Daily Archive : Thursday September 20, 2012

News

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    Ryan Holder of St. Louis with his striped sensations wowed the audience Sunday at the 74th Kelly Miller Circus in Itasca.

    The Big Top fills up for circus in Itasca
    By Matt Arado
    Itasca's Washington Park hosted an iconic slice of American entertainment Sunday when the circus rolled into town. The Oklahoma-based Kelly Miller Circus, celebrating its 74th anniversary this year, pitched its tent Sunday morning and delivered two 90-minute shows during the day with death-defying acts, animal performances, clowns and more.

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    Arlington Hts. police warn of wallet thefts
    Daily Herald report
    Already this month, there have been 10 thefts of wallets at various Arlington Heights "pay first" restaurants, such as fast food outlets. Police Thursday issued a warning to people to exercise more care in their behavior.

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    George LeClaire

    Making hummingbird video no easy feat
    By George LeClaire
    Recording audio of the ruby-throated hummingbird proved to be harder than capturing photographs of the 3-inch bird in mid-flight. For six years I have photographed a hummingbird eating from flowers and feeders in our small condominium backyard in Glenview. But this year with two birds arriving in May and two more in June — all staying the whole summer — I wanted to challenge myself.

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    A female 3-inch ruby-throated hummingbird puts the brakes on approaching a non-perch feeder. The wireless tie-clip microphone was attached by Daily Herald photographer George LeClaire.

    Drought forcing hummingbirds into suburban backyard gardens
    By Melissa Silverberg
    Suburban residents may have noticed all the ruby-throated hummingbirds flitting around their backyards this summer. "The drought has caused a reduction in their natural food supply, so if they're looking for food in forest preserves and can't find it, they'll gravitate toward people's backyards, which are usually kept well-watered and full of food," said Tim Joyce, of Wild Birds Unlimited.

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    Grove Avenue School teacher Michelle Jackson celebrates with her 4th graders after receiving surprise recognition by Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears through the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program.

    Barrington teacher named “Hero in the Classroom”
    Daily Herald report
    Most of those who'll find themselves standing on the sidelines of Soldier Field on Sunday when the Chicago Bears take on the St. Louis Rams will be there because of their skills on the gridiron. For Michelle Jackson, it'll be because of her skills in the classroom. Jackson, a teacher at Grove Avenue Elementary School in Barrington, will be on the field to be recognized as a Symetra Hero in the...

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    Christopher Vaughn

    Vaughn found guilty of killing family
    Associated Press
    Jurors took less than an hour to convict an Oswego man of murder Thursday in the deaths of his wife and three school-aged kids during a road trip to a water park. Christopher Vaughn, 37, faces a maximum of life in prison.

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    Lawyers present arguments on abortion-notice law
    Associated Press
    Lawyers argued before the Illinois Supreme Court for more than an hour Thursday over an abortion notification law that's nearly two decades old but has never taken effect. The court's job is merely to determine whether the legal battle will continue. The law, adopted in 1995, requires doctors of girls 17 and younger to notify a parent 48 hours before an abortion. A girl may bypass her parents by...

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    The historic Strevell House in Pontiac.

    Pontiac home brought back to glory
    Associated Press
    A Pontiac historical landmark threatened with demolition just four years ago is now at the halfway point of a full-scale renovation. "There may be a lot of work still to go, but the progress they have made this year has been substantial," said Pontiac City Administrator Bob Karls. "It's looking better every day."

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    New U.S. census data show poverty rising in Illinois
    Associated Press
    New U.S. Census data show that poverty increased in Illinois in 2011, as the economy continued its slow recovery from recession.The new numbers from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey were released Thursday. They show an estimated 1.9 million people in the state were living below the federal poverty line last year.

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    American Airlines pilot Jeff Paschen of Kildeer, who has been on the job for 23 years, walks the picket line at O’Hare International Airport protesting working conditions and poor management practices on Thursday.

    American pilots picket at O’Hare
    By Mary Schlangenstein
    American Airlines' rift with its pilots hit home in the suburbs Thursday as pilots picketed at O'Hare International Airport. American Airlines' cancellation of 300 flights through Sunday intensified the dispute as the pilots' union rejected the carrier's assertion that increased sick calls contributed to the schedule cuts.

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    Chairman George Bell of the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals asks a question as the board discusses the Dimucci family request to rezone the 109-acre site at Rand and Old Mchenry roads from residential to commercial. The Dimuccis want the ability to build a shopping center on a portion of the property.

    Unanimous vote paves way for shopping center in Lake County
    By Russell Lissau
    The Dimucci family’s controversial land-rezoning request had no trouble clearing the Lake County zoning board of appeals Thursday night. After a few hours of discussion and review, the seven-member panel voted unanimously to recommend the 109 acres of land at Rand and Old McHenry roads near Hawthorn Woods be rezoned from residential to commercial.

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    District 214 implements social-emotional learning goal
    By Melissa Silverberg
    Northwest Suburban High School District 214 will start considering factors of social and emotional learning as part of a districtwide goal approved by the school board on Thursday. "This allows us to look at the entire student and what makes them successful," said Adam Clayton, division head for special education at Elk Grove High School.

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    Winfield trustees seek to rezone Roosevelt Road residential parcels
    By Robert Sanchez
    A voting bloc of trustees supportive of seeing commercial development directed the Winfield plan commission to begin the process of rezoning more than a dozen residential parcels along Roosevelt and Garys Mill roads at the property owners' request. "Plan commissioners repeatedly said they want to do the whole enchilada at once," Trustee Tim Allen said. "So we're giving it to them."

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    DuPage Water Commission still waiting on Chicago
    By Justin Kmitch
    Members of the DuPage Water Commission say they're a patient group. But their collective patience is wearing thin with the city of Chicago over the city's failure to respond to the group in recent weeks.

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    Lombard board remains split on who should be acting leader
    By Marie Wilson
    Three Lombard trustees walked out of a meeting in progress Thursday night, ending what they saw as fruitless discussions about who should serve as acting village president until the April election. Without the presence of Greg Gron, Keith Giagnorio and Bill Ware, the remaining three trustees were unable to continue the meeting. "The only recourse we have is to adjourn," said Trustee Laura...

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    State Sen. Linda Holmes told Kane County social service agencies she is aware funding and late payments are an ongoing concern Thursday night. But she said two years of balancing the state’s budget have Illinois lawmakers on the right track to prioritizing budgetary needs.

    Kane County candidates face social service agencies on funding
    By James Fuller
    Kane County area social service providers asked current and would-be lawmakers tough questions about the future of funding for their organizations at a forum Thursday night. They didn't get any simple answers.

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    Cops: Man pulled box cutter on Arlington Heights officer
    By Paul Biasco
    A mentally disturbed man pulled a box cutter on an Arlington Heights police officer Thursday night after the officer questioned what the man was doing outside an office building.

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    Karl Warwick

    Fox River Grove hires village administrator
    By Lenore T. Adkins
    After six months of doing without a village administrator, Fox River Grove leaders have finally brought someone aboard to fill that post. Thursday night, the village board unanimously approved the hire of Karl Warwick, now assistant village administrator in Lindenhurst, where he has worked for three years.

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    Three injured in Gurnee crash on Route 41
    By Paul Biasco
    Three people were injured, two of them seriously, in a crash on Route 41 in Gurnee Thursday morning. Police said a Waukegan woman attempted to make a U-turn while driving on 41 and caused a three-vehicle crash.

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    Andy DuRoss

    Dist. 54 honors Rafferty, names DuRoss successor
    By Eric Peterson
    Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 board members Thursday promised a bittersweet but seamless transitional year as they accepted the retirement of Superintendent Ed Rafferty next summer and chose Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Andy DuRoss to succeed him.

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    In this courtroom sketch, 18-year-old Adel Daoud of Hillside appears before Judge Arlander Keys on Monday in Chicago. Daud made an initial appearance in court on charges he sought to detonate what he believed to be a car bomb outside a Chicago bar last Friday night.

    No bail for bomb suspect
    Associated Press
    A federal judge denied bail to a West suburban man charged with trying to bomb a downtown bar, contending he was a danger to the community. The U.S. attorney's office says Adel Daoud of Hillside was indicted Thursday on charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to damage or destroy a building by means of an explosive.

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    President Barack Obama participates in a town hall hosted by Univision and Univision news anchor Maria Elena Salinas, left, at the University of Miami Thursday in Coral Gables, Fla.

    Obama suggests Romney is out of touch with America
    Associated Press
    President Barack Obama cast Mitt Romney on Thursday as an out-of-touch challenger for the White House and an advocate of education cuts that could cause teacher strikes to spread from Chicago to other cities.

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    One area of the large dining room in Aliano’s Ristorante at 90 N. Island in Batavia.

    Aliano’s reopens after health department investigation
    By Paul Biasco
    Aliano's Ristorante in downtown Batavia has reopened after a Kane County Health Department investigation failed to find a source of the salmonella that sickened six customers last week. The health department tested the Italian restaurant, its employees and its supplier, and all tests came back negative, according to health department spokesman Tom Schlueter.

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    Speaker of the House John Boehner finishes hammering a nail into a plank with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi during the First Nail Ceremony for the official launch of construction of the inaugural platform, where the president will take the oath of office in January.

    Partisan Dems, GOP can only agree defense cuts bad
    Associated Press
    The only thing a bitterly partisan Congress can agree on as it heads for the exits is that looming defense cuts will have a devastating effect on the military.No resolution emerged Thursday to avert $55 billion in cuts to a defense budget of roughly $600 billion, beginning Jan. 2.

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    Sheri Buttstadt spent 25 years fighting to make Elgin a better place. She was heavily involved in neighborhood organizations and the push to create a code department. She also loved photography and travel, combining the two hobbies in trips with her husband, Randy.

    Elgin woman spent her life fighting for the community
    By Tara García Mathewson
    The Elgin community lost a fighter when Sheryl "Sheri" Buttstadt ended her battle with cancer Monday at age 59. Buttstadt moved to Elgin in 1986 with her husband Randy and two sons at a time when the city didn't have its own code department and neighborhood groups didn't exist. She worked tirelessly to research how other cities enforced code violations and push Elgin officials to create a...

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    Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department’s inspector general, goes before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee a day after he faulted the department for disregard of public safety in “Operation Fast and Furious,” the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ program that allowed hundreds of guns to reach Mexican drug gangs, Thursday.

    Republicans, IG take Justice Dept. to task
    Associated Press
    House Republicans eagerly joined the Justice Department's inspector general in taking the agency to task Thursday for its bungled gun-trafficking probe in Arizona that allowed hundreds of weapons to reach Mexican drug rings.

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    Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com A sports bar and grill called Twin Peaks will open in March in this Wheeling building that housed Claim Jumper.

    Longing for day when sexist eatery names don’t elicit titters
    By Burt Constable
    Wheeling's new Twin Peaks joins Hooters and Tilted Kilt in a market that apparently just can't get enough sexy on the menu. But I see a day coming when no one thinks this is cute. As a father joining my wife in our quest to raise sons who don't regard women as objects, I am not loving this restaurant trend. For starters, I must point out that restaurants can't hire "girls" to serve beer.

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    The Carol Stream Public Library board is considering selling a 7.5-acre property on Kuhn Road, though the village would have the right to lease or buy the property first, according to the library’s attorney.

    Carol Stream Library studying land sale options
    By Christopher Placek
    If the Carol Stream Public Library board decides to sell its 7.5-acre property on Kuhn Road, the village would get first dibs on the land, officials said this week. Discussions to sell the site resurfaced at a meeting of the board's facilities committee earlier this month. The land at 480 N. Kuhn Road was purchased in 2003 to build a new library, but voters rejected such plans three times.

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    Afghans hold placards reading: “Our leader Mohammed” during a protest against an anti-Islam film in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday.

    Last of U.S. surge troops leave Afghanistan
    Associated Press
    AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Nearly two years after President Barack Obama ordered 33,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan to tamp down the escalating Taliban violence, the last of those surge troops have left the country, U.S. officials said Thursday.

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    Islam vs tolerance debated in Prophet film’s wake
    Associated Press
    Behind the anger over a film mocking the Prophet Muhammad, public protest is giving way to measured debate over free speech in the new Muslim world.But while many crave more openness, few if any will go so far as to say that includes the right to blaspheme.

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    Cathleen Koch

    Sentencing begins in St. Charles hotel child beating
    By Harry Hitzeman
    A sentencing hearing begins for Cathleen Koch, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to allowing and covering for her then-boyfriend, who severely beat Koch's toddler daughter in a St. Charles hotel in fall 2010.

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    The space shuttle Endeavour, carried atop NASA’s 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, passes over petrochemical facilities on the Houston Ship Channel during a flyover on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, in Houston. Endeavour stopped in Houston on its way from the Kennedy Space Center to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, where it will be placed on permanent display.

    Endeavour leaves Houston for new home in Calif.
    Associated Press
    Space shuttle Endeavour returned to its California roots Thursday after a wistful cross-country journey that paid homage to NASA workers and former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her astronaut husband.

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    Antioch mayor to seek second term
    Daily Herald report
    Antioch Mayor Larry Hanson on Thursday announced he will seek a second term. Economic conditions remain a serious concern, he said in a news release, and wants another term to continue the course of fiscal responsibility pursued during his tenure.

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    Bill’s Pizza toy collection
    Daily Herald report
    The 3rd Annual Toy Drive-Tailgate Party benefiting the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation is Sunday, Oct. 7 at Bill's Pizza & Pub, 624 South Lake St., Mundelein.

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    Nicasa official wins award
    Daily Herald report
    Nicasa Deputy Director Emperatriz Guerra has been awarded the Keith Keesy Memorial Award by the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA) at their annual conference earlier this month.

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    Cliff McIlvaine

    McIlvaine, St. Charles on collision course next week
    By Harry Hitzeman
    Cliff McIlvaine, who has had a construction project on his St. Charles home running since 1975, appears to be making progress on his home. City officails said McIlvaine hired a plumber to connect to the city water supply, but they are still concerned he's behind on other parts of his home. Meanwhile, the attorney for the city said if no progress is made in a week, the city will petition a judge...

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    Attorney general sues contractors for fraud
    By Barbara Vitello
    Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed lawsuits on Thursday against home repair companies located in Addison, Barrington and Lake in the Hills whose owners she claimed cheated homeowners out of more than $350,000.

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    Fox Valley police reports
    Dimitri T. Evans, 39, of the 1200 block of Sandhurst Lane in South Elgin, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving damage for a crash that occurred Aug. 11, police reports said. The victim of the accident identified Evans through photo lineups as the driver of a Mercury Sable that crashed into his Harley Davidson motorcycle at Randall Road and I-90, police said. The victim was...

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    Daniel Baker

    Attorneys question Baker fitness to stand trial in killing
    By Lee Filas
    Defense attorneys for murder suspect Daniel Baker tried unsuccessfully Thursday to delay the Oct. 9 start of his murder trial. Attorney Ed Gensen questioned whether Baker, 24, of Deerfield, is psychologically competent to stand trial for the murder of Marina Aksman of Vernon Hills. But Lake County Associate Judge Daniel Shanes said the trial will begin as scheduled.

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    Vista Health System officials on Thursday unveiled their latest proposal to build a hospital in Lindenhurst. If the $131 million plan progresses, it would be the first new hospital built in Lake County in nearly 40 years and the first in the northwest quadrant of the county.

    Vista again proposes new hospital for Lindenhurst
    By Russell Lissau
    Vista Health System officials on Thursday unveiled their latest proposal to build a hospital in Lindenhurst. If the $131 million plan progresses, it would be the first new hospital built in Lake County in nearly 40 years and the first in the northwest quadrant of the county.

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    Rita Crundwell

    Ex-Dixon comptroller indicted in new case
    Associated Press
    A woman accused of misappropriating more than $53 million from Dixon now faces 60 counts of felony theft. Grand jurors in Lee County on Thursday indicted 59-year-old former comptroller Rita Crundwell.

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    Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart speaks during a news conference Thursday in Chicago. In an ongoing effort by the Cook County sheriff’s office to identify the unidentified victims of John Wayne Gacy, the department was able to solve another unrelated cold missing person case.

    Gacy victim search solves unrelated cold case
    Associated Press
    The search for more victims of serial killer John Wayne Gacy has led authorities to solve an unrelated 1970s cold case of a missing person linked to central Illinois, officials announced Thursday.

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    President Barack Obama waves as he leaves the White House on Thursday for a campaign trip to Florida.

    Checks stolen from Obama campaign headquarters
    Associated Press
    Three checks for campaign services have been stolen from President Barack Obama's national campaign headquarters in Chicago. Midwest Press Secretary Ben Finkenbinder says the checks were to be sent to vendors but "made it into the wrong hands" and that the campaign notified police.

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    Veteran Chicago officer charged with bribery
    Associated Press
    An 18-year Chicago police veteran has been charged with bribery and official misconduct for soliciting $5,000 in exchange for "forgetting" a pending criminal case, authorities said.

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    Frank Scarpelli

    E. Dundee mayor seeks to remove official involved in Wal-Mart deal
    By Lenore T. Adkins
    The fallout from Wal-Mart making plans to leave East Dundee for neighboring Carpentersville is about to reach the East Dundee board room. Next month, East Dundee Village President Jerald Bartels will seek to remove Frank Scarpelli from the planning and zoning commission, which Scarpelli co-chairs. Scarpelli is also a member of the Besinger family and involved in negotiations to bring Wal-Mart to...

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    District 11 to close, offer parking for Ryder
    By Elisabeth Mistretta
    Officials in Medinah Elementary District 11 vowed more than a year ago to keep schools open as much as possible during the 39th annual Ryder Cup golf tournament next week, but they ultimately chose to cancel classes Thursday and Friday. While school is closed, District 11 is teaming up with the nearby Medinah Park District to rent out parking spaces for the tournament.

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    Three suburban men charged after drug sweep
    By Jake Griffin
    A months-long multijurisdictional investigation into drug trafficking in the region results in 11 men being charged with drug offenses, including two men from Elgin and one from Bartlett. The investigation also netted nearly 50 pounds of heroin and 11 pounds of cocaine. The men face a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

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    Daniel W. Bockenhauer

    Huntley man charged with criminal trespass, other offenses
    By Elena Ferrarin
    Daniel W. Bockehauer, 19, of Huntley, who was arrested in Lake in the Hills Wednesday after being found hiding in the bushes with a hammer, was also charged with attempted residential burglary stemming from two incidents earlier this month in Huntley, police said.

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    Local police offer child safety seat instruction
    Daily Herald report
    Barrington and Mount Prospect police are among 80 departments statewide offering child safety seat instruction this Saturday, Sept. 22. The event at the Barrington Police Department, 400 Northwest Hwy., runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; in Mount Prospect, the event in the parking lot of Saint Emily Catholic Church, 1400 E. Central Road, runs an hour longer, ending at 2 p.m.

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    Grenadiers rock marching band tournament
    Submitted by District 214
    The Elk Grove High School Marching Grenadiers won first place in Class AAA, "Best Percussion" in Class AAA, and second place overall at the Grayslake North Knights Marching Tournament on Sept. 16.

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    Northwest suburban police blotter
    By Freida Gad
    Thieves stole 17 sewer catch basins from a construction site on the 400 block of Stone Place in Wheeling between Sept. 3 and 14. Value was estimated at $2,125. Also blotter items from Des Plaines, Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights.

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    Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com Sherri Massa. left and Meghan Smylie, right, both teachers at Stratford Middle School, look over their new computers as District 93 teachers get new iPads and Macbook Air computers on Tuesday at the district office in Bloomingdale.

    District 93 teachers get Apples to start school year
    By Christopher Placek
    It's customary on the first day of school for teachers to get apples. And so it's fitting that at the onset of a major technology rollout program in Carol Stream Elementary District 93, teachers are getting the same — digital devices of the Apple variety. Sixth grade and kindergarten teachers in the district began receiving some 60 new iPads and MacBook Airs this week, officially kicking...

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    Joe Walsh republican candidate for 8th District representative.

    New SuperPAC jumps into 8th with $810,000 ad buy for Walsh
    By Kerry Lester
    A third SuperPac has jumped into the 8th District Congrssional race between Republican Congressman Joe Walsh and Democrat Tammy Duckworth. The recently formed Missouri-based group, which previously supported Missouri Republican Senate primary candidate Sarah Steeleman, Tuesday released a television ad painting an overwhelmingly positive picture of the McHenry Republican.

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    Fabiola Carrillo, 15, of Villa Park trains at the Xcellent Taekwondo Center in Dixmoor. The Willowbrook High School sophomore is the reigning national taekwondo champion in her division, and now her eyes on the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

    Villa Park teen fighting her way to 2016 Olympic Games
    By Kimberly Pohl and Elena Ferrarin
    While Fabiola Carrillo's family worked out at the gym, the 7-year-old was stuck in day care watching a taekwondo class of boys kick, punch, spin and yell at each other. Eight years after joining them, the Willowbrook High School sophomore has state and national titles under her black belt and is eyeing a spot on the 2016 Olympic team.

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    North Chicago 14-year-old charged with having cannabis during traffic stop
    By Lee Filas
    Waukegan police say they found small bags of cannabis on a 14-year-old boy during a traffic stop, and that he told them he was selling the drugs for $5 each. The unidentified juvenile from North Chicago was taken following his arrest Saturday to the Hulse Juvenile Detention Center near Vernon Hills, Waukegan Police Cmdr. Gabe Guzman said.

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    Jerry Clark

    Library trustees table resolution to censure colleague
    By Christopher Placek
    Bad blood continues to boil on the Carol Stream Public Library board in the aftermath of Ann Kennedy's firing as library director. Two trustees have called for the censure of Trustee Jim Bailey for statements they say he made at the board's Aug. 15 meeting. Trustee Jerry Clark said Bailey used an expletive toward him, and Trustee David DeRango said Bailey made an accusation that DeRango tried to...

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    Dawn Patrol: $1.3 million in gold, silver seized; Ryder prepping
    By Paul Biasco and Lee Filas
    Feds want to keep $1.3 million in gold, silver seized during DuPage County drug bust. Lake County woman turns 108. Host towns prep for Ryder Cup. Des Plaines man charged in Chicago shooting. Mount Prospect property owners upset with rezoning. Sox only 2 up now.

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    The U.S. economy is showing signs of finally bottoming out: Americans are on the move again after record numbers had stayed put, more young adults are leaving their parents’ homes to take a chance with college or the job market, once-sharp declines in births are leveling off and poverty is slowing.

    Has U.S. economy bottomed out? Census suggests yes
    Associated Press
    The U.S. economy is showing signs of finally bottoming out: Americans are on the move again after record numbers had stayed put, more young adults are leaving their parents' homes, once-sharp declines in births are leveling off and poverty is slowing. New 2011 census data being released Thursday offer glimmers of hope in an economic recovery that technically began in mid-2009.

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    Zombie participants in the Fox Valley Park District’s Zombie Invasion 5K will hide behind trees and attempt to capture flag football flags from runners striving to reach the finish line without being tracked down by the undead. The race can accommodate up to 300 participants including zombies and runners.

    Zombies promise to give racers ‘adrenaline rush’ in new Fox Valley 5K
    By Marie Wilson
    Details of the upcoming Zombie Invasion 5K Run get more and more intricate each time Fox Valley Park District staff members meet to plan the inaugural race. There will be chaser zombies and stumbler zombies; zombie infestation and decontamination zones; 14 obstacles and a party following the race at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at Blackberry Farm in Aurora. "The theme keeps growing as we have...

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    Rebecca Fernandez of Miami protests outside of the University of Miami where Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was attending a Meet the Candidates forum held by Univision, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, in Coral Gables, Fla.

    Who are Mitt Romney’s 47 percent? A breakdown
    Associated Press
    Just which 47 percent of Americans was Mitt Romney talking about? It's hard to say. He lumped together three different ways of sorting people in what he's called less-than-elegant remarks. Each of those three groups — likely Obama voters, people who get federal benefits and people who don't pay federal income taxes — contains just under half of all Americans.

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    UK soldier unexpectedly gives birth in Afghanistan
    Associated Press
    LONDON — A British soldier has given birth to a son while serving in Afghanistan at the same camp where Prince Harry is deployed and a Taliban attack last week killed two U.S. Marines. The birth in a combat zone field hospital is thought to be the first case of its type for Britain’s military.

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    Pakistani protesters clash with police over film
    Associated Press
    ISLAMABAD — Hundreds of Pakistanis angry at an anti-Islam film that denigrates the religion’s prophet clashed with police in the Pakistani capital Thursday, the most violent show of anger in a day that saw smaller demonstrations in Indonesia, Iran and Afghanistan.

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    Allies use power of purse against Syrian regime
    Associated Press
    SCHEVENINGEN, Netherlands — A coalition including the United States, the European Union and the Arab League met Thursday to plot new ways of isolating the regime of Syria’s President Bashar Assad, as a Syrian opposition leader warned that sanctions alone won’t bring the regime down.

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    Syria TV: Helicopter clipped tail of passenger jet
    Associated Press
    BEIRUT — A Syrian military helicopter clipped the tail of a Syrian passenger jet with 200 people aboard in midair Thursday, but the larger aircraft landed safely and no one aboard was hurt, Syria’s state TV said. The helicopter crashed near the capital of Damascus, though it was not clear if there were any casualties in that crash or what had led the two aircraft to touch in midair.

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    A Catholic monk stands in a doorway of the Latrun Trappist Monastery where Israeli police say vandals spray-painted anti-Christian and pro-settler graffiti and set the monastery’s door on fire, in Latrun, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel. After a series of attacks on Christian holy sites in Israel, Roman Catholic church officials recently issued a rare “declaration” calling on Israeli leaders to take action against vandalism and violence.

    Worries over violence against churches in Israel
    Associated Press
    JERUSALEM — After a series of attacks by vandals on Christian holy sites in Israel, normally tight-lipped Roman Catholic officials are beginning to speak out, publicly appealing to authorities to take a stronger stand against the violence.

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    Pawlenty resigns from Romney campaign to lobby
    Associated Press
    WASHINGTON — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is resigning as a national co-chairman of Republican Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign to lobby for the financial services industry.The Financial Services Roundtable announced Thursday that Pawlenty will become its new president and chief executive officer on November 1.

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    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks to supporters in Miami, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012.

    Romney controversy points to power of viral video
    Associated Press
    After this, politicians everywhere should surely get the message. Mitt Romney's secretly recorded remarks at a Florida fundraiser — and the uproar that has followed — reinforce a key reality of the digital media era: the power of viral video to disrupt and potentially alter a high-stakes political contest.

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    The Rev. Joseph Boules, left, prays during a mass at St. Mary and St. Verena Orthodox Coptic Church in Anaheim, Calif.

    Prophet film puts spotlight on U.S. Coptic Christians
    Associated Press
    LOS ANGELES — The anti-Islamic movie trailer inflaming the Middle East opens with Muslims ransacking a Christian medical clinic and then segues into a flashback of Muhammad’s life. “Set the place on fire! We’ll burn out these forsaken Christians!” cries one Muslim character.

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    Gov. Pat Quinn

    Ill. senator to Quinn: Drop prison closure plan
    Associated Press
    Illinois state Sen. Gary Forby is urging Gov. Pat Quinn to drop his prison-closure plans with inmate numbers at an all-time high. The Benton Democrat said Quinn should reconsider after The Associated Press reported the prison population hit a record -- 49,154 -- last weekend.

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    U.S. Marshals to sell 300 horses in online auction
    Associated Press
    The U.S Marshal's Service announced plans to sell the remainder of horses owned by a former Illinois city official charged with stealing public funds.

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    Lawyer gets probation for role in attempted fraud
    Associated Press
    A former attorney for the Illinois' Teacher Retirement System has been sentenced to two years of probation for his role in a scheme to defraud the pension fund.Steve Loren pleaded guilty to corruption charges for creating a sham contract at the direction of pension fund board member Stuart Levine.

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    Gary workers used sick days in avoiding fumes
    Associated Press
    Gary city workers who stayed home to avoid workplace paint fumes that sickened some of them used their sick days, not workers' compensation, in taking that time off.

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    Woman’s death in Sheboygan Falls investigated
    Associated Press
    Authorities are investigating the death of a woman in Sheboygan Falls. Police responded to a residence Wednesday afternoon where the victim was found.

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    Family sues Chicago company over acid death
    Associated Pres
    A lawsuit claims a worker at a Bedford Park factory died after being sprayed with a chemical solution and that the company failed to get him medical attention.

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    The Arlington Heights village board meets in village hall.

    Next Arlington Heights mayor will face balancing act
    By Melissa Silverberg
    With Arlene Mulder retiring as mayor of Arlington Heights, the village's top seat is open for the first time in two decades. What is next on the village's political landscape? "I have absolutely no idea who might throw their hat in the ring, but the residents of this community are so engaged, they'll end up picking the right person," Mulder said Wednesday.

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    Kane County raises may be fueled by property tax increase
    By James Fuller
    Kane County residents will see their property tax bills increase if county officials move forward with a wish to give raises to government employees. New property tax revenue projections released Wednesday revealed the only way for county employees, union and non-union, to get raises is for the county to increase its overall levy. Most who support the raises also support increasing the levy by...

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    Suburban districts split on impact of CTU contract on local negotiations
    By Larissa Chinwah
    The Chicago Teachers Union brokered a deal that includes double-digit raises on average and allows teachers to appeal disputed teacher evaluations, but local school districts say the results will have little to no effect on their own negotiations.

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    Daily Herald file photo Tollway construction work in the last and current decade will leave lots of work for consulting firms.

    How objective are $1 million tollway consultants?
    By Marni Pyke
    The Illilnois tollway will pay a firm $1 million to see what it can learn from its last big construction program as it embarks on a new one. But since one of the consultants was a big player in previous tollway projects, some wonder how an objective analysis is possible. The firm "will review our internal processes as we ramp up for (Move Illinois)," Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said.

Sports

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    Thursday’s girls volleyball scoreboard
    High school varsity results from Thursday's girls volleyball matches, as reported to the Daily Herald.

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    Thursday’s girls tennis scoreboard
    High school varsity results from Thursday's girls tennis meets, as reported to the Daily Herald.

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    Thursday’s girls swimming scoreboard
    High school varsity results from Thursday's girls swimming meets, as reported to the Daily Herald.

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    Thursday’s girls golf scoreboard
    High school varsity results from Thursday's girls golf meets, as reported to the Daily Herald.

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    Thursday’s girls cross country scoreboard
    High school varsity results from Thursday's girls cross country meets, as reported to the Daily Herald.

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    Thursday’s boys soccer scoreboard
    High school varsity results of Thursday's boys soccer matches, as reported to the Daily Herald.

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    Thursday’s boys golf scoreboard
    High school varsity results from Thursday's boys golf meets, as reported to the Daily Herald.

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    Thursday’s boys cross country scoreboard
    High school varsity results from Thursday's boys cross country meets, as reported to the Daily Herald.

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    Hill, Hersey block out Prospect
    By John Leusch
    With nine straight crowns, Hersey's girls volleyball team has blocked out its five Mid-Suburban East rivals from a title since 2003.On Thursday night, Huskies 6-foot senior middle blocker Erica Hill blocked Prospect with authority as Hersey stopped the host Knights 25-11, 25-16 in the Jean Walker Field House.

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    Rock Valley gets up to speed against Harper
    By Jonathan Cregier
    In conference games between ranked opponents, the team that makes the fewest errors usually wins — and that was certainly the case Thursday at the Sports and Wellness Center at Harper College. The Hawks battled Rock Valley, No. 2 in the most recent NJCAA Division III women's volleyball rankings, before the mistakes caught up with them in a 3-1 loss in North Central Community College Conference play.

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    White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper, right, talks with starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (58) Thursday during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

    White Sox miss chances, fall to Royals
    Associated Press
    The White Sox have no more games left against the Kansas City Royals, and that's a good thing for the AL Central leaders. Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez threw out Alex Rios at the plate and picked off Alexei Ramirez at third base, and the White Sox kept missing chances Thursday night in a 4-3 loss to the Royals. Chicago stayed two games ahead of Detroit, which lost in the afternoon to Oakland, with 13 games remaining.

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    Scouting Week 5in the Fox Valley
    By Jerry Fitzpatrick
    A look at Week 5 football games in the Fox Valley.

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    Grayslake Central finds strength in numbers
    Daily Herald report
    Grayslake Central’s girls volleyball team needed every player coach Jason Janczak called on Thursday night against pesky Grayslake North.The Rams responded.Junior Lexi Beckman delivered a career-high and team-best 10 kills, and junior Gabi Casper slammed 9 kills, as Grayslake Central outlasted its crosstown rival 25-19, 22-25, 25-23.The Rams improved to 16-7 and 4-2 in the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division, while the Knights fell to 5-12 and 1-4.“It was a total team effort for us,” Janczak said. “North gave us a great run. They are a solid team. I’m proud of the way everyone stepped up for us. We grew up a lot tonight, and it was great to see. Our attitude was awesome, and our energy carried us through to the end. Great win.”The Rams also received contributions from Alex Dahlstrom (5 kills, 7 aces), Anna Basten (4 kills), Meghan Brewster (84-of-84 setting, 20 assists, 2 aces), Marina Treto (14 digs) and Hannah Thomas (13 digs). Casper and Anna Strickland had 12 digs apiece.Grayslake North was led by Melanie Aikin’s 10 kills and Kelsey Klausner’s 8 kills and 12 digs. Joanna Guhl had 6 kills, and Lisa Lowry set 71 of 74 with 27 assists. Alaina Geissberger posted 4 kills and 4 blocks for the Knights, and Stefani Keilwitz notched 15 digs.“This match was amazing,” Grayslake North coach Nikki Kirchway said. “Each team fought hard, and there were many incredible rallies and plays. It makes Grayslake volleyball — both North and Central — very proud.”Joliet Catholic d. Carmel: The Corsairs were cooled off, as they dropped the East Suburban Catholic Conference match 25-23, 25-23.Caitlin Barry had 4 kills for Carmel (13-6, 2-1), while Alyssa Armada added three and 6 assists.“Tonight was a tough loss with the scores being so close,” Carmel coach David Pazely said. “We battled back and forth all night but couldn’t prevail in the end. We will regroup and be ready for our game at Libertyville on Monday.”

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    Another heart-pounding win for Grayslake Central
    Daily Herald report
    It might be time to start calling Grayslake Central’s soccer players the “Cardiac Kids.”Anthony Bentancourth’s goal gave the Rams their second straight win in overtime, 3-2 over visiting Woodstock in a Fox Valley Conference Fox Division thriller Thursday night.Joey Mudd and Phil Longenecker scored second-half tallies for Grayslake Central (6-7, 2-0), which captured its third straight victory. Rams keeper Steven Anderson made 4 saves.Grayslake North 4, Crystal Lake Central 0: Junior Jake Hensley scored back-to-back goals in the second half for the visiting Knights, whose advantage was only 1-0 at intermission.Sophomore Gavin Amburn had given Grayslake North (4-11, 1-1) the lead, with senior Sean Blashe picking up the assist. Sophomores Fernando Sanchez and Zach Kottmer assisted on Hensley’s goals before Sanchez finished the scoring after receiving a pass from freshman Chris Zamora.Grayslake North sophomore Dean Jones earned the clean sheet with 4 saves.“We played a solid game on both sides of the ball,” Knights coach Adam DeCaluwe said. “We were committed and solid defensively, and that provided a great platform to build and attack from. We were short a couple of players, but everyone stepped up and responded to that challenge with a lot of desire and character.”Carmel 1, Lakes 1: Center midfielder Evan Potter scored from 25 yards out in the 70th minute, allowing Carmel to earn the tie in the nonconference match.Corsairs coach Ray Krawzak called Potter’s goal, which landed in the far upper corner of the net, a “fantastic blast.”Lakes scored its goal early in the second half on a shot by Brian Werchek. Eagles keeper Kevin Ray made 10 saves.Carmel (5-4-2) resumes its quad today by hosting Cary-Grove.Warren 1, Round Lake 1: Warren’s Timmy Pieper and Round Lake’s Abraham Murua were the goal scorers in the North Suburban Conference crossover, which was tied 0-0 at halftime.Daniel Szczepanek assisted on Pieper’s goal. RJ Hill made 7 saves in goal for Warren (10-3-1).Round Lake keeper Jose Martinez was credited with 3 saves.Antioch 2, Lake Zurich 2: Iven Hernandez scored both goals for Antioch, and Nick Brito assisted on both in the North Suburban crossover.Stevenson 4, Vernon Hills 0: The Patriots got second-half strikes from Joseph Hugener, Max Klaber and Jun Min in the North Suburban crossover.Michael Weinstein scored in the opening half for Stevenson (9-2-1), as Toshiki Niimi earned the first of his 2 assists. Ryan Puszka and Caesar Navarro also assisted on goals, while Quentin Low (5 saves) and Chris Boutros (1 save) shared the shutout.Vernon Hills fell to 7-3-2.

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    Sammy Condon and Abbi Williamson of Naperville Central celebrate a point against Naperville North at home, Thursday.

    Experience propels Naperville C. past Naperville N.
    By Joshua Welge
    Close matches against Naperville North are nothing new to Alysia Baznik.If anything, the Naperville Central senior seems to relish them."It's a privilege to play in this match, and exciting," said Baznik, a four-year starter. "This match is always really important to us. It's our crosstown rival."The senior-laden No. 7 Redhawks showed their mettle in a close third set, pulling away to beat No. 12 Naperville North 25-21, 17-25, 25-17 on Thursday at Naperville Central.

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    Devastated Sky again misses playoffs
    By Patricia Babcock McGraw
    Even with more than enough motivation and urgency in play, the Sky could not take care of business, falling to a hot-shooting Dream team, 75-66. The salt spread in the wound is the fact that New York kept the door wide open for the Sky.

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    Batavia’s Brendan Allen heads the ball ahead of Geneva’s Phelipe (CQ) Graske in the first half on Thursday, September 20.

    Geneva handles Batavia
    By Chris Walker
    There's no denying that the Geneva boys soccer team loves playing at home. Facing their second Tri-Cities rival at home this fall, the Vikings easily handled Batavia on Thursday night in an Upstate Eight River Conference contest, 4-1.

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    West Chicago’s move leaves many questions
    By Kevin Schmit
    So now what? Now that the Metro Suburban Conference has accepted West Chicago High School's application to join its league? Now that the DuPage Valley Conference is soon to be a school short of its traditional eight-school arrangement? Now that the dominoes are about to start falling? It's a series of questions that began swirling following a Sept. 10 special meeting of the Community High School District 94 Board of Education. At that meeting the board members voted 4-3 in favor of West Chicago applying to the Metro Suburban Conference and, upon acceptance, beginning the withdrawal process from the DVC. The decision was not surprising considering the widely-known desire for West Chicago to leave the DVC. The surprise was that action finally came after many, many years of talk.

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    Rolling Meadows, Elk Grove pool their talents
    By Aaron Gabriel
    In a girls swimming meet featuring teams who share the same home pool, Rolling Meadows got the better of the action Thursday, emerging with a 105-80 victory over an Elk Grove team not quite at full strength.

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    Buffalo Grove’s Marie Georgoulis sets the ball during Thursday’s game against Rolling Meadows. Her 8-point service streak was key to the Mustangs’ victory.

    Georgoulis’ gorgeous serving lifts Rolling Meadows
    By John Leusch
    Marie Georgoulis is the setter for Buffalo Grove's girls volleyball team. She also was a set-changer on Thursday night at Rolling Meadows.With the third game tied at 8-8, the Buffalo Grove sophomore served for 8 straight points to give the Bison a commanding 16-8 lead they never relinquished in a 15-25, 25-20, 25-19 Mid-Suburban East victory.

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    St. Charles East rallies to tie Marmion
    By Craig Brueske
    When does a tie feel like a victory? If you're St. Charles East's boys soccer team, it's when you come back from a 3-1 halftime deficit against Marmion with a pair of goals in the final 9 ½ minutes of the match.

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    Maine West strikes quickly against Niles North
    By Mike Garofola
    Maine West secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Niles North on Thursday night to set itself up for a share of the Central Suburban North crown. Scoring sensation Nelson Herrera stunned the Vikings in the opening seconds of the match when he bagged his 22nd goal of the season. Then, midway through the first half, teammate Alonso Guerrero helped the home side earn 3 key points with his game-winner before a Des Plaines Park District Soccer Night crowd inside Maine West Stadium.

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    Girls volleyball/Fox Valley roundup
    Daily Herald report
    Nicole Slimko had 8 kills and Kaylie Portera added 6 as Crystal Lake South held off Jacobs 25-19, 25-21 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls volleyball action Thursday night.Nicole Jurkash added 7 digs and Lindsey Murphy had 18 assists for the Gators (13-5, 5-1). Alyssa Ehrhardt had 10 kills and 5 digs to lead Jacobs (13-5, 3-2).Harvest Christian d. Luther North: Jordan Sollars had 5 kills, 5 assists and 3 aces and Katelyn Floyd added 7 assists and 7 aces to lead Harvest to a 25-5, 25-8 Northeast Athletic Conference win. Sarah Kott (4 kills), Erica Manusos (3 kills) and Sydney Doby (5 blocks, 3 kills) also contributed for the Lions (5-0 NAC).Hampshire d. Woodstock North: Jen Dumoulin had 13 kills and 8 digs and Erin Foss added 10 kills as the Whip-Purs won 25-18, 25-20 in FVC Fox play. Julianna Gass added 9 digs for the Whip-Purs and Brittany Laffin had 20 assists.Huntley d. Woodstock: Emily Westermeyer had 11 kills and 7 digs and Erin Lyman added 5 kills, 7 digs and 3 aces to lead Huntley to a 25-11, 25-17 FVC crossover win. Hailey Vitacco (2 aces, 2 kills, 3 digs), Elish Reagan (4 aces, 5 digs) and Rachel Kisten (4 kills) also contributed for the Red Raiders (5-8).Cary-Grove d. Dundee-Crown: Alex Larsen had 8 kills and 3 blocks and Meghan Seymour added 3 aces as Cary-Grove (9-7, 3-2) rolled over Dundee-Crown (5-8, 0-5) 25-7, 25-16 in FVC Valley action.Geneva d. South Elgin: Allison Osborne had 6 kills and 4 digs and Ashley Oandasan added 5 kills and 10 digs for South Elgin (7-5-3, 1-1) in a 25-23, 25-15 Upstate Eight crossover loss. Karlee Bradley also had 8 digs for the Storm, who also got 13 assists from Corbin Kehe.

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    One national report says the White Sox will promote general manager Kenny Williams, right, to vice president of baseball operations and give the GM role to Rick Hahn, left. The move would be similar to what Jerry Reinsdorf did with the Bulls when John Paxson was promoted and Gar Forman named general manager.

    Report: Sox to promote Williams, name Hahn GM
    By Scot Gregor
    It looks like Kenny Williams will be promoted to White Sox vice president of baseball operations at the end of the season, with assistant general manager Rick Hahn becoming the GM. For now, Williams and Hahn are more concerned with the Sox making it into the playoffs.

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    Neuqua Valley celebrates a goal by Eduardo Cruz (5) during boys soccer against Metea Valley at home.

    Neuqua Valley outplays Metea Valley
    By D.J. Wanberg
    Host Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley each won a half of Thursday afternoon's Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division boys soccer game.But it was the Wildcats' performance in the first half that put them over the top in a 2-1 victory that put them at 4-0 in the UEC Valley and 7-5 overall. Neuqua has won six of its last seven games and four straight.

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    St. Charles E. forges tie for 2nd in UEC
    By Kevin McGavin
    Paige Jordan and her St. Charles East teammates paid the ultimate honor for their late fellow golfer Thursday afternoon at Pottawatomie Golf Course. The Saints' girls golf team edged city rival St. Charles North, 172-174, and handily dispatched Batavia in the schools' Upstate Eight Conference triangular in St. Charles.

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    Glenbard South battles back to tie Addison Trail
    By Chris Walker
    Glenbard South took on a huge challenge during Thursday's nonconference boys soccer match at Addison Trail. The Class 2A Raiders were not only playing a 3A school, but one that's risen in the rankings this season and considered by many as one of the better teams in the state.

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    Boys soccer/Fox Valley roundup
    Daily Herald report
    Eduardo Arellano scored a first-half goal and Dundee-Crown’s defense made it stand up for a 1-0 nonconference win over Larkin Thursday night in a nonconference battle of the top two boys soccer teams in the Fox Valley area.Christian Martinez stopped 3 shots for the Chargers (12-1), who won their 12th straight game. Aldair Dominguez had 5 saves for Larkin (10-3), which played without injured scoring leader Erik Rodriguez.“Erik couldn’t play so scoring was a little difficult without him,” said Larkin coach Ken Hall. “(The Chargers) have a corner who can put the ball in the goal.”Huntley 3, CL South 2: Niko Miholopoulos scored twice, including the game-winner in the second overtime, to lead Huntley to a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division win. Christian Ramos had Huntley’s other goal while Matt Tobolt and Troy Bittenbender scored for the Gators. Auston emery had 5 saves in goal for the Red Raiders (10-3, 1-1) and Steven Follmer made 4 stops for Crystal Lake South (9-7, 0-2).Oswego East 3, South Elgin 1: Phil Saccameno scored South Elgin’s only goal in this nonconference loss. Tyler Shipon made 11 saves and Michael Cortez added 7 for the Storm.Johnsburg 7, Hampshire 0: Andy Pederson made 21 saves in goal but it wasn’t enough as Hampshire (2-8-1, 0-1) fell in the Fox Valley Fox.Richmond-Burton 1, Burlington Central 0: Brett Rau made 6 saves and Drew McMahon added 3 but Burlington Central (9-2-2, 6-1-1) couldn’t find the back of the net in this Big Northern East loss.Elgin Academy 1, Lake Forest Academy 0: Freshman Armando Sanchez scored the only goal of the game as the Hilltoppers won in the Independent School League. Liam Phalen had 2 saves in goal for Elgin Academy (4-3-2).

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    Prospect runs down career win No. 150 for Stokes
    By Michael Eaken
    Prospect coach Mike Stokes has certainly seen his share of victories during his 22 years of coaching, and the Knights coach picked up a pretty special one Thursday night at Buffalo Grove. Senior Quentin Shaffer took first in leading Prospect to a 22-33 Mid-Suburban League East victory over Buffalo Grove at Willow Stream. The win gave Stokes his 150th dual meet victory, with 133 coming as head coach at Prospect.

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    McCoughtry, Lyttle lead Dream past sky, 75-66
    Associated Press
    Angel McCoughtry scored 21 points and Sancho Lyttle added 17 as the Atlanta Dream beat Chicago 75-66 Thursday night, eliminating the Sky from playoff contention. The Dream never trailed and won their fourth straight and seventh in the last eight.

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    Football: Scouting Week 5, Lake County
    By Joe Aguilar and Patricia Babcock McGraw
    Here's a look at Week 5 of the high school football season for teams in Lake County.

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    Scouting this weekend’s Tri-Cities football games
    A preview of Week 5 football games in the Tri-Cities

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    Rosary makes quick work of Aurora Central Catholic
    By John Lemon
    Nobody on Rosary wanted to be on the first Royals team to lose to Aurora Central Catholic in 12 years. Thanks to a balanced effort by those Royals, they won't. Marissa Prochaska put away 8 kills and Brianna Flagg and Erin Bowe both chipped in 6 in a 25-10, 25-19 victory Thursday.

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    Kofie, Larkin silence St. Edward
    By Brian Schaumburg
    Larkin's Olivia Kofie put down a kill on match point Thursday night and fired a glare at the St. Edward student section. The junior just wanted to let them know she could hear them. The kill on match point was Kofie's 10th of the match and gave the Royals a 24-26, 25-11, 25-19 nonconference girls volleyball victory over the host Green Wave.

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    Football: Week 5 previews, Northwest
    By Ryan O’Gara
    Here's a look at the Week 5 high school football matchups for the Mid-Suburban League plus Leyden, Maine West, St. Viator and Christian Liberty.

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    Addison Trail comes through against Bartlett
    By Orrin Schwarz
    Addison Trail had a goal of avenging last year's nonconference girls volleyball loss to Bartlett, so the Blazers weren't too happy to find themselves trailing the Hawks in Game 1 Thursday in Addison.

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    MSL teams refocus for divisional runs
    By Ryan O’Gara
    Favorites have emerged on both sides of the Mid-Suburban League, but it's anyone's guess as to how everything will play out as teams begin division play tonight. Palatine (3-1) began this season as the West favorite and despite not being completely healthy, has impressed. But Schaumburg is the conference's lone unbeaten team at 4-0 and Conant can compete with anyone behind Tim Manczko. Barrington (2-2) has come on strong the last two weeks and Fremd (2-2) has shown they're capable of making a run. In the East, Rolling Meadows (3-1) has been tough to stop with their high-powered offense, led by Jack Milas. But Elk Grove (2-2) isn't ready to give up their East crown just yet and Prospect's (2-2) rushing attack, fueled by Devin O'Hara, is always a threat.

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    Elgin High to celebrate Memorial’s 50th
    By Jerry Fitzpatrick
    Elgin High School and the Elgin High Booster Club invite all area veterans to take part in the 50th anniversary celebration for Memorial Field prior to the varsity football game between the Maroons and St. Charles East on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

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    The Oakland Athletics’ Seth Smith is congratulated in the dugout Thursday after scoring on an RBI double by Josh Donaldson during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers.

    Tigers' Jackson makes key fielding gaffe in 6th
    Associated Press
    Austin Jackson usually doesn't make a lot of mistakes in the field for the Detroit Tigers. He had a key miscue on Thursday against Oakland. The center fielder, who usually runs down everything that stays in the park, misplayed a line drive into a two-run triple in the pivotal sixth inning of the Tigers' 12-4 loss to the Athletics. "It kind of knuckled. I was right there. It just took a left turn on me," Jackson said.

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    Tiger Woods hits from the tee on the second hole Thursday during the first round of the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

    Woods makes an early statement at East Lake
    Associated Press
    n the one week Tiger Woods had away from golf during the FedEx Cup playoffs, Nick Faldo said he had lost his aura, Greg Norman said he was intimidated by Rory McIlroy and Johnny Miller claimed that Woods once wanted lessons from him. "Nice week, huh?" Woods said, grinning.

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    Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro beats the ball to third with a triple Thursday during the fourth inning as Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier reaches for the throw at Wrigley Field.

    Cubs get strong effort from Berken in another loss
    Associated Press
    Trying to avoid a 100-loss season and looking for any glimpse of encouragement for the future, the Cubs got a strong performance from a pitcher they just picked up on waivers. Jason Berken threw six shutout innings, allowing just two hits while facing a Cincinnati Reds lineup resting most of its regulars Thursday. The strong effort was lost, however, when reliever Manny Corpas gave up five straight singles and a two-run double in the seventh and the Reds clinched a playoff spot with a 5-3 win.

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    Clay Matthews sacks Jay Cutler during the first half of the Packers’ Week 2 victory.

    Bears’ Urlacher weighs in on Cutler situation
    By Bob LeGere
    Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher didn't pay much attention to the fallout from Jay Cutler's bumping incident with teammate J'Marcus Webb during the Packers game. He didn't think it was very newsworthy.

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    Coach George Rosner applauds and encourages Danny Orlando, who has Down syndrome, as he walks to the green to putt at Streamwood Oaks Golf Club. Danny plays for the Streamwood High School boys team.

    Streamwood's Orlando an inspiration to all
    By John Radtke
    George Rosner admits he was a bit naive, and that's saying a lot from someone who has coached high school sports for over 30 years. When Danny Orlando came out for Rosner's Streamwood boys golf team last year as a junior, it presented Rosner with a challenge like none he'd ever had in all his years coaching golf and girls basketball. Danny Orlando has Down syndrome. It's a condition that affects the cognitive ability as well as physical growth. The normal young adult with Down syndrome has an IQ of 50. But many people with Down syndrome still lead normal lives, albiet a little slower, or in Danny's case on the golf course, a little faster.

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    Corey Wootton (98) and Shea McClellin (99) of the Bears combined forces to sack Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in their game last week. After two weeks, the Bears’ defense already has 8 sacks.

    With 8 sacks, Bears D showing improvement
    By Bob LeGere
    The Bears' defensive line is sacking quarterbacks almost as frequently as the opposition is getting to quarterback Jay Cutler, which is a big improvement over last season.

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    Mark Gorogianis and Montini host Marmion in a Suburban Christian Blue game Friday night in Lombard.

    Scouting this weekend’s DuPage County football games
    Previews of the top Week 5 football games in the DuPage County coverage area

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    Why high school sports? Because there’s alway a great story
    By Marty Maciaszek
    There are some readers and others who may question the amount media coverage and attention devoted to high school sports. Is it really worthwhile to focus so much on games and events involving a bunch of teenagers? There are numerous reasons why there is nothing wrong with a lot of high school sports coverage when it is done right. There is a lot to be gained for a lot of people.

  •  
    Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, will join David Feherty for a Ryder Cup-themed edition of “Feherty Live.” The show will air on the Golf Channel on Wednesday, two days before the Ryder Cup begins at Medinah.

    Phelps to join Feherty for show ahead of Ryder Cup
    Associated Press
    Michael Phelps is getting another chance to show off his funny side. And he'll have some help from the glibbest man in golf. The most decorated Olympian ever will join David Feherty for a special Ryder Cup-themed edition of "Feherty Live" next week. The show, which will be taped in front of a live Chicago audience, will air on the Golf Channel on Wednesday, two days before the Ryder Cup begins at Medinah.

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    Cross country: Scouting the Palatine Invitational
    By Michael Eaken
    Palatine InvitationalWhere: Deer Grove East Forest Preserve, Palatine. When: Saturday. First race 9 a.m.; girls varsity race at 10:20 a.m.; boys varsity race at 10:50 a.m.Parking: Limited parking will be available at Deer Grove East. A spectator shuttle bus will be available from Palatine High School starting at 8 a.m and will offer return service after the race. Girls teams to watch (rankings by Illinois Cross Country Coaches Poll): Assumption (Kentucky), No. 3 Palatine, No. 4 Lake Park, No. 7 Prospect, No. 10 Wheaton Warrenville South, No. 12 Downers Grove North, Maine South, Barrington. Girls individuals to watch: Kaylee Flanagan, sr. ( Lake Park), Samantha Montalbano, sr. (Lake Park), Emily Leonard, jr. (Maine South), Megan Lemersal, sr. (Maine South), Brooke Wolfe, jr. (Prospect), Lauren Poplawski, sr. (Prospect), Tess Wasowicz, sr. (Palatine), Jessica Lincoln, jr. (Palatine), Sami Staples, soph. (Crystal Lake Central), Hope Schmelzle, sr. (Wheaton Warrenville South), McKenna Kiple, sr. (Wheaton Warrenville South), Gabby Hesslau, sr. (Downers Grove North), Hanna Winter, sr. (St. Viator), Meaghan Galinas, jr. (Lake Zurich), Kristi Del Prato, soph. (Libertyville), Lauren Conroy, fr. (Barrington), Kaitlyn Ko, fr. (Buffalo Grove). Outlook: Flanagan ran to a victory at Richard Spring Invitational at Detweiller Park in Peoria in a course-record time of 16:20.3, breaking the mark set by Woodstock’s Kayla Beattie (16:22) in the 2010 Class 2A race. The Lancers senior won the 2011 Palatine Invitational in 16:51, and seems to be destined for a state title. It figures that Flanagan will set the pace on Saturday, but the field is loaded with starpower, including Staples, who is the defending Class 2A champion, and Wolfe, a two-time Class 3A all-state runner. Assumption (Louisville, Kent.) is the two-time defending Class 3A Kentucky state champion and cruised to the Palatine title last season by 54 points over second place and Class 3A state runner-up Wheaton Warrenville South. Lake Park and Palatine finished in a virtual tie with 142 points, second behind No. 1 Glenbard West at the Richard Springs Invitational last week, but the Lancers were awarded second place with a sixth runner tie-breaker. The Lancers and Pirates will both be in contention for state trophies in November, and the pair will battle it out this weekend. Prospect and Wheaton South also have aspirations for state trophies; they’ll be looking to sharpen their attack against top-notch competition.Boys teams to watch (rankings by Illinois Cross Country Coaches Poll): No. 1 York, No. 5 Palatine, No. 8t Hersey, No. 11 Barrington, No. 14 New Trier, Jones College Prep, Maine South, St. Ignatius, Fremd, Lake Zurich, Crystal Lake Central, St. Xavier (Louisville, Kent.). Boys individuals to watch: Jack Keelan, sr. (St. Ignatius), Christian Zambian, sr. (Palatine), Graham Brown, soph. (Palatine), Andy Philips, jr. (Hersey), David Rodriguez, jr. (Hersey), Ryan Burgeon, sr. (Barrington), Mike Ripley, sr. (Barrington), Harry Winter, jr. (Fremd), Nick Vucovich, jr. (Fremd), Kyle Mattes, jr. (York), Alex Mimlitz, sr. (York), Chris May, sr. (York), Micah Beller, sr. (Niles North), Grant Kykaza, sr. (Beecher), Alex Baker, sr. (Crystal Lake Central), Joe Cowlin, sr. (Prairie Ridge), Nicholas Korhumel, sr. (Libertyville), Ethan Kaplan, sr. (New Trier).

  •  
    Grayslake North senior linebacker/running back David Collins has had a rough ride in his young life, but Jamie and Jay Gustafson of Lake Villa now have legal guardianship of Collins. Their support has helped him work through many difficult personal issues.

    Sports, and parents who care, are Collins’ saving grace
    By Patricia Babcock McGraw
    Grayslake North's David Collins has had a rough go, as both he and his brother were taken from their parents at a young age. Foster parents Jay and Jamie Gustafson flipped the script, though, by providing a nurturing setting for what has turned out to be one heck of a high school athlete.

  •  
    Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, right, is brought down by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks, left, Sunday during the fourth quarter. The 49ers have one of the top defenses in the league and you should think twice about starting running backs when they face them.

    Should you sit your studs when they face 49ers, Texans?
    By John Dietz
    In this week's column, John Dietz takes a look at what fantasy football owners should do when their players are taking on the Texans or 49ers. Plus, check out his Good Bets, Bad Bets and who John's darkhorse candidate is this week.

  •  
    Justin Jackson

    Football: Week 4 MVPs
    Daily Herald report
    Glenbard North junior running back Justin Jackson and Bartlett senior cornerback Nick Garcia have earned Daily Herald MVP honors for the performances in Week 4 of the high school football season.

  •  
    Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker, who managed his 3,000 game Tuesday against the Cubs, is still in a Chicago hospital under observation for an irregular heartbeat. Team officials said Baker hopes to return to Cincinnati on Friday.

    More tests ordered as Baker misses Wrigley finale
    By Rick Gano
    Reds manager Dusty Baker, hospitalized after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, was undergoing another test Thursday and could return to Cincinnati on Friday. Media representatives with the Reds reported that general manager Walt Jocketty visited Baker in the hospital Thursday morning and said Baker is feeling good but that the doctors want to monitor his progress for one more day.

  •  
    Chicago Fire goal keeper Sean Johnson, here arguing a yellow card call against the New England Revolution last month, has helped the Fire defense become one of the best units in Major League Soccer. While they've been winning close games, it has been more than two months since their last shutout.

    Fire’s defense still chasing perfection
    By Orrin Schwarz
    Judging by goals allowed, the Chicago Fire has one of the best defenses in MLS. But it isn't perfect. In fact it hasn't been perfect in a while — going more than two months without a shutout.

  •  

    Mike North video: Defending DJ Moore comment
    By Mike North
    In NewsIn his latest video, Mike North says he's fine with DJ Moore speaking up. The under-performing Jay Cutler shoudln't be the oly one to aid his mind.

  •  
    Sports bettors watch the screens in the race and sports book at Wynn Las Vegas, in this March 15, 2009 file photo taken in Las Vegas. Las Vegas casinos think this weekend’s NFL week three 2012 games will be the highest-scoring ever — and that you can thank the league’s replacement officials.

    NFL replacement officials affecting Vegas bets
    Associated Press
    Las Vegas casinos think this weekend's NFL games will be the highest-scoring ever thanks to the league's replacement officials. Oddsmakers say casinos are changing their expectations as interim referees add new variables to the game, changing its pace and the approaches taken by players and coaches.

  •  

    Sky scouting report
    It's do-or-die for the Sky. To earn its first playoff berth in its seven-year history, the Sky must win its final two games at home against Atlanta and Washington. But that's not all. The New York Liberty, a game ahead of the Sky for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, must lose its final two games as well.

  •  

    Carmel in command against ESCC foes
    Daily Herald report
    Carmel Catholic’s girls golf team shot its lowest round of the season and might have broken a school record, coach Jill Franz said.The Corsairs’ 167 at the par-35 The Meadows Golf Course in Blue Island allowed them to capture wins over Nazareth Academy (183) and Marist (183). Carmel improved its record to 5-4 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference and 9-7 for the season.Nazareth defeated Marist on a fifth-score tiebreaker.Carmel senior Taylor Smith earned medalist honors with a 40. Freshman Kayla Ryan and senior Isabella Bagshaw each shot a 41 for the Corsairs, and senior Melanie Noonan carded a 45.“The girls played outstanding today and finished the last regular-season conference match on positive note with a win that was much-needed,” Franz said. “Not only did the girls play outstanding, but they shot these scores in 40-50 mph steady winds, which is huge. They are starting to peak at the right time heading into the conference tournament and regionals, and it’s exactly what a coach wants its players to do.”Mundelein d. Libertyville: At Willow Glen, 40s from medalist Courteney Fabbri and Hannah Thompson led the Mustangs (166) to victory over the Wildcats (184).Mundelein also received 43s from Holly Gotlund and Critina Loverde.Libertyville was led again by Camilla Ou, who fired a 42.Stevenson d. Lake Forest: On a windy day at Cranes Landing, Stephanie Miller made sure the last home match of her great career was a good one.In firing a 1-under 34, Miller finished six shots ahead of teammate Nikki Marquardt (40) for medalist honors, as host Stevenson held off Lake Forest, 173-178.Emily Young and McKenna Shea led Lake Forest with 43s.

Business

  •  
    Jeff Palombo, senior vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman, pours a beer Thursday as he competes as a celebrity bartender at Stadium Sports Club for the Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce.

    Business leaders raise money working behind the bar
    By Eileen O. Daday
    It wasn't exactly "Undercover Boss," but four Rolling Meadows-area business leaders came out from behind their desks on Thursday to serve their employees. They worked as celebrity bartenders and servers at a Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce's after-hours event, held at the Stadium Sports Club. Carl LaMell, president of Clearbrook; Doug Ray, the Daily Herald's chairman, publisher and CEO; Jeff Palombo, a senior vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman; and Andrew Urda, general manager of Methode Electronics, all waited on their employees and other business guests as they raised money for chamber programming.

  •  
    Arlington Heights-based Digital Innovations LLC makes The Nest, a new device that helps keep your earbud cords from getting tangled or damaged.

    Arlington tech firm launches The Nest
    By Anna Marie Kukec
    Kukec's eBuzz column features Arlington Heights-based Digital Innovations and its latest device, The Nest, for your earbuds.

  •  
    Leslie Monahan, left, of DuPage County Bar Association, and Karina Ottolino, of Wine Sergi Insurance, chat during the 13th Annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards at Medinah Banquets in Addison Thursday.

    Risk-taking suburban entrepreneurs honored
    By Richard R. Klicki
    A total of 17 business leaders were honored Thursday evening at the Daily Herald Business Ledger's 13th annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards. Keynote speaker Roy Spencer — who used the parachute analogy in outlining traits of successful entrepreneurs — challenged the honorees to build on four qualities to make their success and their business stronger. “Tell your story. Let others know it can be done. Don’t sugarcoat anything,” Spencer said.

  •  
    Most U.S. stocks fell Thursday, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lower for the third time in four days, as data from China to Japan and Europe increased concern that a global economic slowdown is worsening.

    US stocks follow global markets lower
    Associated Press
    A batch of worrying economic figures tugged stock markets slightly lower Thursday. Measures of manufacturing and business activity in both China and Europe slumped.

  •  
    An innovative Harper College program aimed at preparing students to fill available jobs in the manufacturing sector soon will spread to community colleges across the state thanks to a $12.9 million grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor.

    Innovative Harper College manufacturing program spreading statewide
    By Kimberly Pohl
    The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $12.9 million in federal funding to expand Harper College's new Advanced Manufacturing program to schools statewide, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced today. The program will expand to 20 more community colleges, including suburban campuses.

  •  
    The Marathon gas station and the Route 64 Liquors & Food at the intersection of Routes 47 and 64 reopened for business this week in Lily Lake.

    Gas station, convenience store reopens in Lily Lake
    By Susan Klovstad
    Drivers in western Kane County have another option for fueling up. The Marathon gas station at Routes 64 and 47 in Lily Lake, closed since 2008, reopened this week. "We've only been open since Tuesday, but business is already good. We're getting good feedback," said Syed Irfan of Geneva-based Gasco, Inc., who owns the station along with his business partner, Syed Quadri.

  •  
    Hazen Sayer, an app developer, is first in line outside Apple’s Fifth Avenue store on Thursday in New York. Sayer started camping out a week ago to be one of the first to get the new iPhone 5, which will go on sale in the U.S. and eight other countries Friday.

    Apple poised to sell 10 million iPhones in record debut
    Bloomberg
    Apple Inc. is poised for a record iPhone 5 debut and may not be able to keep up with demand as customers line up from Sydney to New York to pick up the latest model of its top-selling product.

  •  
    Wal-Mart will no longer sell the Amazon.com Kindle, seen at right, the chain announced Thursday.

    Wal-Mart will stop selling Amazon.com Kindles
    Associated Press
    Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is phasing out the sale of Amazon.com's Kindle Fire tablet and Kindle e-readers, the second major retailer to stop offering the items in six months.

  •  
    DAILY HERALD J.C. Penney has tried to adjust pricing, merchandise and store design, but its efforts have turned off loyal shoppers and failed to draw new ones as it hoped.

    J.C. Penney shares plunges on short-term outlook
    Associated Press
    J.C. Penney & Co.'s stock was one of the market's biggest decliners Thursday after the department store chain told analysts that it expects its financial struggles to continue during the second half of the year.

  •  

    U.S. unemployment claims fell last week to 382,000
    Associated Press
    The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell only slightly last week to a seasonally adjusted 382,000. The level suggests hiring remains weak. The Labor Department said Thursday that applications declined by 3,000 from the previous week, which was revised up. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, rose for the fifth straight week to 377,750, the highest level in nearly three months.

  •  

    Opal Enterprises opens new showroom
    PRNewswire
    Opal Enterprises, a Naperville windows and doors company, recently celebrated its ninth anniversary by moving to a new showroom.

  •  

    UOP Technology to convert coal to petrochemicals In China
    PRNewswire
    UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, said China's Jiutai Energy (Zhungeer) Co. Ltd. has licensed Honeywell's UOP methanol-to-olefins (MTO) technology to convert methanol from coal into key plastics building blocks.

  •  

    Isham elected chairman of Baytree National bank board
    Robert T. Isham, Jr., was elected Chairman of the Board of Baytree National Bank and Trust Company, a unit of EB Financial Group, Inc.

  •  

    Allstate named a top innovative user of IT
    PRNewswire
    Allstate Insurance was named to the InformationWeek 500 list as one of the 20 most innovative users of information technology in the nation after describing to editors how "Innovation Blitzes" are helping the company generate thousands of new ideas that can make it easier, faster and more convenient for customers to do business with the company.

  •  

    Strong commercial sales drive AAR 1Q growth
    PRNewswire
    Aircraft maintenance and support provider AAR Corp. reported a strong results for the first quarter of based on gains in its commercial aircraft services and recent acquisitions.

  •  
    German airline group Deutsche Lufthansa AG says it will combine many of its European short-haul flights with its Germanwings budget carrier as part of a wider cost-reduction effort.

    Lufthansa to pool EU flights in new budget carrier
    Associated Press
    German airline group Deutsche Lufthansa AG says it will combine many of its European short-haul flights with its Germanwings budget carrier as part of a wider cost-reduction effort. The company says the new carrier will have about 90 planes and start operating in January, flying some 18 million passengers annually.

  •  

    World stocks fall on weak Japan, China indicators
    Associated Press
    World stock markets turned lower Thursday after weak Japanese trade figures and a contraction in Chinese manufacturing underlined that the global economy continues to struggle.

  •  

    U.S demanding harsh penalties for price fixers
    Associated Press
    The U.S. Department of Justice is demanding that a "remorseless" Taiwanese company pay a $1 billion fine and two former top executives each serve 10 years in prison for their roles as central figures in what prosecutors called the most serious price-fixing cartel ever prosecuted by the U.S.

  •  

    UK police arrest journalist in phone hacking probe
    Associated Press
    British police investigating the ongoing phone hacking scandal have arrested a journalist on suspicion of taking part in a conspiracy to gather data from stolen mobile phones.

  •  
    Defense Secretary Leon Panetta

    Panetta talks computer hacking issues with Chinese
    Associated Press
    Despite several years of escalating diplomacy and warnings, the U.S. is making little headway in its efforts to tamp down aggressive Chinese cyberattacks against American companies and the government. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who is wrapping up three days of meetings with military and civilian leaders, said he has brought the issue up at every session and come away with little more than agreements to talk again.

  •  

    Southern Indiana to get new phone area code
    Associated Press
    Southern Indiana's 812 area code is due to run out of telephone numbers by 2015.The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor says the telecommunications industry wants to "overlay" a new area code in the existing region instead of dividing it geographically.

  •  

    Survey points to deeper eurozone recession
    Associated Press
    A closely-watched economic indicator is suggesting that the recession in the countries that use the euro is getting worse despite recent signs of improvement over Europe's debt crisis. Financial information company Markit says Thursday its purchasing managers' index — a gauge of business activity — for the 17-country eurozone fell to 45.9 in September from 46.3 the previous month. The consensus in the markets was for a modest improvement.

  •  
    Wildberry flavored Prilosec OTC.

    Procter & Gamble adds berry flavor to Prilosec
    Associated Press
    Procter & Gamble is adding flavoring to a pill that you swallow — a first for the world's largest consumer products maker.In the biggest change to heartburn medication Prilosec since it became over-the-counter in 2003, Procter & Gamble is adding a wildberry flavor to the pill, even though it is meant to be swallowed, not chewed.

  •  

    Oil slips below $95 despite BOJ monetary easing
    Associated Press
    Oil reversed early gains and dropped below $95 a barrel on Wednesday, the third straight day of falls despite fresh moves by Japan's central bank easing monetary policy.By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark oil for October delivery was down 73 cents to $94.56 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell $1.33 to close at $95.29 on the Nymex on Tuesday.

  •  
    Hannah So demonstrates a “Verismo,” a single-serving espresso machine, at the annual Starbucks shareholders meeting.

    Starbucks rolls out ‘Verismo’ brewer for $199
    Associated Press
    Starbucks Corp. is about to turn up the heat on the single-serve coffee market, and someone might get burned. The Seattle-based company says it will start selling its new single-serve brewer online this week for $199. It plans to start selling the machine in its ubiquitous cafes next month. The arrival of the Verismo, which was announced earlier this year, comes amid intensifying competition in the rapidly growing market for single-serve brewers and the coffee pods they use.

  •  
    Major League Baseball is nearing agreements with Fox and Turner Sports on eight-year contracts through 2021, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

    AP source: MLB nears 8-year deals with Fox, Turner
    Associated Press
    Major League Baseball is nearing agreements with Fox and Turner Sports on eight-year contracts through 2021, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.Under the deals, which are likely to be announced before the postseason, Fox will retain rights to the World Series and to a league championship series every year, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity Wednesday because no announcement has been made.

  •  
    Supporters of health care reform rally in front of the Supreme Court in Washington on the final day of arguments regarding the health care law signed by President Barack Obama.

    Tax penalty to hit nearly 6 million uninsured people
    Associated Press
    Nearly 6 million Americans — significantly more than first estimated— will face a tax penalty under President Barack Obama's health overhaul for not getting insurance, congressional analysts said Wednesday. Most would be in the middle class. The new estimate amounts to an inconvenient fact for the administration, a reminder of what critics see as broken promises.

  •  
    Bags of Doritos corn chips at a kiosk, in New York. Doritos is upping the prize for its annual ìCrash the Super Bowlî contest, the Frito Lay snack chip brandís seventh annual contest allows viewer to submit their own Doritos commercials and fans to vote on their favorites to appear during the big game.

    Doritos Super Bowl contest teams with Michael Bay
    Associated Press
    Doritos is upping the prize for its annual "Crash the Super Bowl" contest, bringing in Michael Bay, a big name movie director who is no stranger to crashes himself. The Frito Lay snack chip brand's seventh annual contest allows viewers to submit their own Doritos commercials. Fans vote on their favorites to appear during the big game.

  •  

    Local hospitals oppose proposed surgical competitor
    By Melissa Silverberg
    A surgeon at Northwest Community Hospital wants to open a nearly $4 million outpatient center four miles from the main hospital in Arlington Heights. Northwest Community Healthcare and Presence Health have officially objected to the state review board.

Life & Entertainment

  •  
    Police officers Mike Zavala (Chicago's Michael Pena), left, and Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) go about protecting Los Angeles in the found footage production of “End of Watch.”

    Raw, realistic cop tale 'End of Watch' worth a look
    By Dann Gire
    "End of Watch" eschews Hollywood conventions by focusing on the everyday events in cops' lives, the banter between two partners plus the sense of community that they enjoy with fellow officers, a blue bond that transcends race, color and religion. We hang with these guys and get to really know them, as if we're part of a police ride-along program that forgot to drop us back at the station.

  •  
    Grammy Award-winning pianist George Winston has canceled his Dec. 21 concert at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan due to medical reasons.

    George Winston concert canceled
    Daily Herald staff report
    Due to medical reasons, Grammy Award-winning pianist George Winston has canceled his Friday, Dec. 21, appearance at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.

  •  

    Night life events: Glenview House’s Oktoberfest is here!
    By Sara Hooker
    Celebrate all things Germanic at an Oktoberfest tent party from 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Glenview House. Grab a Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier and Hofbräu Hefe Weizen for $10 per liter or $5 per half liter. Sample Bavarian specialties including brats, pretzels and Wiener schnitzels. Enjoy performances by the Die Musikmeisters from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.

  •  
    The Sundance Institute announced Thursday that movie critic Roger Ebert will be the recipient of the Vanguard Leadership Award in recognition of his advocacy of independent film.

    Sundance to honor film critic Roger Ebert
    Associated Press
    Critic Roger Ebert is receiving an award from Robert Redford's Sundance Institute for his support of independent cinema. Sundance leaders said Thursday that Ebert will receive their Vanguard Leadership Award at a benefit for the institute June 5 in Los Angeles.

  •  

    Did home inspector blow the fuse?
    By Barry Stone
    Q. Our buyers hired a home inspector.Our HVAC contractor found a blown fuse in the condenser, and he said the inspector might not have followed "standard power cycle procedures."

  •  

    Here are some ways to prep your house in case of health issues
    By Al and Kelly Carrell
    Being prepared for health issues like broken legs and old age is a smart thing for a homeowner to do. Simple additions like grab bars and hand rails are easy enough. Here are some upgrades to consider when making your home ready for this part of life.

  •  
    First lady Michelle Obama speaks Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. The Obamas will make their first joint appearance on the daytime show “The View” next week.

    Obamas to make first joint appearance on ‘The View’
    Associated Press
    President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, will make their first joint appearance on the daytime show "The View" next week.

  •  

    Music notes: Kansas makes its way to the Arcada
    By Matt Arado
    Kansas, which combined classic guitar rock with some progressive-rock touches like strings and keyboards, scored huge arena-rock hits with songs like “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind.” The 2012 version of the group, which features several original members, hits the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on Friday.

  •  

    Roberts thanks viewers on day of marrow transplant
    Associated Press
    Robin Roberts has thanked her viewers for their support as she faces a bone marrow transplant. The "Good Morning America" co-anchor sent a video message taped from her New York hospital bed for airing on the program Thursday, which is the day she's set to have the transplant.

  •  
    Justin Timberlake, at the premiere of “Trouble With the Curve” Wednesday, has focused more on his movie career than his music in recent years.

    Justin Timberlake: I’m not able to rush out albums
    Associated Press
    He brought "SexyBack," but don't quite wait for Justin Timberlake to bring his music back — just yet. The singing superstar said his music-making process is fueled by life's experiences and making an album "is a really big deal." "For me, personally, when I do sit down and decide to do it, it's just a special thing," he said in an interview Wednesday night.

  •  
    President Barack Obama talks with David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show With David Letterman” Tuesday in New York.

    Letterman: I don’t hate Romney for Leno appearance
    Associated Press
    David Letterman is reassuring Mitt Romney that he doesn't hate him — and getting in a dig at Jay Leno in the process. The Republican presidential candidate said in a private speech to donors made public this week that Letterman "hates me because I've been on Leno more than him."

  •  
    Court records show Ben Vereen filed for divorce from his wife of 36 years, Nancy Bruner Vereen, on Sept. 13.

    Ben Vereen files for divorce from wife of 36 years
    Associated Press
    Tony Award-winning actor Ben Vereen has filed for divorce from his wife of 36 years. Court records in Los Angeles show Vereen filed the petition on Thursday, citing irreconcilable differences.

  •  
    Shakira announced Wednesday that she is pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Gerard Pique, who is a soccer player for FC Barcelona.

    Shakira pregnant with first child
    Associated Press
    Shakira is pregnant with her first child. The 35-year-old pop superstar posted on her website Wednesday that she and 25-year-old boyfriend Gerard Pique "are very happy awaiting the arrival of our first baby." Pique, who is from Barcelona, is a soccer player for FC Barcelona.

  •  
    "10 Years" stars Channing Tatum as Jake, who meets up with his old flame (Rosario Dawson) a decade after leaving high school.

    Reunion tale more bittersweet than comic
    By John DeFore
    A high-school reunion story that spreads attention among its high-profile cast members more evenly than the average film of this sort, Jamie Linden's "10 Years" is dedicated to the urge to believe that a single get-together can afford closure on everything from prom night disappointments to misguided life choices. More bittersweet than funny but not a downer overall, the pic has reasonable prospects with young viewers who haven't seen many of its thematic ancestors.

  •  
    It takes a 19-year-old would-be actor to lure thirty-something Amy (Melanie Lynskey) out of the depths of her divorce despair in “Hello I Must Be Going.”

    ‘Hello I Must Be Going’ too restrained to feel real
    By Dann Gire
    Dann reviews two artsy movies "Liberal Arts" (with DeKalb native Richard Jenkins) and "Hello I Must Be Going" (with Melanie Lynskey), plus whips up a lot of Reel Life film notes, and salutes the hardcore Daily Herald readers who managed to find most of the 22 Clint Eastwood movie titles not-so-subtlely embedded in Robert Lorenz's profile in our "From Suburbs to Showbiz" column on Tuesday.

  •  
    Mickey (Amy Adams) puts her legal career on hold to help her aging baseball scout father (Clint Eastwood) keep his job in Robert Lorenz's "Trouble With the Curve."

    Fremd grad’s directorial debut a no-frills piece of baseball storytelling
    By Dann Gire
    "Trouble With the Curve" is a solid, conservative piece of filmmaking elevated by the sparky chemistry between Amy Adams' tough corporate attorney and Clint Eastwood's aging Atlanta Braves baseball scout, a crusty curmudgeon doing the best he can to give his daughter more than life's "cheap seats." It's also a rebuttal to "Moneyball," a sports drama emphasizing computers over human scouts.

  •  
    A former Navy man (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes entangled with an enigmatic leader (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of a cult called the Cause in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master.”

    ‘Master’ views a cult from a leader’s perspective
    By Christy Lemire
    Viewers hoping for a juicy expose of the Church of Scientology in "The Master" might want to adjust their expectations just a tad. Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson has acknowledged that the cult leader of the film's title — played with great bluster and bravado by Philip Seymour Hoffman — was inspired by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Yet, the church — or rather, "The Cause," as it's known here — emerges relatively unscathed.

  •  
    Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) kicks down a door with help from his psychic assistant (Olivia Thirlby) in the science-fiction action thriller "Dredd 3-D."

    ‘Dredd’ a fast-paced work of sci-fi violence
    By Dann Gire
    "Dredd 3-D" has a lot to offer fans of action movies. Director Pete Travis and screenwriter Alex Garland wisely refused to water down the full-throttle, fascistic elements of the Dredd comic books for the sake of a market-friendly PG-13 rating. It earns a hard-R rating with scenes of such graphic violence (often displayed in 3-D slow motion) that it would have earned an X-rating years ago.

  •  
    Alt-J’s “An Awesome Wave”

    British quartet Alt-J rides ‘Wave’ to U.S.
    Associated Press
    Alt-J defies genres. Often categorized as trip-hop by those who want to pigeonhole, the band prefers not to be labeled at all. The indie quartet's debut album, "An Awesome Wave," is out now in the U.S. after having delighted listeners in its native England and earned the band a place on the prestigious Mercury Prize shortlist.

  •  
    DMX’s “Undisputed”

    DMX’s new album has more misses than hits
    Associated Press
    It's been awhile since DMX made headlines in terms of music. "Undisputed," his first album of new material since 2006, likely won't change that. The rapper lacks the magic found on his previous efforts. His seventh release offers more misses than hits, and it seems as if the 41-year-old is past his prime.

  •  
    Chicago native Michael Madsen is in the area this weekend to screen three of his films in Naperville and Woodridge, and to accept an award Saturday at the Naperville Independent Film Festival. For details, visit atriptothemovies.com.

    Chicago native Michael Madsen: ‘I am Batman’
    By Josh Stockinger
    Michael Madsen isn't afraid to touch a stranger's hair or get emotional while wearing a pair of red snakeskin boots. And if Hollywood folks had any sense, the gruff-talking actor says he would've given Christian Bale a run for his money by now. "Let's face it, man, I am (expletive) Batman," Madsen told the Daily Herald in a wide-ranging sit-down interview. "Come on. Can you imagine?"

Discuss

  •  

    Little protection from robocall scams
    The Daily Herald Editorial Board
    Enforcement agencies need to find a way to get tougher against illegal robocall scam artists, whose convincing over-the-phone pitches cost some people thousands of dollars, a Daily Herald editorial says.

  •  

    The broad view on young people’s disdain for news
    By Jim Slusher
    Columnist Jim Slusher: To us in print journalism, it's hard enough to hear that young people don't think newspapers are important. But there's something more ominous on the horizon that extends beyond our own parochial professional fears

  •  

    Cyborg Mitt
    By Kathleen Parker
    Columnist Kathleen Parker: A person running for president should keep his thinking cap more tightly affixed even when among his own kind, millionaires in Romney's case. And he should make sure his facts are right.

  •  

    With GOP, get used to your parents
    A Gurnee letter to the editor: For all you 30- and 40-somethings who love Paul Ryan and intend to vote Republican in November, you had better love your parents enough to have them living in your house for the rest of their lives.

  •  

    Stevenson offers great education
    A Buffalo Grove letter to the editor: Recently, my wife and I vicariously became our freshman daughter at Stevenson High School. What an adventurous and educational orientation,

  •  

    Regulation has kept banks in check
    A Prospect Heights letter to the editor: Has the public forgotten that under less government regulation during the Reagan/Bush years the savings and loans went belly up and cost the taxpayers $500 billion?

  •  

    Romney’s tax forms just a diversion
    A Mount Prospect letter to the editor: Mr. President, the American people are on to you and they don't care about Mr. Romney's tax returns. Tell us what you are going to do to keep American cities from filing bankruptcy, to stop foreclosures and to help the unemployed get a job.

  •  

    3 years not enough time to fix economy
    A Schaumburg letter to the editor: It's as though the Republicans want to blame the firefighter for the burned out building and put the arsonist back in charge. I think we should be thanking the president for all that he's done.

  •  

    11th candidates more to my taste
    A North Aurora letter to the editor: The choices for Congress in the 10th District are both moderates and this is more in line with where this independent voter stands. No matter if Biggert or Foster wins, the result will be a WIN-WIN for me.

  •  

    A pretty sad wish list
    An Elgin letter to the editor: As a citizen of the United States, here are the things I want.

  •  

    McIlvaine’s home a blight on St. Charles
    A St. Charles letter to the editor: The first year we lived in St. Charles we were perplexed to see a home on Prairie Avenue resembling a very large half-finished bomb shelter. Much of it was covered by a tarp draped over sloppily applied polyurethane foam on the roof. We felt certain a class city like St. Charles would not allow this neighborhood blight to exist in that condition much longer. Sadly, that was in 1985.

  •  

    Here’s some ‘fairness’ for you
    A Wood Dale letter to the editor: Fairness. That's the word that has been getting kicked about in the Chicago Teachers Union/Chicago Public Schools negotiations. The union wants a "fair contract," the schools are "unfair." Let's see, the union hierarchy is paid by union dues. The union dues are paid by the teachers. The teachers are paid by taxes and we, the taxpayers, foot the bill. How about some "fairness" for us?

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    Why we all should quit our jobs
    A West Chicago letter to the editor: In August, just 96,000 jobs were created, and since four times that number of people gave up looking for work, the jobless rate actually went down to 8.1 percent, which got me thinking. Let us all pitch in, and help Pres. Obama get re-elected.

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