Dawn Patrol: Mitt Romney’s promise; charges in school bus crash
Romney: ‘Need jobs, lots of jobs’
Mitt Romney finished the Republican National Convention last night with a speech that focused heavily on jobs and a promise to create 12 million of them. Romney attacked Obama’s signature health care law and vowed to repeal it, to a round of cheers. Clint Eastwood spoke before Romney made his entrance. Full story.
Charges expected against driver who fled Bartlett bus crash
Charges are expected to be filed today against a suspect who fled the scene after crashing his vehicle into a school bus near a Bartlett middle school. The driver of the bus, who was the lone occupant, suffered a head injury in the crash and was taken to an area hospital. Police found the man in a neighborhood less than a mile from the crash. Three schools were put on lockdown during the search. Full story.
Barrington man found dead in vehicle along Route 53
An autopsy is scheduled for today on a 49-year-old Barrington man who was found dead in a vehicle on the shoulder of Route 53 near Palatine Road late Thursday afternoon. A state trooper found Richard Himes in the vehicle, which was running, just before 5 p.m. Initial reports say there was no sign of trauma, and police said there was no indication of foul play. Full story.
Families and friends gather for overdose victims
Hundreds gathered at the Schaumburg campus of Roosevelt University last night to raise awareness about the dangers of drug overdoses. “It is nice and tragic at the same time to see so many people here,” said Jim Adair of Arlington Heights, who lost his oldest son, Brian, to an overdose in 2009. His wife, Grace, joined the Grief Recovery After A Substance Passing (GRASP) group a year later to support other parents and raise awareness. Full story.
Man guilty in 2010 DUI crash in St. Charles that injured woman
A West Chicago man was found guilty of aggravated DUI more than two years after his vehicle left the roadway in downtown St. Charles and crashed into a tree, which fell on and seriously injured a Geneva woman. Donald E. Rericka, 49, will face between one and 12 years in prison. The victim, now 50 years old, continues to suffer from injuries from the crash. Full story.
Weather
Sunny and hot with a high of 94 degrees is expected today. Temperatures are only touching about 74 degrees as you head out the door, and are expected to dip to 70 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction is continuing at the intersection of IL Route 31 and IL Route 176 in Crystal Lake. The work will require intermittent closures for the start of the project that will eventually reduce lanes. This project will remain in place until November of 2013. Full story.
Josh McCown solid in Bears final preseason game
Bears third-string quarterback Josh McCown shredded the Browns defense during the team’s last preseason game last night, and may have solidified his spot on the roster. McCowan was 20 of 29 for 157 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception in the Bears’ 28-20 victory. Last year’s undrafted underdog Dane Sanzenbacher’s roster spot was up for grabs again this preseason, but the shifty receiver may have also made his case with a 30-yard diving catch in the end zone. Full story.
Crazy win for Cubs at Wrigley Thursday
The Cubs scored 3 runs in the ninth inning off Francisco Rodriguez to beat the Brewers 12-11. Anthony Rizzo tied the game with a double and Alfonso Soriano won it with a one-out single to left-center to score Starlin Castro. Earlier in the afternoon, the Cubs trailed 9-3 before they rallied for 6 runs in the sixth. Full story.
Poll Vault on Chicago sports jerseys: Mikita’s? Castro’s? Enis’?
How many of you still have a Sammy Sosa jersey? Wouldn’t you like to trade in that No. 21 for Starlin Castro’s No. 13 these days? Michelle Holdway asks which Chicago sports figure’s jersey, from a bygone era or today, would you like to wear, in Poll Vault.