Hardware store recognized for serviceVERONA — Ace Hardware of Verona has been named a Vision 21 Platinum retailer by Ace Hardware Corp., an honor bestowed on only the brand's top-performing stores. Only 272 out of about 4,500 locally owned Ace Hardware stores achieved the honor for 2009.

Japanese hardware sales, July 12 - July 18: Cosplay editionIn honor of the recently concluded Comic-Con festivities, the Japanese Hardware Sales post has decided to indulge in a bit of cosplay, donning the vestaments of its favorite weekend-based Joystiq feature -- other than itself, of course. Unfortunately, with only the most basic of Photoshop skills and having been forbidden from infringing on the territory of the Weekly Webcomic Wrapup , this is ...

Chicago Heights mother, boyfriend slain outside homeChicago Heights police are searching for witnesses to a double homicide Monday night that left a Chicago Heights mother of four and her boyfriend dead in the parking lot of their apartment complex. Police were called to Thornwood Apartments, 19460 Glenwood Road, at 11:30 p.m after Toya Bradley, 28, and Oshay Wells, 29, were shot multiple times as they were preparing to go out for the night. It ...