Dawn Patrol: Crash near Wheaton; 47,000 texts in abuse case

Breaking news

The Dupage County Sheriff's Office is still investigating a fatal accident involving a pedestrian that took place on Geneva Road and Knollwood Drive at 12:15 a.m. this morning near Wheaton. Officials said a vehicle was traveling west on Geneva when it struck 49-year-old Shawn Somerville at Knollwood. Officials said Somerville was in the roadway when he was hit by the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

8th-grader could be expelled for liquor in school

A 13-year-old Glen Ellyn student could face suspension or expulsion for bringing a mixture of chocolate milk and Baileys Irish Cream to school last week. The girl, a eighth-grader at Hadley Junior High School, shared the concoction with four or five other students before school began on Dec. 9, according to Principal Chris Dransoff. Full story.

Chicago Bears' Hurd due in court on large-scale cocaine charges

Chicago Bears wide receive Sam Hurd, who was charged after authorities said he bought a kilo of cocaine from an undercover agent, is due in bond court today. According to a federal indictment, Hurd told the undercover officer at a Chicago restaurant he was interesting in buying five to 10 kilos of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana a week to deal in the Chicago area. Hurd told the agent he and a co-conspirator already distribute about four kilos of cocaine a week, the indictment said. Full story.

Lovie, Bears shocked by drug allegations against Sam Hurd

Bears players reacted in shock to the news that their teammate, who was playing in his first season with the team, has been accused of running a major drug dealing system. “Sam wasn't in meetings this morning and from there we start searching and trying to find out why a player wouldn't be here,” coach Lovie Smith said. “There was no tipoff. We didn't know it was coming, (it was a) total surprise. Full story.

Prosecutors: Ex-band teacher exchanged 47,000 texts with two students

A former West Aurora High School band teacher accused of having sex with two of his students exchanged nearly 47,000 text massages with the pair and sent one of the victims nine notes and greeting cards to her locker and home. Stephen Orland, 42, was arrested last spring and if convicted could face up to 45 years in prison. He is free on bail, but has been fired from his job. Full story.

Private caregiver stole more than $60,000 in jewelry

A 44-year-old Buffalo Grove man who worked as a caregiver at a Barrington retirement home community has been charged after police said he stole more than $60,000 in jewelry from the resident he was caring for. Dennis Ablang was also charged with possession of methamphetamine. Investigators said the defendant could face additional charges, as additional victims have been found. Full story.

Dundee Township OK's killing of 30 deer

Dundee Township board members voted to allow IDNR employees to kill 30 more white-tailed deer to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. The state agency plans on shooting 150 deer in all — twice the number it sought last year. After sharpshooters kill the deer, biologists test the brains and lymph nodes of the animals for the presence of the disease. Full story.

Carol Stream's Aldrin Community Center closing today

When the Aldrin Community Center opened in Armstrong Park in September 1970, Apollo XI astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins must have been on the minds of parks officials. Today, the center officially will close to the public, in advance of its planned demolition next year. Park district staff members have been cleaning out their offices and packing boxes all week. “Over 40 years of memories were made at the Aldrin Community Center and Collins Pool, but all good things must come to an end,” according to an announcement on the park district's website. Full story.

Des Plaines Library's bookmobile ending service this weekend

After more than 42 years of service, the Des Plaines Public Library's bookmobile will quietly fade into the pages of history this weekend. The mobile library is making its final rounds this week to area schools, parks and community centers. The service will be discontinued after Saturday without much fanfare, leaving a bittersweet feeling in the hearts of many patrons and library staff members alike. “I'm not at all happy about it,” said Tim Kohmstedt, who accompanied his 8-year-old nephew, Cole Curran, to the library during a stop earlier this week at Devonshire School in Des Plaines. Full story.

DuPage officials to eye Chicago's water records after rate hike

DuPage County officials say they will keep a close eye on Chicago records once the 25 percent rate hike for water from the city takes effect in two weeks followed by a 15 percent jump in each of the subsequent three years. The hike is meant to cover the cost of water and sewer infrastructure upgrades. “We want accountability that capital money is going to be spent for capital and that all the money will stay within the water fund,” said John Spatz, director of the DuPage Water Commission. Full story.

Arlington Heights Dist. 25 superintendent gets no raise but 5 more vacation days

The Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 board extended the contract of Superintendent Sarah Jerome for two years last night, keeping her salary at $228,655 per year but granting her request for an additional five days of vacation in lieu of a raise. That brings her vacation time to 35 days a year. “We had a goal-setting session,” said David Page, president of the board, “and went over initiations that she and her team have started. We want to see some of these things through, and she wants to see them through, too.” Full story.

Mother of son who died in Chicago fight wants special prosecutor

The mother of a 21-year-old Mount Prospect man who died seven years ago after being punched in a fight in Chicago has asked that a special prosecutor review the case. Nanci Koschman says she has not gotten many answers to questions about her son David's death and wants the matter investigated properly. The punch that killed Koaschman was thrown by the nephew of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, according to police. Full story.

Weather

Clear but cooler today with a high of only about 29 degrees when you head out this morning. Some clouds will roll in and temps will only rise to about 35 this afternoon. Full weather.

Traffic

No major accidents have been reported to be slowing things down early this morning. People should continue to avoid construction delays at Walkup Road near Route 176 in Crystal Lake. Full traffic.

Hamilton hopes to contribute postseason experience to young Bulls

Newly signed Bulls guard Richard Hamilton had three words to described his first day on the team, “Awkward. Very awkward.” Hamilton, who had been a Detroit Pistons mainstay for the past nine years hopes to be the missing piece to a Bulls title. “I think the only thing I lost was that trophy,” said Hamilton, who helped lead the 2004 Pistons to the title. “Now it's my time to try to get that thing back.” Hamilton has played in 120 career playoff games and has averaged more than 20 points per game in those matches. Full story.

Writer-pundit Christopher Hitchens dies after cancer fight

Christopher Hitchens, the author, essayist and polemicist who waged verbal and occasional physical battle on behalf of causes left and right, died last night in Houston of pneumonia, a complication of his esophageal cancer, according to a statement from Vanity Fair magazine. He was 62. “There will never be another like Christopher. A man of ferocious intellect, who was as vibrant on the page as he was at the bar,” said Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter. “Those who read him felt they knew him, and those who knew him were profoundly fortunate souls.” Full story.