Holder's Funeral Home

After an exceptionally violent weekend in Chicago that left nearly a dozen people dead, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration is among those being blamed for the outbreak.  About 70 people were hurt and 11 killed – ages 11 to 63 – over the weekend as gun violence erupted in Chicago. One teenager was shot while riding a bike; other shootings took place at a block party and funeral. Emanuel’s challengers in his campaign for re-election have blamed him for an understaffed police force and a lack of investment in Chicago’s economically downtrodden neighborhoods. In turn, Emanuel encouraged people in neighborhoods where gun violence is most prevalent to “speak up.”  The violence has also raised questions, however, about the impact of gun laws. The city does not have the toughest gun laws in the country, as some have claimed. But Illinois is ranked eighth among states with the strongest gun laws by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Read on for a look at some of the gun laws in Illinois and Chicago specifically.  Licensing To purchase a firearm in Illinois, one must obtain a Firearm Own...

Havlin PITTSBORO Robert E. “Bob” Havlin Jr., 57, passed away at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, from injuries received in a motorcycle accident in Plainfield on July 25, 2018. His wife, Wanda Harville-Havlin, 47, passed away on August 1, 2018, as a result of the same accident. Bob was born in Indianapolis on November 15, 1960, to Robert Sr. and Margaret “Peggy” (Raftery) Havlin and has lived in the Pittsboro area for the past 4 years. On June 19, 2010, Bob married his companion, Wanda Harville, who Bob lovingly crowned as “Wandaful!” Together they made their “LOVE SHACK” in Pittsboro. Bob was a graduate of Eastern Hancock High School-Class of 1979. He also graduated from Ball State University in 1983, where his fraternity brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon dubbed him as “Head Bob.” Bob became a firefighter with the Pike Township Fire Department in 1989 and retired in 2013 after 24 years of honorable service. He was a laboratory technician for Koorsen Fire and Safety for the past 4 years. Bob was a member of the Masonic Lodge and worshipped at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg. He was a loving father, husband and a very giving man. He was a Boy Scout Troop leader for his sons. Bob and Wanda loved riding their motorcycle, especially on behalf of the Miracle Charity Ride for Riley Hospital. They were both avid Indianapolis Colts fans and season ticket holders. He and Wanda were strong supporters of Benchmark Foster Care Agency. Bob was a gifted handyman and enjoyed working on special projects of any kind, making something out of nothing. Visions that Bob had were brought to life and they were unique and one of a kind, like walking sticks that he hand crafted. Bob liked working with fire extinguishers and even had his own company for a while called “Distinguished Extinguishers.” An amazing and brilliant life light has left us too soon. Survivors: Parents-Robert “Bob&...