Weekend in Review: No pensions in Palatine; why TV channels are blocked

Finalists named in Suburban Chicago’s Got Talent

Ten finalists for Suburban Chicago’s Got Talent have been named and chosen by the competition’s panel of judges and the online voting public. The next competition round is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights. Full story.

Regulation of horse races in McHenry County a divisive topic

Sunday afternoon horse races that have become beloved entertainment for spectators and a hated source of noise for neighbors are the first McHenry County events to be banned by the Planning and Development department in more than a decade. In a county more used to dressage shows than quarter horse races, officials must decide how to regulate activity that has drawn opposition from a vocal few. Full story.

Nick Salvi delights in spreading happiness

Known as a guy who puts smiles on faces, 21-year-old Nick Salvi of Wauconda embraces life and adventure. The self-proclaimed World Renowned Treasure Hunter fails to see a disability in the Angelman syndrome that gives him the ability to make other people happy. Full story.

Suburban teen heroin use focus of Naperville forum

The growing problem of heroin use among suburban teenagers will be the focus of a community forum today in Naperville. Presenters include a recovering heroin addict, a representative from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and several experts in health education and addiction recovery. Full story.

Antioch man drowns less than a block from home

A 19-year-old man drowned in Homer White Lake in Antioch Saturday night, according to the Lake County coroner’s office. Daniel Villalobos-Barajas, who lived less than a block from the lake, was pronounced dead at the scene once a rescue team pulled his body from the water at about 10:15 p.m. Full story.

New restaurants attracting new crowd to downtown Wauconda

Downtown Wauconda is going through a change as the townie bars and restaurants are giving way to a greater diversity that is attracting people from outside the village. “It’s really becoming a destination,” the owner of Bliss Wine & Gifts said. Full story.

DuPage election panel scrutinizes PR contract

Members of the revamped DuPage Board of Election Commissioners are questioning the need to keep a public relations firm hired by their predecessors. Board Chairwoman Cathy Ficker Terrill says she wants staff to justify a plan to pay $3,000 a month to the company Reverse Spin. “I’m just asking for factual information about the need and the purpose,” Terrill said, “and what it is that we get for $36,000.” Full story.

Residents hope to thwart Mount Prospect Walgreens plan

Saying their minds have not changed in the three years since they last fought a proposal for a Walgreens at the northwest corner of Elmhurst and Golf roads in Mount Prospect, residents of South I-Oka and their neighbors reiterated their opposition to village board members and staff at Saturday’s Coffee with the Council. Some two dozen residents, most from the 900 block of South I-Oka, told officials they don’t like what they know so far about a plan to put a 24-hour Walgreens with drive-through at the end of their block. Full story.

West Dundee losing patience with church

West Dundee authorities have waited months for leaders at First United Methodist Church to respond to their latest proposal, which outlines a plan to save a historically significant but crumbling parsonage on the church’s property. But because they’ve mostly gotten silence in return, patience at village hall finally has run out. Full story.

Ex-boyfriend questioned about dog found dead in oven

Authorities have labeled the 39-year-old ex-boyfriend of an Arlington Heights woman a “person of interest” in the burglary of her home after which the family’s pet dog was found dead in a convection oven. The man was questioned, but released pending further investigation, police said. Full story.

Palatine officials to forgo pensions

The pool of elected officials participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund has been shrinking as eligibility requirements continue to come under increased scrutiny. The latest officials to forgo their pension benefits are Palatine’s mayor and council members, who last month unanimously approved the move despite annual contributions costing the village just $11,400 annually. Full story.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120715/news/707159908/

World & Nation

Obama says no apology for Romney on Bain ads. Full story.

London not ready for Olympics yet. Full story.

Russian rocket launches mission to space station. Full story.

Governors delay health care questions. Full story.

Syrian conflict turns into civil war. Full story.

What’s behind the TV channel blackouts? Full story.

Penn State report shows limits of campus crime law. Full story.

Microsoft, NBC dissolve MSNBC.com join venture. Full story.

Sports

Dunn, Sale lead Sox to victory. Full story.

Cubs’ Garaza in no hurry to leave Chicago. Full story.

Cubs will expect impact players in any trade. Full story.

Bears’ Forte might decide to stand on principle. Full story.

Dealing for Mayo would be tricky for Bulls. Full story.