Evanston’s first homicide of the year dominated the news in August. But readers also focused on the arrest of 12-year-old bike riders and plans for a restaurant in a long-vacant building on Simpson.
Here’s a rundown of the month’s top 10 stories.
- Man shot to death at Chicago and Howard — Aug. 14 — A 25-year-old man was shot in the head by another man during an argument they were having on Howard Street near Chicago Avenue about 2:45 this morning. A few days later a suspect was arrested. He was charged with a weapons violation but no further charges were filed after it turned out the victim had been shot with his own gun.
- Objections raised to bike rider arrests — Aug. 8 — Aldermen on Evanston’s Human Services Committee heard complaints Monday about an incident in which police took two 12-year-olds into custody after they were seen riding on the handlebars and rear pegs of a bike that crossed a downtown intersection on a red light. And a week later, the father of one of the kids arrested raised similar complaints at a City Council meeting.
- Restaurant planned for long-vacant Simpson property — Aug. 12 — A long-vacant building on Simpson Street at the edge of Twiggs Park in Evanston could soon become the site of a new restaurant. Some neighbors objected, but the project received strong backing from the ward’s new alderman.
- Lyfe Kitchen closes; owners plan new concept — Aug. 15 — The Lyfe Kitchen restaurant in the rotunda of the 1603 Orrington office tower in Evanston is closing today after a three-year run.
- Cops: Gun recovered from teen — Aug. 27 — Evanston police say they recovered a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun in a traffic stop late Friday.
- Security in the redesigned Fountain Square — Aug. 19 — In the wake of attacks in which vehicles have been rammed into pedestrians, Evanston Now asked city staff this week about security plans for the new plaza in Fountain Square that will eliminate traditional curbs between pedestrians and cars.
- Group bike rides on Dodge targeted — Aug. 28 — Groups of bicycle riders who use the car lanes on Dodge Avenue may soon be targeted for tickets by Evanston Police.
- Two in custody after gun incident — Aug. 5 — Evanston police have two men in custody after an incident in which a woman reported one of the men had pointed a gun at her in south Evanston shortly after 2 o’clock this afternoon.
- Evanston man charged in robbery — Aug. 8 — An Evanston man has been charged with robbery and police are seeking a second suspect in connection with an incident late Sunday on Ridge Avenue.
- Suffredin: Appeal twice a year — Aug. 25 — Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin told residents at a 9th Ward meeting in Evanston Thursday evening that all homeowners should appeal their property tax assessment twice a year.