Bob

Bob Seidenberg is an award-winning reporter, covering issues in Evanston for more than 30 years. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism.

Council scorecard

Council Scorecard Monday, June 9, 1. Council votes 6-3, authorizing officials to move forward on the purchase of property at 801-09 Main Street. The city will tap Tax Increment Finance funds to purchase the property, which now includes a vacant laundromat. Voting in favor: Shawn Iles, 3rd, Jonathan Nieuwsma, 4th, Bobby Burns, 5th, Matt Rodgers,…

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Free Flow restaurant owners Nichole Pinkard (at lectern) and Nina Wade fielded questions at the meeting. City of Evanston screenshot

New west side restaurant to receive assistance to fix exhaust system

By Bob Seidenberg Evanston’s City Council approved on Monday night an $82,510 loan to new restaurant Free Flow Kitchen, 1623 Simpson St., to install a new exhaust and fire suppression system and rejected an amendment that the owners be held personally liable to pay it back if the venture fails. Councilmembers voted 6-3 in support…

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Addressing the city’s Planning & Development Committee June 9, Laurie Jacobs speaks in support of making a residence at 2222 Grey Ave., a full time vacation rental. City of Evanston screenshot

Committee votes 5-0 against couple’s vacation rental request advancing

By Bob Seidenberg A City Council committee on Monday night shot down a request from a couple to make a single-family residence on the 2200 block of Grey Avenue into an all-year vacation rental, siding with a group of residents who argued it would have negative effects. The Planning and Development Committee voted 5-0 against…

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Evanston man, 28, charged with attempted murder in emergency room shooting

Female security guard, who was shot three times in the incident, is in stable condition: police A 28-year-old Evanston man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting in the Evanston Hospital emergency room June 5. The suspect, Christian Haywood, has been charged with one felony count of attempted first degree murder,…

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City of Evanston photo

Honor Juneteenth with a Parade & Celebration

Working in parallel with Evanston Present and Future, the City of Evanston will honor Juneteenth with the annual Juneteenth Parade and Celebrations on Saturday, June 21. Juneteenth, also referred to as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, or Freedom Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americas and is observed every year on June 19. This…

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Evanston Hospital was placed on lockdown earlier tonight after a shooting in the emergency room earlier.

Evanston Hospital placed on lockdown after emergency room shooting

Offender in custody; Guard’s  injuries considered non-life-threatening Evanston Hospital was placed on lockdown earlier tonight after a shooting in the hospital’s emergency room left a security guard wounded. The offender is in custody. CBS News reported that the victim who was wounded is a security officer who engaged the offender in a struggle inside the…

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From left: Nina Wade and Nichole Pinkard talk about their request for $82,510 in financial assistance to cover the cost of a new fire suppression system at the EDC meeting Wednesday. “Our goal was to do this all on our own,” Pinkard told the committee. “ We did not initially assume we we were going to need to ask for funds.” Credit: Bob Seidenberg

Free Flow Kitchen wants city loan to take restaurant to next level

By Bob Seidenberg Nina Wade, the co-owner of the Free Flow Kitchen restaurant, said she and her panini press have been “hand-in-hand” since the restaurant opened May 20. She produces breakfast sandwiches with it in the morning, and then turns back, cranking out Tuscan sandwiches, to-go soups and salads for lunch. She and co-owner Nichole…

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Evanston City Manager Luke Stowe talks with Pastor Ken Cherry and family members after they complained of harassment of a longtime resident following a domestic dispute shooting in their neighborhood.

Pastor, family members say homeowner harassed after domestic shooting

By Bob Seidenberg The pastor and family members of an 86-year-old Evanston woman say she is being harassed by unfounded police calls and parking enforcement after a May 3 domestic-related shooting at her residence on the 2300 block of Greenwood Street. During the public comment portion of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Pastor Ken Cherry and…

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