Dawn Patrol: Arrest in Bartlett shooting, rain all day
Bartlett teen charged in shooting near middle school
A 17-year-old Bartlett boy has been charged in connection with a Tuesday night shooting near an elementary school and is due in bond court this morning. Deavonte Cain turned himself in to police shortly after police said he shot a 17-year-old near Bartlett middle school and fled on a bicycle. The victim was shot in the shoulder area but has since recovered and been released from the hospital. Cain was already out on bail from charges stemming from an attack on an Elgin police officer. Full story.
Plan to give contracts to small firms, minorities could cost tollway $500 million
An effort to award Illinois tollway contracts to smaller and minority-owned businesses could cost an extra $500 million on top of the $12 billion roads program. Officials blamed a new law enacted as part of reforms in the wake of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's scandal. Work that would have previously started within 30 days of the tollway board's vote now takes closer to 97 days or more, officials said. Full story.
Sean Payton still a Naperville hero
His NFL sainthood on hold for a year, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton still walks on water in his hometown Naperville. From Mayor George Pradel to former Naperville Central football players who appeared with Payton in a 2010 Kenny Chesney music video, the city is lining up behind its fallen hero. “He's such a super guy to know,” Pradel said. Full story.
Teacher who lived with student wins appeal
A Hoffman Estates High School math teacher who resigned after school officials learned that a male student lived in her apartment for a month has won an appeal against the findings of an investigation of her actions by the Department of Children and Family Services. Full story.
Lawsuit: Lake County jail mistreatment lead to inmate's death
The family of a 51-year-old Grayslake man who died from injuries suffered while being processed at Lake County jail filed a federal lawsuit yesterday against a slew of defendants including Sheriff Mark Curran, Lake County and the head of the jail. Eugene Gruber was paralyzed after being beaten in the jail in late October, according to the lawsuit, and died in early March while in rehabilitation. Full story.
Autopsy results reveal Whitney Houston had cocaine in system
Autopsy results released yesterday revealed Whitney Houston died from drowning in a hotel bathtub, but chronic cocaine use was a contributing factor along with heart disease. A coroner's office spokesman said cocaine and its byproducts were in Houston's system along with traces of marijuana, Xanax and Benadryl. Full story.
Man sentenced to 38 years for killing stepmom with hammer
A Fox River Grove man convicted of beating his stepmother to death with a hammer in February 2010 has been sentenced to 38 years in prison. Martin R. Green, 28, was convicted of murdering 52-year-old Patricia L. McNamara by striking her at least 13 times in the head in her home. Full story.
Leyden Township man, 77, missing
Police are searching for a 77-year-old Leyden Township man who has been missing since late Thursday morning. Nicholas C. Rammos was last seen at about 11 a.m. leaving his residence to walk to a grocery store. Full story.
Naperville body shop sues over yelp.com review
A Naperville auto body shop is suing an Aurora man for defamation, claiming that the man accused the shop of being a “criminal empire” or incompetent in a review on yelp.com. The author of the review was written under the username “Michael C,” and B&L Auto Body is seeking more than $50,000 in damages from the person they believe lives in Aurora. The owners of the shop are asking yelp.com to turn over the poster's identity. Full story.
Poll Vault: How much does your gas fill-up cost?
What does it cost you to fill up your car these days? Michelle Holdway drives a Saturn Ion; the little car still requires a $60 fill-up. Her husband's CR-V requires a $70 fill-up. But a deputy managing editor here has a Toyota Prius with an MPG in the 50s. Join the conversation and tell us how you're faring these days.
Weather
It will be cooler than it has been, but not as cold as it could be for early spring. It's about 60 degrees right now, and will climb to about 70 degrees this afternoon. But, a thunderstorm and rain will come and go throughout the day today, so make sure you bring an umbrella. Full story.
Traffic
Accident delays are causing problems throughout the system morning. Milwaukee and Route 41 near Waukegan is seeing delays, while Almond Road north of Casey outside Libertyville is closed due to a crash. Also, an accident is being reported at Butterfield Road near Route 53 outside Naperville. People should also be prepared to find an alternate route around McLean Blvd. in Elgin. The ramp leading from McLean to 20 is being shut down on weekdays through early June. People are asked to use Weld Road to Randall Road as a detour. Full story.
Chicago Bears sign Michael Bush to four year contract
For the third time in as many seasons, the Chicago Bears have signed a free-agent running back who they hope will be a competent complement to Matt Forte or, in a worst-case scenario, a replacement for their featured ball carrier. Former Oakland Raider Michael Bush, who rushed for a career-high 977 yards last season, agreed Thursday to terms with the Bears on a $14 million, four-year deal that includes $7 million in guaranteed money. Full story.
Fans eager to talk baseball with Daily Herald sports writers
After more than a month of spring training and with two more weeks to go before baseball makes its annual return to Chicago, there are still plenty of questions about the White Sox and Cubs. And their fans want answers. Last night in Schaumburg, about 100 fans went looking for them from the Daily Herald's baseball experts: Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles, White Sox beat writer Scot Gregor, and columnists Mike Imrem and Barry Rozner. Read or watch what they had to say.