Longtime Cubs fan Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers, known for his “Cubs, woo!” chant at Wrigley Field, was reported missing Tuesday, according to police.
The 63-year-old was reported missing by his wife. He was last seen June 29 wearing a Cubs cap and a Cubs uniform, police spokeswoman Patrice Harper said. She said Wickers is “a habitual” missing person who “usually returns in about two weeks.”
Wickers’ wife also reported his disappearance in October 2002, the Tribune reported. Wickers was home 12 days later, saying he felt ill and spent a few days with friends in Indiana and Michigan.
In 1987 there were rumors that Wickers had been murdered after missing some early season games, according to the Tribune. He was later found working as a pizza deliveryman and explained he couldn’t attend the games because of his job.
CTA BOMB SCARE: The CTA shut down the Evanston portion of the Purple Line for about an hour Tuesday afternoon after a bomb threat, officials said. Police received a call at 3:50 p.m. that a bomb was set to detonate at 4 p.m. between the Belmont and Linden stops on the Purple Line. Transit officials shut down the line between Howard and Linden and provided shuttle buses for passengers. Service was re-established at 5:10 p.m. once it was determined there was no threat, CTA spokeswoman Anne McCarthy said.
PAY TAXES BY CREDIT CARD: Cook County taxpayers will be allowed to pay their property tax bills this fall using a credit card under a pilot program approved Tuesday by the County Board. Taxpayers will be charged a 2.2 percent user fee and will be limited to using Visa or MasterCard.
The payments will only be permitted over the Internet, but County Treasurer Maria Pappas said her office will make a computer available for taxpayers.
NO DVDs IN FRONT SEAT: Gov. Blagojevich signed legislation Tuesday that bars televisions and DVD players from the front seats of automobiles. Drivers who watch the screen when they should be watching the road will now face a $100 fine for a first offense and $200 for a second offense.
