Dawn Patrol: News you need as you walk out the door
Breaking News
Metra has announced trains on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line are being stopped near Aurora due to a disabled freight train.
Weather
It'll feel more and more like autumn this morning, with mostly cloudy skies and cool weather. Highs in the morning are only at about the mid-50 degree mark, and only rising to the mid 60s today. Bring a jacket wherever you go. Full weather.
Traffic
Things are getting crazy on the highways at 7 a.m. as multiple accidents and delayed trains are slowing things down everywhere. Oak Park Avenue is blocked at Chicago Avenue in Oak Park due to an accident, and Route 12 through Lake Zurich is blocked at Miller Road due to another crash. Details for both crashes and the number of injuries are unknown at this time. The good news is that the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Line is moving again, but trains are delayed by up to 90 minutes as Metra tries to get things back on track after a disabled freight train is out of the way. Full traffic. Metra website.
Sox win, move a game behind second place
The Sox won their second straight in Cleveland, topping the Indians by a score of 8 to 4. The win moves their record to 76 and 79, a game behind the Indioans for second place in the AL Central. Full weather.
Georgia executes Troy Davis for officer's killing
An eleventh-hour appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to block the lethal injection of Georgia inmate Troy Davis failed last night, and the man accused of killing an off-duty police officer was executed. The case drew international attention over Davis's claims of innocence. Davis' execution had been set to begin at 7 p.m., but the Supreme Court left Davis, his family and crowds of supporters waiting until after 10 p.m. Full story.
Couple turns to Facebook to name baby
A Crystal Lake couple who could not decide on a name for their daughter has turned to the world to help them out. The Meskes have started a poll on Facebook inviting people to chose a name for them from four choices: Addilyne, McKenna, Madelyn or Emily. Head to www.namemychild.info, which will redirect you to the Facebook poll. “My in-laws think it's funny. They know my personality,” Dave Meske said. “My parents think I'm crazy; they tell me, ‘You're such a goofball.'” Full story.
Speaking of Facebook, even more changes are coming
Facebook changed its home page dramatically yesterday, but it's not done yet. The world's largest online social network is expected to announce even more changes today, when it holds its annual f8 conference in San Francisco for developers who create games and other applications for its site. Full story.
Conant H.S. picked for NBC 5's Friday morning telecast
The Conant Crazies of Conant High School in Hoffman Estates will be arriving at school extra early Friday, as the school has been selected as the featured prep destination of the week for NBC 5 News Today's telecast. The NBC crew will be at the school as early as 5:30 a.m. to host their show live. Conant is playing the rival Fremd Vikings for their homecoming game Friday. Full story.
Study: 15% of suburban Cook County residents face food insecurity
A community-by-community study of Cook County's food insecurity rates shows that in suburban Cook County, more than 15 percent of people are uncertain where they will find their next meal. Full story.
More controversy over Wheaton Park
Wheaton park officials, already facing criticism over plans to build a roughly $750,000 park, had bad news for the opposition as bids came in about 26 percent over budget. The project has been sent back to committee, but village officials said the delay will not jeopardize the future of the park. Although the state would cover part of the bill, the price the bids came in at would put the district on the hook for nearly $600,000. Full story.
15 Elgin homes evacuated due to odor, cause under investigation
About 15 Elgin homes received a knock on their door at 6 a.m. yesterday from Elgin police and firefighters telling the residents they must evacuate due to a possible natural gas leak. Investigators continue to look into what the odd smell actually was inside the AT&T building near the intersection of Route 20 and South McLean Blvd., as Nicor crews said natural gas could not be detected anywhere in the area. Full story.
Hossa returns to Hawks after weeks of mourning, joy
Marian Hossa rejoined the Blackhawks on Wednesday after experiencing two of the most emotional weeks of his life. His best friend died in the Russian plane crash that killed the entire Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team from the KHL. Hossa also celebrated the birth of his first child during that time. “It was tough to deal with that. After the next couple of days my daughter was born. From death to born, it was really upside-down. It was a really tough time and at the end it was my best day of my life.” Full story.
Agent: Aramis Ramirez will file for free agency
Ninety-eight third basemen had been employed by the Cubs from the time Ron Santo was traded to the White Sox until Aramis Ramirez was traded for in 2003. Let's hope the Cubs don't take 29 more years to find a solid third baseman, as the man who has been loved at times and loathed at others has announced he will file for free agency this fall. “At this point, they will probably pick up the option, and I'm pretty sure we will decline it,” his agent said after the Cubs final home game of the year. Full story.