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player ready...The beluga whale calf born Friday at Shedd Aquarium still has yet to begin nursing, aquarium keepers said today.
The unnamed male calf has appeared frisky so far, but has not yet mustered the strength to dive to his mother’s mammaries for feeding. If he does not begin nursing today, keepers will continue to give the calf doses of artificial formula and an injection of antibodies until he learns to nurse on its own. If that doesn’t happen, Shedd officials fear the baby could become weak and die within days.
“Even though we’re concerned about the lack of nursing, we’re encouraged that the calf continues to be strong and is bonding with his mother,” Ken Ramirez, Shedd’s director of husbandry and training, said today. “Both mother and calf have allowed our animal care staff to assist the calf.”
NEW CRACKDOWN TARGETS GANGSTER DISCIPLES
Sixteen people linked to the Gangster Disciples have been arrested on drug charges in an apparent crackdown on the street gang, federal authorities said today. Police also seized about $200,000 and 16 guns in connection with the investigation.
U.S. Atty. Scott R. Lassar said the latest arrests essentially have crippled the once-mighty Chicago gang.
At their peak, the Disciples reportedly sold as much as $100 million a year in drugs. But the federal government has convicted at least 65 members of the gang over the past five years, including leader Larry Hoover, and virtually all of his top lieutenants.
OFFICIAL HEAT EMERGENCY OVER
The National Weather Service lifted its official heat warning for the Chicago metropolitan region today, but city officials said public facilities will continue to function as cooling centers for residents.
Fire Commissioner Ed Altman declared the city’s heat emergency program a success today as Chicago closed its heat comand center downtown.
Thunderstorms are expected today to help cool off the region, though the heat is expected to return by week’s end.
POLICE IN CALIFORNIA FATALLY SHOOT EX-NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL STAR
An autopsy is scheduled today for a onetime Notre Dame football captain who was shot and killed by police in San Diego during a burglary investigation.
Demetrius Dubose, who played for Notre Dame from 1989 to 1992, later played four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and less than one season with the New York Jets. He was shot in a struggle with police Saturday night.
CASH-FOR-STERILIZATION PROGRAM UNDER WAY
A California-based organization that pays drug addicts to be sterilized or accept long-term birth control officially expanded its program to Chicago today.
Officials of C.R.A.C.K. — Children Requiring a Caring Kommunity, based in Anaheim — chided critics who contend that their program is a drastic tactic.
“We know we have our critics, but until they come up with a better solution, we’re moving ahead,” Barbara Harris, the program’s founder, told reporters this morning.
LAWMAKER HOSTS GUN-SAFETY TALK
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) launched a series of gun-safety forums today at the Harold Washington Library in the South Loop.
Schakowsky is part of a group of congresswomen convening about a dozen such forums nationwide to bolster support for passing stricter gun-safety legislation this year.
Among the changes Schakowsky wants to see are a requirement that safety locks be sold with every handgun and tougher restrictions on buying weapons at gun shows, said Nadeam Elshami, Schakowsky’s spokesman.
TOLLS MAY RISE FOR NEW ROADS
Drivers might have to ante up to repair Illinois’ aging toll system, scheduled for a complete overhaul within five to 10 years, officials said.
But before a toll increase is considered, toll officials said they will explore other options, including seeking state funds and creating public-private partnerships to fund the revamp of the original toll system, now more than 40 years old. The original portions of the system are I-294, the Northwest Tollway and I-88, Toll Authority spokesman Don O’Toole said.
Although officials have known since 1997 that the original network of toll roads would have to be replaced, the idea of a toll increase had come only recently, when it was raised by incoming Toll Highway Authority Chairman Arthur Philip.
O’Toole said Illinois’ toll system, used by 1.2 million drivers a day, is the busiest in the country. “This happens with all tollways, even the best of them,” he said of the renovation. “The reality is staring us in the face.”
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DIVE-BOMBING BIRDS PESTERING JOGGERS
When it comes to protecting their young, it appears some territorial little lakefront blackbirds have no fear of people. The brazen birds are swooping down on joggers and bikers along the jogging path near Lake Point Tower, and aren’t afraid to use their claws.
John Bates, assistant curator at the Field Museum of Natural History, said the birds “will scare the heck out of you, but they usually won’t hit you.” Still, the birds have made themselves a nuisance to joggers who’ve found unwelcome talons in their scalps during their morning jogs.
INDIANA WOMAN STILL MISSING
Police today are sifting through evidence found in the burned-out car of a missing Valparaiso, Ind., woman. Lorraine Kirkley, 34, a nurse, has been missing since Wednesday night, when her husband returned to their home and found the garage door open, clothes strewn about the bedroom, and a knife and traces of blood.
Kirkley’s burning car was found Saturday morning in a cornfield about 21 miles from her home.
BEARS OUT OF HIBERNATION
The Bears defied the weekend heat and began revving up for their new season with the start of training camp in Platteville, Wis. Shane Matthews is starting as the Bears quarterback, in place of the Bears as-yet-unsigned draft pick Cade McNown.
CHICAGO LUCKLESS ON THE DIAMONDS
The White Sox lost to the Blue Jays, 11-3; The Mets beat the Cubs, 5-1, sweeping the series.
The Cubs move on to Montreal, 6:05 p.m. The White Sox close out the series against Toronto at Comiskey Park, 7:05 p.m. Full schedule in Sports.
COMING UP …
Steppenwolf Theatre hosts Willy Schwarz and the All-American Immigrant Orchestra, performing original compositions highlighting the American experience in words and music drawn from traditional ethnic sources; 7:30 p.m. … Annoyance Theatre opens “So, I Killed a Few People,” a one-man show about a confessed killer about to be electrocuted; 9 p.m. … Metro presents the punk/pop group Face to Face, 7 p.m. … The Beaux Arts Trio plays Ravinia’s Martin Theatre, 8 p.m. … Empty Bottle presents the soul/gospel/funk of Make Up, 9:30 p.m.
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