comedian, South Sider Bernie Mac dies at 50 Metro briefs Man charged in stabbing of 3 in Near W. Side deli

Does Burke's war chest violate ethics? The grass is greener -- in the 'burbs Cleared for takeoff ComEd, city probe O'Hare exec's generator delivery Man charged with shooting 11-year-old girl Rush hour back-ups expected after semi strikes overpass Man in custody in West Side deli stabbing Two men shot, one fatally, on South Side Police: Who killed this Joliet woman? Officer suspended for allegedly demanding freebies at Starbucks Telecommuter saves by phoning it in Regular blood pressure tests only as reliable as home monitor: study City to privatize flawed drug testing program Electric bikes charge ahead Businesses added to Meeks' school boycott Jack-knifed truck spills diesel on Dan Ryan City: We have enough boots if 2-ticket proposal passes Judge grants Fast Eddie's slow motion Graffiti-inspired paint job stirs up neighbors Orland Park woman celebrates 88th birthday on 8-8-08 Hiring practices still flawed, fed monitor says Cop fired for having sex with rookie's wife in station Americans drink less alcohol as they age Duckworth dives in Orland Park Man wanted for exposing himself to woman Child sex suspect faces deportation Did gov skip parade of hecklers? Second McHenry Co. 'Most Wanted' fugitive captured Joliet college student killed in hit-and-run Metro briefs Hospital official's high pay questioned

Cop demands free Starbucks coffee Former Ald. Troutman pleads guilty Cubs think Cuban would spend to win Three stabbed near West Side restaurant 3 Chicago banks robbed within minutes of each other ComEd: All power to be restored by Thursday night Gov rolls out proposal for expressway cameras Prosecutors: Woman kills boyfriend over alcohol Police: Pedestrian struck and killed in hit-and-run Former cop charged in barricade situation Gov says: Say cheese, speeders Judge clears city's O'Hare plan for takeoff Labor leaders press Daley on deficit Bullets found on DePaul campus Students 'robbed of their childhood' Motorist dies in car fire despite rescue efforts For those still without power, ComEd says light is in sight Several homeless after Grayslake apartment fire Paul McCartney gets kicks on Route 66 Stable owner, caretaker charged in horse abuse Cops kill man in shoot-out Is TV's adultery, kinky sex an attack on marriage? Cubs may be bleacher bums on Wrigley parking garage Obama says hello to Bayh Kids offer solutions to violence Event to benefit children of slain Lockport soldier A Chicago politician's public mea culpa Noisy traffic leads to assault of cop Man who shot cop won't spend time in jail 'Garfield Minus Garfield' getting published Michigan City lighthouse turns 150 Ex-Urbana school superintendent charged Residents ready for their chance to save mansion Gov plans to extend age for health coverage

Former Ald. Arenda Troutman pleads guilty Fans can't party in parking lot during games Chicago kids too scared to leave home Officer injured in South Side robbery Miserable traffic