Dawn Patrol: Joe Walsh in Arlington Hts., top Zambrano meltdowns
Walsh makes town-hall stop in Arlington Heights
An animated and bipartisan group of residents last night debated the merits of Medicare, tax cuts and other hot-button issues with Congressman Joe Walsh during one stop on his jam-packed tour of town-hall meetings. The McHenry Tea Partyer had plenty to say, except for which GOP presidential candidate he'll endorse. Full story.
Local veterans head to White Sox camp
Four years ago, Matthew Ritenour would have been thankful to walk, much less play baseball. The former U.S. Army staff sergeant and Huntley resident, shot in the head in Afghanistan, is penciled in to be the first baseman for Team Salute Inc. at the Chicago White Sox Fantasy Camp in Glendale, Ariz.. "If you'd have told me after I got shot that I would be playing baseball today I would have told you were crazy,” he said. Full story.
District 126 strike continues, talks set to resume today
Talks are set to resume this morning as the strike in Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 continues. Nearly 300 employees, including teachers, walked picket lines yesterday after contract talks with district officials broke down Wednesday night. The far North suburban school district closed the campuses at Zion-Benton Township High School and New Tech High School, so classes and extracurricular activities have been canceled. Full story.
Ex-Wirtz employee charged with embezzling $1 million
A 48-year-old Rockford-area woman is accused of stealing more than $1 million over six years from Schaumburg-based Wirtz Beverage, a liquor wholesaler and distributor run by Chicago Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz. Linda Bessert of Winnebago was charged yesterday with felony counts of theft over $1 million and theft over $500,000. Full story.
Elk Grove man accused of assaulting girls, taking pictures
A 32-year-old Elk Grove Village man was ordered held on $250,000 bail yesterday after prosecutors accused him of sexually abusing a friend's 5- and 9-year-old daughters and taking a photo during one of the attacks. The victims were asleep in a family room of their Addison home in June when the 9-year-old awoke to the assault, authorities said. Full story.
New leader takes helm at troubled DuPage Housing Authority
David Hoicka took the helm yesterday as director of the DuPage Housing Authority and his first task is to steer the troubled agency back on track. The U.S. Inspector General's office released audits charging the agency improperly spent more than $5.8 million in federal money and failed to adequately document another $4.7 million. But Hoicka in a Q&A with the Daily Herald said the DuPage Housing Authority can be turned around and serve people well. Full story.
No nun-sense at this suburban theater showing
Several hundred nuns converged on an Oakbrook Terrace theater last night. It's no joke. The annual dinner-theater outing took place at Drury Lane, which for the last few months has been filled with “The Sound of Music.” The acclaimed production was preceded by the murmur of 560 nuns conversing during a dinner. “It's a classic. ‘The Sound of Music' is a part of our life,” said Sister Darlene of Chicago's St. Mary of Providence. Full story.
Weather
It's just going to be heaven today. It's 44 degrees right now, and the high temperatures are expected to climb to about 51 degrees by the end of the day. It'll be partly cloudy and just absolutely gorgeous for January. Enjoy it. Full weather.
Enjoying the warmth
Hike at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, or at Cuba Marsh in Barrington, or in Kane County fields. Or possibly see an owl at Volo Bog. Or just go play soccer at a suburban park. With today's temperatures approaching 50, we tell you what's still open and where you can go outside in January. Full story.
Traffic
Mostly smooth sailing this morning, with only one incident to report that could affect your morning commute. A ramp on the eastbound Elgin O'Hare Expressway is blocked at Meachem as authorities work to pull a truck out of a ditch there. No icy roads are being reported, though, system-wide because of the gorgeous weather, so it should be mostly smooth sailing throughout the day with only normal congestion to cause delays. Full traffic.
Blackhawks suffer ‘brutal, brutal loss'
Patrick Kane's rough luck continues. Despite breaking out of a slump and to score just his third goal in 21 games, his high-sticking penalty helped turn a big rally by the Blackhawks into a 5-4 loss to the Flyers on James van Riemsdyk's power-play goal with 33 seconds to play. It was the Hawks' first trip back to the building where they won the Stanley Cup in 2010. Full story.
With trade in the books, some memorable Big Z meltdowns
From the infamous “Michael Barrett game” to putting some wrestling moves on a couple of Gatorade jugs, Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles recalls some of Carlos Zambrano's most memorable meltdowns. Full story.