Vindy.com for March 26, 2011

Please note, our last day of publication was Saturday, August 31, 2019.

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Stories published March 26, 2011

Please note, our last day of publication was Saturday, August 31, 2019.

Canfield crooner to open recording sessions

Angelo Babbaro aims to build his career the same way he sings '” the old-school way.


Fatal shooting on East Side today

Youngstown police are investigating a fatal shooting on the city’s East Side around 5 p.m. Saturday.


13 doctors, 3 hospitals and $40K for a diagnosis

How do you deal with symptoms of Lyme disease, being misdiagnosed for several years and watching your life and health slip away?


COMING SUNDAY|| Poland, a safe enough place

Where is the safest place in the world?


From 2 packs a day to e-cigs

Mahoning County native Brian Gage was a longtime smoker when he discovered electronic cigarettes. Shortly after, he began opting for the electronic alternative to his two-pack-a-day smoking habit.


Youngstown protester: 'This is what democracy looks like'

Bitterly cold winds didn’t prevent hot protesters from showing their opposition to Gov. John R. Kasich.


COMING SUNDAY || You don't scare us anymore

Vindicator columnist Bertram de Souza details the Valley's new reality in Sunday's Vindicator and on Vindy.com.


Frogs and other crawly things on the move

Salamanders, frogs and toads are on the move as they migrate back from their winter homes. McKeever


Phantoms’ Loney feature airs Sunday during Pens-Panthers game

PITTSBURGH Youngstown Phantoms forward Ty Loney will be profiled during the first intermission of


Syrian president blames Sunni cleric for nationwide unrest

A scenic seaside city echoed with gunfire today as protesters defied government forces in Syria's second day of nationwide unrest, burning tires, attacking businesses and setting the offices of the ruling party aflame.


Libyan rebels reseize city with help of international airstrikes

Libyan rebels clinched their hold on the east and seized back a key city on today after decisive international airstrikes sent Moammar Gadhafi's forces into retreat, shedding their uniforms and ammunition as they fled.


Pizza CEO: America must reclaim government from 'radical socialism'

Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain told hundreds of conservative activists that the nation won't solve its financial woes until policymakers reform entitlement programs.


Japan reveals missteps by reactor's operator

apan's government revealed a series of missteps by the operator of a radiation-leaking nuclear plant today, including sending workers in without protective footwear in its faltering efforts to control a monumental crisis.


Women's trailblazer Geraldine Ferraro dead at 75

Geraldine Ferraro was a relatively obscure congresswoman from the New York City borough of Queens in 1984 when she was tapped by Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale to join his ticket.


Parents announce Bretz-Carano wedding plans

HUBBARD The engagement of Kelly Bretz and Josh Carano is being announced by their parents, Tulie

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Christina London to be June bride of Solomon Lu

BOARDMAN The engagement of Christina London, daughter of Paul and Anne London of Boardman, and

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Dr. Awad to wed Mr. Alexander Jr. in August rite

CANFIELD Dr. Mounir and Linda Awad of Canfield are announcing the engagement of their daughter,

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July date is set for wedding of Clark, Hitchcock

LAKEWOOD, OHIO Amber Lynn Clark and Timothy John Hitchcock, both of Lakewood, are announcing their

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Miss Callow to wed Mr. Eilerman in July ceremony

GIRARD Announced by Veliko and Karen Callow of Girard is the engagement of their daughter, Laura

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Colleen Grosch to be bride of Scott Blevins

CANFIELD Cynthia Blevins of Canfield, mother of Scott M. Blevins, announces the engagement of her

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Benefit dinner moves


Ladies Spring Expo offers free admission

Ladies Spring Expo offers free admission NEW CASTLE, PA. The second annual Ladies Spring Expo


HELOISE: Info on cats, lilies helped owner

Dear Heloise: Thank you for getting out the information about lilies (they are poisonous to cats —


ANNIE’S MAILBOX: Request asks for ‘Birthday’ essay

By Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Annie: I’m looking for an essay from an old Ann Landers


Kentucky edges Ohio State 62-60 on Knight’s jumper

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Brandon Knight knocked down a jumper with 5 seconds remaining as the fourth-


Fitch athletes earn silver at state indoor meet

Fitch senior Waylan Andrews came down the backstretch on the last corner of Saturday’s 400-meter dash final with gold in his eyes and Shaker Heights senior Elijah Owens on his hip.


Gaming machines seized in Warren

Three gaming establishments were searched, and approximately 150 machines were seized during raids Friday afternoon, Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins said.


N. Carolina dismantles Marquette to join the Elite Eight

After repeated early, deep deficits this postseason, North Carolina flipped the script Friday night, dismantling Marquette 81-63 in an East Regional semifinal that was over before the half.

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Transfer to tackle YSU’s shortage of sacks

We might as well get this out of the way early. Yes, Youngstown State has a player named Nick DeKraker and, yes, his last name sounds an awful lot like, “Da cracker.”


Creditors of Forum fight on for funds

The unsecured creditors of the former Forum Health system are still trying to get more than $12 million in unrestricted donations to charitable foundations that supported Forum’s hospitals.


Rich Center looking for larger quarters

People come from other areas to enroll their children in the Rich Center for Autism, which is outgrowing its space on the first floor of Fedor Hall on the Youngstown State University campus.

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Tressel shared details on Pryor problem

When Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel learned last spring that some of his current players were in trouble, he shared the information with someone he thought could help his star quarterback.

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Pearson sworn in as judge

As the first black female federal jurist in Ohio, U.S. District Court Judge Benita Y. Pearson said it wouldn’t have happened without those who blazed the trail before her.

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Jayhawks squish Spiders for trip to the Elite Eight

Ramping up for perhaps the biggest game in school history, 12th-seeded Richmond huddled in the tunnel.


School officials take new tack on bullying

Education and not punishment could be the solution to bullying for Austintown schools.

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Phantoms scare RoughRiders late

The Youngstown Phantoms threw a late scare at the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders before falling 4-3 on Friday.


Davis leads Cavs past the Pistons

Baron Davis returned at the perfect time for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Company cancels plans to build waste-burning plant

The company that proposed to build and operate a $250 million waste-burning electric-power plant in Smith Township, Mahoning County, has canceled its plans to build the plant.


MVSD engineer put on paid leave

The Mahoning Valley Sanitary District placed a long-time engineer on paid administrative leave Friday while it investigates what the board president would describe only as “an event” involving the employee.


I-80 crash in Hubbard Twp. injures 7

A Hubbard Township crash that injured seven is under investigation.


Liberty townsfolk rally around steakhouse, family in tragedy

Scott Husk stands in the lobby of his restaurant, West Fork Roadhouse, 3850 Belmont Ave., Liberty, where a sign for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is prominently displayed. Scott and his wife, Jen, who died Jan. 13 of cancer, supported the project, and the restaurant will sponsor Team Jen this year. The couple made generous donations of gift certificates and food to many community organizations.


Follow your Dreams

Loreatha V. Hawkins wants to do more than tell a nice story for her readers.

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Breach possible at Japanese power plant

A possible breach at Japan’s troubled nuclear plant escalated the crisis anew Friday, two full weeks after an earthquake and tsunami first compromised the facility.

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Wild shot lifts Wildcats over No. 1 Buckeyes

Brandon Knight knocked down a jumper with 5 seconds remaining as the fourth-seeded Wildcats stunned top-seeded Ohio State 62-60 on Friday in the East regional semifinals.

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For four days, Youngstown is ‘circus town’

“Youngstown is definitely a circus town,” Clair Ballard said Friday. You better believe it.

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Qatar flies combat mission over Libya

Fellow Arab and African nations raised the international pressure Friday on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

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Senator, doctors put pressure on company to lower drug cost

Pregnant mothers and their premature babies ultimately will pay the health price because they may not be able to afford the medicine that prevents premature births, a U.S. senator and local health officials say.


Benefit dinner to raise funds for transplant patient

A spaghetti-dinner benefit to assist a former Mahoning Valley woman who recently received a double-lung transplant is set for 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Operating Engineers Local 66 Union Hall.


U.S. & WORLD NEWS DIGEST | Teen injured in Ind. school shooting

Teen injured in Ind. school shooting MARTINSVILLE, Ind. Dustin Tatum was leaving his middle-

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Students put to the test

Eleven teams of high school students huddled in clusters around computer screens Friday making decisions that would determine the fate of a company.


Youngstown police raid comes up with guns, drugs

Police raided a home on the city’s South Side, seizing guns and drugs.


Police probe two robberies on North Side

Police are investigating two robberies on the city’s North Side this week. A man was shot during one of the robberies.


New flag promotes pride in Hubbard

The March/April edition of Ohio Township News features an article submitted by John Pieton, Hubbard Township zoning administrator, about the township’s flag contest and how the flag promotes community pride.


METRO DIGEST | Attempted robbery at Home Depot

Police are searching for two men who attempted to rob Home Depot on Southern Boulevard.


Poland briefs

Meeting set for Women’s League The next meeting of the Boardman-Poland Junior Women’s League will


Senate Republicans must slow the adoption of photo-ID bill

Editorial: In an obvious attempt to suppress the votes of Ohioans who do not traditionally support them,


HBO miniseries ‘Mildred’ is marvelous

By FRAZIER MOORE AP Television Writer NEW YORK A remarkable thing (and there are many) about


NEWSMAKERS | Last ‘Oprah’ episode will be May 25

The final original episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” will air May 25.


Choose to take up the cross

“And he said to all: ‘If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross


Poland Shepherd crowns Mardi Gras royalty

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com On March 8, Poland Shepherd of the Valley celebrated Mardi Gras

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Phantom Squirts win tourney in Buffalo

The Youngstown Phantoms Squirt Select team defeated Salmon River Storm (NY) 4-3 in sudden death o.t.

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Program takes the scary out of science

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com Beth Colbert, a program presenter for Carnegie Science Center,

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Phantom Squirts win Pepsi tourney in Buffalo

The Youngstown Phantoms Squirt Select team defeated Salmon River Storm (NY) 4-3 in sudden death

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ABWA honors Woman of the Year

The Mill Creek Chapter of ABWA named Shirley Pappagallo as its 2011-2012 Woman of the Year on March


Track relay team competes at indoor state meet

The 4x800 meter relay team comprised of seniors Carissa Plourde and Katie Heney, junior Tori Moore

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Local girls hockey players headed to nationals

Zoie Amatore (Canfield) and Alexis Stutz (Boardman) joined their teammates from the Amateur Penguin

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Poland Relay sponsors two fundraisers

Join the Relay For Life of Poland team as it raises a glass to toast cancer survivors and their


Smith named Employee of the Year at Poland Shepherd

John Smith was selected as the Employee of the Year for Shepherd of the Valley-Poland at a recent

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Former Boardman swimmers excel in college

Former Boardman High School and current Westminster College swimmers Mark Brooks and Mike Barringer


Canfield youth collecting used sports equipment

Canfield High School seniors Lauren Lewis and Maggie Watt, will host a used sports equipment drive


Glenwood robotics team third at YSU competition

The Boardman Glenwood Middle School robotics team recently took home an overall third-place prize at

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Sports briefs

Youth wrestler wins three matches at state tourney Austintown’s Drew Fairbanks (70 pounds) went


Smith to lead First Night Canfield

Barb Smith, a veteran of nonprofit management, will take over as the director of Canfield’s First


Irish dancers entertain at Shepherd

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com For St. Patrick’s Day, the residents of Boardman Shepherd of the

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Canfield needs a Cheesecake Factory

Name: Maria Cutrona Age: 54 Job: Howard Hanna Real Estate Family: I am a mother of


School board adopts two resolutions

By kristine gill kgill@vindy.com The board of education adopted two resolutions to approve


Libraries extend hours

During the November levy campaign, the one question the librar staff heard most often was, “If the


Local girls hockey players headed to nationals

Zoie Amatore (Canfield) and Alexis Stutz (Boardman) joined their teammates from the Amateur Penguin


Murder mystery raises funds for cheerleaders

Stepping into Fitch High School on March 5 was a lot like stepping into a time machine back 26 years. The school’s cafeteria was transformed into a 1985 prom where a mystery was unfolding, as a group of ‘80’s Fitch students were found with an imaginary murder in their midst.

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‘MILDRED PIERCE’

‘MILDRED PIERCE’ Where: HBO When: Part 1 and 2, Sunday, 9-11:05 p.m.; Part 3, April 3,


St. Michael’s students celebrate St. Joseph

A group of fifth-graders from St. Michael Parish in Canfield, along with their families, organized

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Four Canfield wrestlers place at Grade School state

Four of Canfield’s nine wrestlers in the OAC (Ohio Athletic Committee) Grade School State

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Sports briefs

Bowl Over Cancer fundraiser coming A “Bowl Over Cancer” fundraiser will be April 2 at Arrowhead


Canfield council supports school levy

By Elise Franco efranco@vindy.com Mayor William Kay said its important that city council support


Canfield briefs

Pasta benefit planned Sunday A pasta and meatball dinner to benefit double lung transplant


Phantom Squirts win Pepsi tourney

The Youngstown Phantoms Squirt Select team defeated Salmon River Storm (NY) 4-3 in sudden death

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Canfield Players to perform ‘Anything Goes’

Anyone who has ever wondered what would happen if a nightclub singer, a stowaway in love with an engaged heiress, a public enemy, and his air-headed girlfriend all took the same cruise from New York City to London may finally get an answer.

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North first-graders learn history of hats

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com Usually when students enter their elementary school, they are

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Sports briefs

Spartan spaghetti dinner Sunday The Lady Spartans Fast Pitch Club will host a spaghetti dinner


Austintown briefs

Donate items for a trash and treasure sale Donations of unneeded items will be accepted April 6-8


St. Christine’s students celebrate Chinese New Year

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com The fourth-graders at St. Christine School celebrated the New Year

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Science center sparks interest at Watson

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com Mindy Gawlas, a staff educator for the Carnegie Science Center’s

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Stadium students hang out with their mentors

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com It might seem that an elementary student and a Boardman High

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Schools to buy vacant lot to improve traffic

By Kristine Gill kgill@vindy.com Austintown schools will purchase a vacant lot on Idaho Road to


Cardello takes fourth at Grade School state tourney

Poland’s Matt Cardello placed fourth at the OAC (Ohio Athletic Conference) state championships last

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Sports briefs

Scramble for the Cardinals Canfield boys golf will host a four-person scramble May 23 at


Trike-a-thon raises funds for St. Jude

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com On March 15, the gym at the Growing Place Preschool was overrun

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Phantom Squirts win Pepsi tourney in Buffalo

The Youngstown Phantoms Squirt Select team defeated Salmon River Storm (NY) 4-3 in sudden death

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Boardman briefs

Meeting set for Women’s League The next meeting of the Boardman-Poland Junior Women’s League will


St. Christine’s students celebrate Chinese New Year

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com The fourth-graders at St. Christine School celebrated the New Year

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Steel plant lays off 50 employees

Steel plant lays off 50 employees SHARON, Pa. A union official said a steel-galvanizing plant in


Hollow rhetoric wins out

Opinion: Tulsa (Okla.) World: Not surprisingly, the state House approved by a whopping 86-8 margin a measure


Unemployment drops 2 percent in Valley

By Kristen Russo krusso@vindy.com Youngstown There were 30,100 unemployed workers living in


Time is a factor with Senate Bill 5

Opinion: COLUMBUS A couple of things are evident in the ongoing debate over Republican-backed changes to


ZZ Top, Skynyrd coming to Covelli

Staff report YOUNGSTOWN The Rebels & Bandoleros Tour starring ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd will


Birthdays

Birthdays Actor Leonard Nimoy is 80. Actor Alan Arkin is 77. Actor James Caan is 71. Singer Diana


Falco, ‘Nurse Jackie’ return

By FRAZIER MOORE AP Television Writer NEW YORK Edie Falco has performed the near impossible:


Surplus food

Surplus food Temple Emmanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church, 108 W. Indianola Ave., Youngstown,


Our lives are cyber driven

Opinion: By Peter Goldmark Newsday I’ve been searching for an article, or a blog, or a post that shines a


lenten programs

lenten programs At area churches Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 490 N. High St., Cortland:


Submit info for Holy Week, Easter

Submit info for Holy Week, Easter The Vindicator will run a listing of area services that are open


LOTTERY

LOTTERY Friday’s numbers multistate Mega Millions22-24-31-52-54 Mega Ball4 Megaplier4


Today’s entertainment picks:

Today’s entertainment picks: v “The Three Phantoms,” 8 p.m.: Three men who have each sung the lead


Co-owner of Western Fork served heaping helpings of time and talent to Liberty Twp.

In telling Jen’s story, tears trickle down the face of her husband, Scott Husk. He smiles, too, remembering his loving, energetic and generous wife who fought a deadly disease.


Armed robbery

Armed robbery YOUNGSTOWN Youngstown State University police are looking for the man who robbed


Mahoning County court filings

courts MAHONING COUNTY Marriage licenses Mingzhang Kang, 65, of 111 Laurel Hills Lane,


Dreams really do come true

Opinion: One of my all time favorite songs is the classic by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson, “To All The


community church

community church Background Western Reserve Community Church, 8590 Hitchcock Road, Boardman, is


150th anniversary

Western Reserve Community Church celebrates longevity and legacy By LINDA M. LINONIS


Unrest in the Arab world

Latest developments in the Arab world’s unrest: JORDAN Protesters demanding reforms clashed with


Ohio House panel sets possible vote on labor bill

Associated Press COLUMBUS Legislative leaders plan to work over the weekend to hash out their


Years Ago

Today is Saturday, March 26, the 85th day of 2011. There are 280 days left in the year.


Baby Jessica turns 25, gains access to trust fund

Associated Press MIDLAND, Texas Baby Jessica is all grown up. She’s Momma Jessica now. The


Troops open fire on protesters in Syria

Associated Press DAMASCUS, Syria Troops opened fire on protesters in cities across Syria, and


news shows

Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows: ABC’s “This Week”: Defense Secretary Robert Gates and


GM to restart pickup plant

General Motors will resume regular production at its pickup plant in Shreveport, La., on Monday, a week after the company shut it down and blamed a shortage of parts from Japan.


Births

Births Valleycare Northside Medical center Mark and Holly Kalamets, Salem, boy, March 24.


Rite of passage: East High celebrates Quincea ±era

Staff report youngstown East High School had its fourth annual Quincea ±era Ball or Fiesta de


YSU student wins 2 ADDY awards

Staff report youngstown Youngstown State University student Chris Leson of Boardman proved he


BRIDGE Weekly quiz

BRIDGE Weekly quiz Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold: xK Q 7 uA J 9 7 6 3 2 vA 7 2 wVoid The


Ohio PTA convention nears

Staff report columbus Ohio PTA is gearing up for its 105th Annual Convention on April 8-10 at


Fit families event

Fit families event youngstown Ebony Lifeline Support Group, Inc. and the YAA/Youngstown Super


Montoya earns pole for Fontana race

Associated Press FONTANA, CALIF. After a series of so-so qualifying runs the first four weeks


Penguins net another shootout win

Associated Press PITTSBURGH Marc-Andre Fleury matched idol Martin Brodeur save for save through


GRADS LIST

These students were awarded bachelor’s degrees unless otherwise noted: UNIVERSITY OF AKRON


Grove City hosts EntreLeadership

Staff report grove city, pa. Whether you’re an individual who wants to develop your leadership


Smack talk spices OSU-Tennessee pregame

Associated Press DAYTON It only took a minute to raise the temperature of the Ohio State-


Burke’s team to face LaSalle in final

Associated Press Columbus Trey Burke, The Associated Press’ Mr. Basketball Ohio, had an off game


Oil costs threaten to slow growth

Associated Press WASHINGTON Consumers helped boost economic growth in the final months of last


Ohio poll says Tressel has plenty of support

By MARC KOVAC news@vindy.com COLUMBUS Forget Gov. John Kasich and President Barack Obama.


Reserve ticket funds covers the debt on Steelers’ stadium

Associated Press PITTSBURGH A reserve fund fed by a 5-percent ticket surcharge for Heinz Field


Real-estate industry springs into action

Associated Press In suburban Chicago, it’s paradise to be a homebuyer. At the Millbrook Pointe


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