Dawn Patrol: Dad accused of threatening coach, Sandy hits

Sandy leads to widespread cancellations, delays

More than 450 flights at O’Hare International Airport and more than 100 at Midway International Airport were scrubbed Monday as Hurricane Sandy, since reclassified as a post-tropical cyclone, headed up the East Coast. Nationwide, more than 6,870 flights were cut and almost 2,670 were canceled for Tuesday, according to Houston-based industry data provider FlightAware. Delays could be a factor, as well, with the hurricane expected to bring wind gusts up to 50 mph to the Chicago area. Full story.

Storm plunges New York into darkness

Much of New York was plunged into darkness last night by the superstorm that overflowed the city’s historic waterfront, flooded the financial district and subway tunnels, and cut power to hundreds of thousands of people. The city had shut its mass transit system, schools, the stock exchange and Broadway, and ordered hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to leave home to get out of the way of Sandy as it zeroed in on the nation’s largest city. Full story.

Deal struck to keep Vernon Hills YMCA open

Members of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills received an early Halloween treat yesterday with news of a deal that will keep the doors open with no interruption or change in services, programs or fees. The Vernon Hills Park District eventually will assume ownership and operation of the facility at 700 Lakeview Parkway, with a sale to be completed no later than Jan. 1 under a tentative pact. The Lake County Family YMCA announced in late September that facilities it operates in Vernon Hills and Waukegan would close Oct. 31 due to continuing financial difficulties. Full story.

Lisle dad threatens coach after he benches daughter, prosecutors say

After his daughter was benched at a regional match last week, a Lisle man threatened to kill a high school volleyball coach and rape the man’s family members, prosecutors said yesterday. John Kasik, 61, also is accused of battering Lisle High School Athletic Director Dan Dillard during a confrontation at school offices. He’s been charged with felony telephone harassment and misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct. Full story.

Outgoing North Central president endorses Hammond

Troy Hammond may have been named the next president of North Central College on Friday, but for many on the Naperville campus, the appointment wasn’t official until yesterday, with current President Harold “Hal” Wilde’s endorsement. Wilde, who is ending his 22-year tenure at the end of year, was one of several officials to welcome Hammond and his family to the college family during a community reception. “He has the right temperament, the right intellect, the right character, the right energy, the right passion, the right experience and the right vision to turn this 151-year-old college’s promising start into an even more promising future,” Wilde said. Full story.

Ballot question won’t sway sitting mayor from holding two offices

Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, who hopes to simultaneously serve on the DuPage County Board representing District 3, says he won’t be swayed by the results of a countywide ballot question about whether politicians should be able to hold multiple elected offices. Pushing to get the advisory question on the ballot was County board Chairman Dan Cronin, who said “Although Cook County and other areas of the state may have dual office holders, this an opportunity for us to express who we are as a county.” Full story.

Weather

Cloudy, cool and extremely windy today as the effects of superstorm Sandy roll in. High temperatures will only reach 48 degrees today, but the wind gusts are expected to reach above 45 mph this morning and into tomorrow. A possible shower is expected to swing in later this afternoon or this evening. Full story.

Traffic

Roadwork continues in on Diehl Road between IL Route 59 and Raymond Drive in Naperville. People are asked to avoid the area if possible through November. Full story.

Bears become true monsters of the Midway for haunted fundraiser

Several Bears players worked last night as actors at the Realm of Terror Haunted House in Round Lake Beach to raise money for the family of William Christopher Pettry of Lake Villa Township. Pettry was killed while in Jacksonville, Fla., to watch the Bears play the Jaguars a few weeks ago. Full story.