2 die from fire injuries
Six days after flames spread through their South Side home, Ralph and Vivian Griffin died Saturday of injuries from the fire, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. The blaze began about 7:15 p.m. Dec. 23 at the two-story home on East 89th Street. Ralph Griffin, 88, was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Stroger Hospital. Less than two hours later, Vivian Griffin, 86, died of smoke inhalation, a medical examiner’s report shows.
Woman, 52, fatally beaten
A woman was fatally beaten during a break-in at her home on the Far South Side late Saturday, police said. Robin Sims, 52, was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. Sunday, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Sims suffered head injuries from blunt trauma, Chicago Police Officer John Mirabelli said. Officers found evidence of forced entry into the home, police reports show. Mirabelli said Calumet area police are investigating but haven’t determined the exact motive yet.
1 cent CTA rides, card fee back
Starting at 8 p.m. Monday and ending 6 a.m. Tuesday, one-way rides on any CTA bus or train will cost 1 cent. Some service will be extended for the holiday. Visit transitchicago.com for specific information. Also, Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus users hoping to avoid paying a $5 fee need to register their cards before the new year. First-time users who register new cards before Jan. 1 can avoid the fee.
