Dawn Patrol: Cook of the Year crowned; Judson lays off 21
Teacher wins Cook of the Year
Carpentersville resident and Schaumburg High School teacher Michael Pennisi won second annual Cook of the Year contest on Thursday night in Schaumburg. He whipped up a salmon saute with spicy sweet potatoes and “Brussels slaw” to take the crown. Full story.
21 fall victim to Judson layoffs
Judson University in Elgin has laid off 21 staff members and opted to end 11 faculty members’ contracts effective next year. “Perhaps we’ve been adding people too quickly, and haven’t been growing as fast as we anticipated,” said interim President William Clark Crothers. Full story.
Naperville police helped murder victim lost on first day of school
Several Naperville police officers spent part of a late August morning comforting a young Olivia Dworakowski, who had gotten lost on her first day of kindergarten. They never imagined two months later they would find her again, this time as a victim to one of the city’s most horrific crimes. “This is a very stressful time for our department, as you can imagine. This was a horrific crime scene,” said Police Chief Bob Marshall. Full story.
Lombard wants to auction off Ryder Cup ride
The village of Lombard would like to auction off the squad car Deputy Chief Pat Rollins used to bring European golfer Rory McIlroy to the final day of the Ryder Cup in late September, but trustees first have to decide how Rollins should be able to use its replacement. Full story.
Arrest made in pharmacy robbery
A 29-year-old man has been charged with robbing a CVS Pharmacy in Crystal Lake at gunpoint and stealing three bottles of oxycodone. Eric S. Sorenson, of the 100 block of Lake Court, Crystal Lake, is charged with felony armed robbery and theft of more than $500, police said. Full story.
Elgin heroin dealer gets 10 years
A 37-year-old man was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for trying to sell $1,500 worth of heroin to an undercover cop near a park in Elgin in 2011, authorities said. Shannon D. Hill, of the 1100 block of Spruce Lane, pleaded guilty in August to possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a park. Full story.
Weather
Clear but cool with a high of only 37 degrees when you head out the door this morning. Temperatures will top out at 52 degrees this afternoon, before falling back to 37 degrees overnight. Full story.
Traffic
Batavia Road north of Butterfield Road is closed for road widening in Warrenville through today. Traffic remains detoured via Illinois Route 59. More traffic.
Have you ever been in a natural disaster?
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, this week’s Poll Vault focuses on hurricanes and other natural disasters. Click here to answer.
Bulls happy Gibson is staying
The Bulls have reason to celebrate Taj Gibson’s contract extension. They will hang on to a promising young player, instead of watching him walk away like Omer Asik did last summer. Read Mike McGraw’s take.
Bears not dwelling on road ahead
The Bears’ final nine opponents have an impressive combined winning percentage of .586 (41-29). But they’re not looking ahead. “I just look at the team that we’re playing, “cornerback Tim Jennings said. “Of course we check the schedules out, but we know it’s (always) going to be a tough one. This is the NFL.” Read Bob LeGere’s take.
Blake Shelton wins Entertainer of Year at CMA Awards
It was couples night at the Country Music Association Awards as Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert capped an emotional evening with Shelton’s first entertainer of the year award. Little Big Town and Thompson Square also took home some hardware. Full story and photo gallery.