Harlen Hayes is fighting for his life tonight, after he was doused with gasoline and set on fire.

The 77-year-old landlord of a South Side apartment building, Hayes is a Korean War vet and retired postal worker. He's is in critical condition with burns to about 90 percent of his body. Police are looking for a 28-year-old man who was a former tenant. Neighbors say the man was evicted after a drug bust.

This story made me sad, angry - but also thankful that my parents are no longer in the business of being landlords.

Michael Phelps keeps finding gold at the Beijing Olympics.

The American swimmer has claimed five gold medals at the summer games so far, and he still has three more events to go.

I think his achievements in the pool are awesome and incredible.
But I also think more attention should be paid to the accomplishments of all the other talented athletes - especially those who don't win medals.

In 1996, my oldest brother, Derrick, competed in the summer games in Atlanta.
He was a Greco-Roman wrestler and 37 years old.

I need to learn how to swim.

In the past few days, two young people have been found dead in swimming pools - one in Morgan Park - the other in Evergreen Park.
I cringed when I saw these stories - because they made me remember my near-death experience in the water.

I need to learn how to swim.

In the past few days, two young people have been found dead in swimming pools - one in Morgan Park - the other in Evergreen Park.
I cringed when I saw these stories - because they made me remember my near-death experience in the water.

I have covered a lot of crime stories in my news career. But the one I covered this morning has made my heart hurt like it never has before.

Nine-year-old Mya Lyons was found as stabbed to death - and possibly sexually assaulted - early this morning in alley near her father's South Side home. Mya's father says the little girl was put to bed, but she somehow got out of the house. He told authorities that he later found her unresponsive in an alley and brought her to Jackson Park Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

I'm jumping on the blogging bandwagon. Should be fun.