Daily Southtown

"The Alcatraz of the Midwest"

Built 160 years ago, the Joliet Correctional Center was never intended to appear pleasant, but rather, consciously impervious, intimidating and scary. Take a tour, it's the stuff of B-movie nightmares. trib.in/2PaCMVL

Puppy enrichment playground for service dogs

Local teenager Matt Ketchen built a puppy enrichment playground for Heartland Service Dogs in Mokena as part of his community service project to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. https://trib.al/XOGTU3S

Orland Park police use drone to apprehend suspect

Orland Park police are one of five agencies in Illinois using advanced drone technology to apprehend criminal suspects and search for missing people. The department recently released this drone footage showing officers apprehending a suspect in a parking lot near LaGrange Road and 147th Street. The General Assembly is considering legislation to allow expanded use of drones to conduct surveillance at large-scale events. Proponents say the measures could help police prevent terrorist acts and mass shootings. Privacy advocates warn that authorities could abuse the surveillance technology. Some raise concerns that police could use drones to identify protestors at peaceful political demonstrations. Read more: https://trib.in/2JEjE3q

Students say #ENOUGH during walkouts

“Enough is enough. The time for change is now. School safety is not a political issue, but a fundamental right for everyone,” said Richards High School senior Jonathan Le before more than half of the 1,600 students gathered on the outdoor track for a moment of silence, followed by a public address reading of the biographies of all 17 people killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting Feb. 14. Afterward, students, many holding posters, walked a lap around the track. Two sets of balloons were released during the ceremony, one reflecting the Richards' school colors and the other orange for the Parkland, Fla. school. http://trib.in/2FAEmAe

LTHS Wild Fest

Alligators, bats and bald eagles... oh my! 😱 LTHS Wild Fest was quite a sight. (The alligator is named Bubba, by the way.) http://trib.in/2Cn09JI

Flooding in south suburbs

Portions of several streets in the south and southwest suburbs were closed Tuesday after heavy rains spawned flooding, and the area was bracing for potentially more of the same after additional downpours.

Lane Bryant killings

Inside the Tinley Park Police station are pictures of five women killed inside a Lane Bryant store ten years ago. Det. Ray Violetto has spent nearly the last decade trying to give them a voice. "We're missing one piece to put the whole total together," Violetto said earlier this week. http://trib.in/2rVgy3o

Harvey police shooting

A Harvey police officer shot a man yesterday who subsequently struck the officer with a police car he had commandeered, a city spokesman said. http://trib.in/2DTZmAX

Fire Fox?

Is it time for the Bears to fire head coach John Fox? Watch Tribune editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis draw an “unamused” coach Fox. http://trib.in/1oOayA3

Rescued dogs

Here's an inside look at the South Suburban Humane Society's efforts to rescue over 50 dogs from an alleged puppy mill in Peotone. The society hopes to have the first group of about five of the "healthiest and friendliest" dogs available for adoption by Friday. trib.in/2zn19ck

Lincoln-Way Central pitcher Ryan Vice

Lincoln-Way Central pitcher Ryan Vice hit 97 mph in the White Sox Fundamentals Zone. Video from https://thecube.com/

Funeral for Beecher family

Mourners paid their respects for Lindsey Schmidt, 29, who was pregnant, and her sons Owen, 6, Weston, 4, and Kaleb, 19 months, who died last week following a tragic crash near their Beecher home. They are survived by Schmidt’s husband and the boys' father Eddie. During the service, the Rev. Frank Italiano addressed Eddie directly. “Every night you prayed with your kids,” he said. “You and Lindsey taught your children to trust Jesus. That means everything.” http://trib.in/2hoOqRb

Live at the Palos Park pet parade

Live at the Palos Park pet parade with one of the unique contestants:

We are live at the Palos Park pet parade. Awards will be given to the best dressed pet, smallest pet, owner and pet look-a-like and most unusual pet.

Heavy rain wreaked havoc in the Chicago area Wednesday, flooding basements and slowing commutes. Read the full story here: http://trib.in/2vcIGvN

How will the Cook County soda tax work, and what will it cost you? Read the full article here: http://trib.in/2tBiixN

Doug Weiss and his daughters watch golfers at the short game area of the PGA Women's Championship.

New golfer Clare Sheedy practices putting at the PGA Women's Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club. Clare came with her Grandpa, Roy Beck, who has been a member at the country club for 47 years.

We're live at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club, where some of the golfers are working on their swings in the practice area.

The T.F. South High School theater teacher performed costume checks via Facetime from her hospital bed, and even scheduled her surgeries around performances. Read the full article here: http://trib.in/2sUm5XH