Train Carrying Some House Republicans Hits Truck In Virginia; 2 Illinois Reps Unhurt

CHICAGO (CBS) — Illinois Congressmen Peter Roskam and Randy Hultgren and several other House Republicans on their way to a retreat in West Virginia were on board a train that hit a garbage truck Wednesday morning in Virginia.

The chartered Amtrak train left Union Station in Washington, D.C., around 8:30 a.m., and the train hit the back of a garbage truck around 11:20 a.m. in Crozet, Virginia.

Roskam’s office confirmed he and his wife were on the train, but were not hurt.

“To the best of my knowledge everyone that was on the train is fine. I’m trying to learn what the plan is for them now,” Roskam spokeswoman Veronica Vera said.

Hultgren’s office confirmed he also was on the train.

Fellow Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger announced on Twitter that he was not on the train, but it was unclear if any other House Republicans from Illinois were on the train.

I have taken alternative transportation to the GOP retreat today & was not on this train. Continuing to check in with colleagues & praying for those injured.

— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) January 31, 2018

Rep. Jeff Denham (R-California) tweeted a photo of damage to the front of the train.

.@maryaliceparks Front of the train heading to the Greenbrier pic.twitter.com/QGUxUbo8m7

— Jeff Denham (@RepJeffDenham) January 31, 2018

President Trump is meeting with his national security team but is aware of the accident, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Amtrak released a statement on the incident that said the train “came into contact with a vehicle that was on the tracks at 11:20 a.m. in Crozet, Va. There are no reported injuries to passengers or crew members. Local law enforcement is investigating the incident and crews are inspecting equipment for damage.”

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‘Serial Stowaway’ To Undergo Psychiatric Exam

CHICAGO (CBS) — A Cook County judge ordered a behavioral clinic exam for Marilyn Hartman during her back-to-back court hearings Wednesday morning.

Hartman is accused of repeatedly slipping past security and boarding planes at O’Hare Intentional Airport.

The psychological evaluation will test her sanity at the time she allegedly committed the crimes, as well as if she is fit to stand trial with or without medication.

During the hearings, Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. asked Hartman’s defense attorney, Parle Roe-Taylor, if the 66-year-old Grayslake woman has family. Roe-Taylor responded “yes,” but Hartman objected and yelled, “No, I don’t!”

Judge Bourgeois then asked, “Is she under the care of a medical professional?” Roe-Taylor said “no,” but Hartman again interjected, blurting out “yes.”

 

Less than one week ago, Hartman was in court pleading to go home after being arrested earlier this month for flying to London from Chicago on a British Airlines flight without a ticket.

She promised the judge she would stay away from O’Hare and Midway airports. However, this past Sunday morning, she was arrested again at O’Hare. Employees in the area of the airport that caters to privately owned airplanes spotted Hartman. She was told to leave but refused, so employees called police.

In the past two years, she’s been arrested several times for slipping by TSA or gate agents. She has also been in and out of voluntary mental health treatment for years.

Roe-Taylor is asking for an alternative to jail time. “She is not violent, none of the offenses have anything to do with violence. She’s not pushing past anyone in any of these incidents, she’s not hurting personnel even when she’s at the airport. So I don’t think that at 66 that this is the place she should be.”

Hartman is being held without bond until her next court date Feb. 13.

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Former White Sox Outfielder, 17-Year MLB Veteran Oscar Gamble Passes Away At 68

(670 The Score) Oscar Gamble, a 17-year MLB veteran who played seasons for the White Sox and began his big league career with the Cubs, has passed away at 68, according to multiple reports Wednesday.

Gamble’s best season came with the White Sox in 1977, when he had a career-high 31 homers. The Cubs selected Gamble, an Alabama native, in the 16th round of the 1968 amateur draft. He then debuted for the Cubs in 1969, playing in 24 games.

Gamble would play for seven teams in his career, including seven seasons for the Yankees. In addition to spending 1977 with the White Sox, he finished his career for them in 1985. Gamble had 200 career homers.

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Sources: Feds Arrest 6 Chicago Cops For Stealing Cash, Drugs From Dealers

CHICAGO (CBS) — Six Chicago police officers were in federal custody, and charges were pending against them Wednesday morning, for allegedly stealing money and drugs from drug dealers, sources have confirmed to CBS Chicago.

Police sources said the FBI performed at least three sting operations, each time catching officers stealing drugs and money on surveillance video.

On one occasion, the team stole nearly $20,000 from one drug dealer.

As many as seven officers were involved, and six of them were in federal custody. All officers are assigned to the Ogden District on the West Side. The officers have been under investigation by the FBI for more than a year, sources said.

Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi declined to confirm or comment on the allegations.

“Integrity and accountability are paramount to the Chicago Police Department. To that end, we can not comment on any investigation – internal or otherwise – until or unless criminal charges are filed,” he stated in an email.

The FBI also declined comment on the case.

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Levine: Eloy Jimenez’s Play Figures To Pressure White Sox For Big League Promotion

By Bruce Levine–

(670 The Score) As the next wave of talented prospects moves through the White Sox farm system, the player who will be watched most closely is 21-year-old outfielder Eloy Jimenez, who has a legitimate chance to reach the big leagues in 2018.

The jewel return in the White Sox’s trade of left-hander Jose Quintana to the Cubs last June, Jimenez is a consensus top-five prospect in baseball. He hit .312 with 19 homers, 65 RBIs and a .947 OPS in in 369 plate appearances across two levels in 2017, when he finished the season at Double-A.

“I can’t wait to get to the bigs,” Jimenez said at SoxFest last Saturday. “When the call comes, I will be ready for it. I feel I am close to getting to the big leagues. I don’t make that decision. My job is to work hard and get there that way.”

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has been impressed. And while he hasn’t set a rough timeline for when he believes Jimenez could arrive in Chicago, he knows it could be sooner than later.

“Eloy has pushed it a little bit,” Hahn said. “The one thing you don’t know for sure about a player when you trade for them is makeup. Our scouts do a really good job of that. We had really strong reports on Eloy in that area. He has surpassed those projections and then some. He has a great work ethic. Eloy has great leadership ability. He gets along so well with his teammates.

“Eloy has only 75 appearances above the Class-A level. If he spends the entire season at Double-A and performs like he did the three weeks he was there last season, that is really, really good. The good ones, however, have a way of changing your timeline on that (big league promotion). It is not going to shock me if over the summer Eloy forces our hand a bit.”

At the White Sox’s hitters’ camp in Arizona a couple weeks ago, Jimenez’s power and talent was on full display for the coaching staff.

“I can only go on BP so far,” White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson said. “I have not seen him take live at-bats in games except on video. I can tell you about his advanced mental approach. The thought process is impressive. I have watched him stay even-keel after bad plate appearances. The young man is just as impressive as a person. He is said to be able to take the good and the bad and keep moving. That is one of the traits the coaches have observed about him.”

The raw power of the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Jimenez is what stands out to so many.

“He has got some real power,” Steverson rsaid. “You can’t teach that. He has very good hands. Yeah, he has really good hands and a good base and balance. I don’t think he is just a power guy, I think everyone is more excited that he is a hitter. I just like hitters. If you can hit a home run with your usual hitting style, great. He has both tools. That is the best attribute he has now.”

A Dominican Republic native, Jimenez has also been impactful with his teammates off of the field. With a lot of work, he’s closer to mastering the English language. That was a goal from the time he signed with the Cubs at age 16. Jimenez has been compared to David Ortiz at a similar point in his development with the Twins organization, and some have attached the gregarious “Big Papi” personality to Jimenez as well.

“I have been able to meet a lot of the players in the organization last week,” Jimenez said. “They mostly have been traded here like me. They feel the same as I do. The Sox have made us all family. That is something really good for all of us.”

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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Most Technologically Advanced Cars At The 2018 Chicago Auto Show

By Mark G. McLaughlin

Technological breakthroughs seem to happen every day, and the auto industry is on the cutting edge. Many new cars not only include advanced communication and information systems, but also use video game-like technology to make driving easier. The engines that power cars, of course, is where automakers are competing most heavily on the technology front, with hybrids, plug-ins and even hydrogen cars now available and affordable to the mass market. Here are just five of the most technologically advanced cars that will be on display this February at the Chicago Auto Show.

2018 Chicago Auto Show
McCormick Place
2301 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
(630) 495-2282

Date: February 10 – 19
Time: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. every day except the last (8 p.m. on Feb. 19)
www.chicagoautoshow.com 

Kia Optima Hybrid Plug-In

The Kia Optima Hybrid Plug-In boasts 103 mpg and delivers that in a sedan that starts as low as $35,000. Kia believes that for technology to be truly advanced, it also has to be available to as many consumers as possible. The plug-in can run purely on electric for 29 miles between charges, but for short hops around town to the store or school, that could be enough for many buyers. The Optima has a lot of other very advanced technologies on board, both for safety and infotainment, and provides it all at a far more reasonable price than many other hybrids.

Toyota Mirai

The hydrogen-fueled Toyota Mirai boasts a truly impressive and revolutionary technology suite. It can go 300 miles on a full tank and its twin hydrogen tanks take less than five minutes to fill, even if dry. The Mirai manages a very respectable 150 plus HP, and its regenerative braking system even replenishes the storage battery. The car handles well, is very comfortable and comes with a host of electronic options. Although so far only available in California, the Toyota Mirai is quite literally tomorrow’s technology today.

Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

The Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is a seven-seater, all-wheel-drive SUV with an interior that would make a luxury car envious. Its 3.0 liter V6 is paired with three electric motors (two 72 HP and one 47 HP) capable of putting out over 320 horses, which is a lot for a hybrid. The seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission makes for a very smooth ride, and throttle response, steering mode and suspension feel can all be adjusted quite literally with just the push of a button.

Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevrolet Sonic “is proof that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get the latest in tech features,” or so observes U.S. News and World Report. Standard hi-tech features include a seven-touch infotainment system, a rearview camera, Apple Car Play and Android Auto. It handles very well and, despite its low price (under $16K), adds U.S. News, “it doesn’t skimp on features.” Despite being a subcompact it has been engineered by Chevy to provide more leg room and more cargo space than other cars in its class – and that alone is something of a tech breakthrough.

Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a “technological powerhouse” says U.S. News and World Report. Its unique-to-Audi “Virtual Cockpit” incorporates video game technology to replace the typical instrument panel. The standard Audi Multimedia Interface infotainment package is impressive as it is, but can be boosted with an upgrade that will blow away even the most tech-savvy drivers. Best of all, Audi has managed to make all of this unique advanced technology available at around $35,000.

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Eagles Opponent Profile: Eagles Take On Patriots Dynasty In Super Bowl

By Kevin McGuire

The Philadelphia Eagles will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI in Minnesota. When they take the field on Sunday, the Eagles will be facing just the 53 men in Patriots uniforms. But leading up to the game, they are facing the Patriots knowing they have a chance at winning the first Lombardi Trophy in Eagles’ history in a game that could begin the downfall of the NFL’s most recent dynasty.

Because this is the Super Bowl, this is not just any other opponent for the Eagles. Philadelphia is going up against a defending Super Bowl champion with arguably the NFL’s best quarterback of all time coached by arguably the best coach in NFL history. The Eagles have an opportunity to begin their own run of success while bringing the Patriots’ dynasty to a close. It is quite the David Vs. Goliath matchup.

Here is a closer look at the New England Patriots, champions of the AFC, as they look to capture their sixth Super Bowl championship to tie the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most in NFL history.

Record: 13-3 regular season, 2-0 postseason

The Patriots have won no fewer than 12 games in each of the past eight seasons, and they have a streak of 15 consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins. They truly have been the gold standard of the NFL over the course of their incredible run. This year, the Patriots took the top seed in the AFC playoffs after going 13-3 in a run that included a critical victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers to gain the edge in the AFC playoff seeding. To reach the Super Bowl, the Patriots handled Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Round and then rallied at home to top the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game.

This will be the Patriots’ third Super Bowl appearance in the last four seasons, with two wins including last year’s comeback against the Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots beat the Eagles in the 2004 season on the strength of a 10-7 advantage in the fourth quarter after the game was tied at 14-14 after three quarters. The Patriots have also won their two most recent games played in Minnesota by a combined score of 61-14 (30-7 vs. Vikings in 2014, 31-7 vs. Vikings in 2006), although the Eagles did win their last postseason game played in Minnesota with a 26-14 victory in the NFC Wild Card Round in 2009.

Patriots on Offense

When discussing the Patriots offense, the conversation starts with one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Tom Brady continues to impress at the age of 40. Stopping Brady is nearly impossible, so the Eagles will have to work hard from start to finish to make him as uncomfortable as possible for a chance to win.

Brady passed for 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns this season, with tight end Rob Gronkowski as the top target more often than not. Gronkowski has accounted for 1,084 receiving yards and eight touchdowns to lead the Patriots, although Gronkowski’s status for the Super Bowl will be highly scrutinized after being knocked out with a concussion in the AFC Championship Game. It looks like Gronkowski will be available for the Patriots, giving the Eagles defenders a big target to lock in on. Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola still present some concerns as well.

Dion Lewis will be the go-to running back for the Patriots. Lewis rushed for 896 yards and six touchdowns this season. Rex Burkhead and James White will be the other rushing options for New England. The Eagles have fared pretty well against the run this season though, so the key to the game will come with what the Eagles can do against Brady and the passing game.

Patriots on Defense

Early on in the season, the Patriots looked absolutely lost on defense. The season opened with Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs shredding the Patriots defense in a 42-27 shellacking. The early-season struggles were highlighted a couple weeks later against the Houston Texans and rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson, and then a home loss to Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers the following week. Since then, however, the Patriots defense has been solid.

New England held 10 of their final 12 opponents to fewer than 20 points. The defense showed some weaknesses in the AFC Championship Game, but managed to take care of business in the clutch as the Patriots stormed back against the Jaguars. Experience is a big factor for the Patriots defense. Adding James Harrison to the roster shortly after the Steelers released him only added to the Patriots depth on defense.

The Patriots may not be giving up too many points, but they will give up yards. At the end of the regular season, New England allowed an average of 366.0 yards per game, ranking the Patriots 29th in the NFL ahead of only the Colts, Giants, and Buccaneers. The Eagles may find success on the ground against a Patriots team ranked 20th in the NFL against the run.

Patriots Players to Watch

Rob Gronkowski, Tight End: If Gronkowski plays and is 100 percent, he is a massive threat for the Eagles. But the Eagles have managed to prevent the leading receivers from hurting them in the playoffs this season. Gronkowski will get his touches, but the Eagles must avoid letting him be the difference in the open field.

Kyle Van Noy, Linebacker: The fourth-year product out of BYU has played well this season with 5.5 sacks. The Eagles must be careful around Van Noy, because his athleticism can lead to some key plays on defense.

Outlook

There is no disputing the Eagles are up against a well-oiled machine in the Patriots. New England may have consistency with Bill Belichick and Brady, but over the years the Patriots have proven more than capable of filling out a roster of players that can win on a regular basis. They have been through this time and time again and will be well prepared to go for another Super Bowl championship.

If the Eagles are going to stand in the Patriots’ way, their defense must continue to play as well as they have this postseason. Philadelphia will need to put Nick Foles in a position to keep the offense moving methodically and sustain enough scoring drives to come away with the win. The Eagles got the game of a lifetime from Foles in the NFC Championships and should not expect that to happen again, but Foles is more than capable of leading this offense against the Patriots. This one should be a good game, and the Eagles have a real shot at cracking the Patriots’ dynasty on the biggest stage possible.

Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer and college football editor for The Comeback and host of the No 2-Minute Warning Podcast. Follow McGuire on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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