White Sox complete sweep of Marlins

CHICAGO | From the infield to the outfield, the White Sox are playing much better defense than they did during their listless start. And it's no coincidence that the wins are coming in bunches now.

Blackhawks try to stay sharp during playoff break

CHICAGO | Practice was long over when Joel Quenneville was stopped by two young boys waiting to get on the ice. They asked if he would sign their sticks, and the former NHL defenseman happily obliged.

Hawks take no comfort in series lead over Wild

CHICAGO | As they rubbed sleep out of their eyes Wednesday, 11 hours after their 2 a.m. arrival from the Twin Cities, the Blackhawks acknowledged the necessity of a much better performance against the Minnesota Wild.

Hebron OKs ordinance restricting funeral protesters

HEBRON | A proposed ordinance dealing with protests at funerals drew a brief protest before it was approved Tuesday by the Hebron Town Council.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Mel doing quite well at Texas A&M

Whiting’s Mel Dumezich has done just about everything during a brilliant prep and college career. The Texas A&M senior recently added another special honor to her loaded awards collection.

PACKERS VIKINGS

Green Bay's Donald Driver dives into the endzone past Minnesota's #25, Eric Kelly for a 31-yard touchdown run in the 2nd quarter. The Green Bay Packers hosted the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field Sunday December 30, 2001. WSJ/Steve Apps.

PACKERS VIKINGS

Green bay's Donald Driver jumps over Minnesota's Robert Tate on his way to a 31-yard touchdown run in the 2nd quarter. The Green Bay Packers Hosted the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field Sunday December 30, 2001. WSJ/Steve Apps.

Packers Viking 15.jpg

Green Bay's Donald Driver hauls in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre in the 2nd quarter. The Green Bay Packers traveled to Minnesota and the Metro Dome to play the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 23, 2005. The Packers lost 23-20 on a last second 56-yard field goal. Steve Apps-State …

New winter sports to experience on snowy terrain

Until this winter, I'd never heard of bumper cars on a skating rink. And it wasn't until recently that I had my first chance to carve turns down a ski hill on a snowbike.

JOHN DOHERTY: Before hitting new year, peruse biggest comebacks of 2012

Who shall it be now?

A year later, some like Christmas NBA start better

NEW YORK | Doc Rivers left home for the holiday, lost the game, and loved every minute of it.

Rangers add C Pierzynski, say he will be starter

ARLINGTON, Texas | A.J. Pierzynski can joke with Texas manager Ron Washington about last season's All-Star snub now that he's the starting catcher for the Rangers.

Daniels, Pence not leading charge for marriage amendment

INDIANAPOLIS | With Hoosiers increasingly saying no, the state's current and future governors are treading carefully as to whether Indiana should add its existing ban on gay marriage to the state constitution.

Race Card Project creates new type of conversation

She asked for just six words.

Briggs joins Marshall in unloading on Packers

LAKE FOREST | The NFL's oldest rivals are spicing up their Sunday showdown with some serious trash talk.

Growing animal rescue group is work of teen actor

The person behind one of the country's fastest-growing animal rescues can't even vote yet. And neither can most of the people leading its 10 chapters across the nation.

NFL INSIDER: Bears in do-or-die territory

It's the time of year when the men are separated from the boys in the NFL.

As Great Lakes plummet, towns try to save harbors

ONEKAMA, Mich. (AP) — For more than a century, easy access to Lake Michigan has made Onekama a popular place for summer visitors and a refuge for boaters fleeing dangerous storms. Now the community itself needs a rescue, from slumping lake levels that threaten its precious link to open water.

Purdue holds on over Illinois

CHAMPAIGN | Ralph Bolden and his Purdue teammates have been through a lot, but they're one win from bowl eligibility following a 20-17 victory at Illinois Saturday.