Dawn Patrol: Dispatcher trouble, shooting arrest
Breaking news
14 people are dead and 50 were injured in a shooting at a midnight showing of Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado. 10 were killed in the theater, and another 5 died at the hospital. One person is in custody. Full story.
Suburban dispatchers OK vote of “no confidence” in management
A glitch that caused a 14-minute delayed response to a potential heart attack victim in Palatine earlier this month was the “straw that broke the camel’s back,” leading members of the Northwest Central Dispatch System dispatchers union to a vote of “no confidence” in the agency’s management. Members say there have been ongoing problems with a new software system since it went live April 24. Full story.
Homeless man charged with shooting Des Plaines teen
A homeless man is being held on $250,000 after police say he shot a Des Plaines teen in the temple during an altercation earlier this week. Alan J. Frank is accused of shooting the 19-year-old in a parking lot on the 2200 block of South Elmhurst Road in Mount Prospect at about 12:30 a.m. Monday. The victim is being treated for nonlife-threatening injuries, police said. Full story.
More than 1,000 remain without power in western suburbs
More than 2,190 ComEd customers remained without power more than 24 hours after a storm blew through the region Wednesday night, but a ComEd spokesman said the company expects the majority of those to be back up today. As of 9:30 p.m. last night, 1,050 customers in the western suburbs — the hardest hit area — remained without power. Full story.
Drownings rise with heat
Along with soaring temperatures and rising humidity, the ongoing heat wave has contributed to a spike in drowning deaths in some suburban areas, authorities say. “This oppressive heat ... has drawn more people to the water,” Lake County Coroner Artis Yancey said. “A few (of the drownings) had alcohol as a factor, and that’s one thing we’d recommend or warn against.” Full story.
St. Charles youth center speaks out against Quinn’s closings
A leader from the Illinois Youth Center St. Charles says that Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision to close a similar facility in Joliet could be dangerous for offenders at the St. Charles facility. The Joliet youth center, set to close this year, houses more violent offenders, and some young people waiting to be tried as adults. Those teens would be moved to St. Charles, where some youths have already moved in anticipation of the closure. Full story.
Bartlett bank robbed for second time in two months
Bartlett police are increasing their presence around a Jewel-Osco, where a TCF Bank inside was robbed twice in the past two months. A suspect robbed the bank, located at 125 E. Stearns Road, at about 5 p.m., by passing the teller a note and implying he had a weapon on him, police said. He is not believed to be involved in an earlier robbery of the branch on June 6. Full story.
Cops stopped man from swallowing bag of heroin in interview room
Lake County sheriff’s deputies rushed into an interview room to stop a 22-year-old Zion man from swallowing a bag of heroin late last week. Police said the man had been arrested after being found with drug paraphernalia and while detectives were observing him, they saw him reach down his pants and pull out the bag. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy morning turning sunny with a high of about 82 degrees today. Temperatures will only be about 71 degrees as you head out the door this morning, then dip back to about 69 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Nothing major to report early Friday on the main roads and tollways. But, Roberts Road is closed just north of Darrell Road in Lakemoor due to an investigation of an earlier accident. Also, Rollins Road is closed at Route 83 due to railroad crossing repairs. People should find alternate routes around those areas. Full story.
Cubs win again
Paul Maholm has become the Cubs winningest pitcher after beating the Marlins by a final score of 4-2 Thursday. Maholm raises his record to 8-6 with a 4.09 ERA, and the Cubs have won 14 of their last 19 games. Full story.
Detroit Tigers making run at 1st place
Although the White Sox remain in first place in the AL Central, that lead is slowly slipping and is now down to 1½ games as the Detroit Tigers catch fire. The Tigers have won 10 of their past 12 games, beating the Angels 5-1 yesterday as the White Sox lost 3-1 in the final game of their series in Boston. “No offense to the Cleveland Indians, they have played really good baseball,” White Sox starter Jake Peavy said right before the all-star break. “But you have the Detroit Tigers, and that is a talented ballclub.” Full story.