Public Safety

Gunshots disturb Howard neighbors

Evanston police are still investigating the latest of a series of incidents over the last few days in which shots were fired in the area around Howard Street and Custer Avenue.

The incident under investigation happened Monday afternoon when two groups of young men were shouting at each other across Howard near Custer and one pulled out a gun and started firing.

Police recruit sues, says fired for 'raspy voice'

A man has filed a discrimination suit against the city of Evanston, saying he was hired as a police cadet but fired less than two weeks later because of his "raspy voice."

Hands off that phone while driving

Evanston Police will start issuing verbal warnings Monday as enforcement of the city's new ordinance banning drivers from using hand-held cell phones.

Only hands-free cell phone use is legal under the ordinance, which also bans text messaging, sending, reading or listening to an electronic message or browsing the internet.

Sherman Plaza residents told 'don't drink the water'

Sherman Plaza residents are being told they shouldn't drink the water in their condo units -- at least until test results are available Thursday morning.

In an e-mail message to building residents, the condo tower's management company says that a plumbing contractor discovered blue-colored water draining from a cut water supply pipe inside one of the condo units.

High-rise false alarm blocks downtown traffic

What turned out to be a false alarm at the Church Street Station condo high-rise at 1640 Maple Ave. tied up downtown traffic about 9:30 this morning.

Thief picks up drop off boxes

Evanston police say somebody made off with metal clothing donation boxes in two different parts of the city recently.

A box at 2209 Howard St. disappeared Monday and one at 1466 Simpson St. was discovered missing on Saturday.

Evanston fire chief to retire

Evanston Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky plans to retire this spring.

Berkowsky, 51, who pushed successfully for the replacement of two deteriorating fire stations, said he will step down May 28. He has served as fire chief for the past six years.

Police warn of 'pigeon drop' scam

Evanston police are warning about con artists tricking elderly residents into withdrawing money from their bank accounts.

Surveillance photo from Evanston police of suspected con man.

Power failure in city

Update 11:18 a.m.: A power failure hit portions of Evanston about 10:45 this morning. Traffic lights were reported out across much of the downtown area, and there several reports of people trapped in stalled elevators.

Evanston man charged in child-porn case

A federal magistrate ruled Tuesday that an Evanston man should remain in custody on charges of transporting child pornography after hundreds of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct were linked to a desktop computer in his south Evanston residence.