Dawn Patrol: Geneva teachers to strike? Naperville bar investigated
Still awaiting word on whether Geneva teachers will strike today
A lawyer for the Geneva school district said news was to come today on the situation with teachers, who could strike as early as this morning. Negotiators for the Geneva Education Association and the Geneva school board met until nearly 11 last night in an effort to avert a teachers strike, but they did not reveal the results of the meeting. Schools will open with supervised activities if there are no classes. Full story.
Naperville bar under investigation, Pradel says
Naperville Mayor and Liquor Commissioner George Pradel says he expects to deliver a resolution by next week to the city’s ongoing issues with downtown bar BlackFinn American Saloon. Pradel, speaking after yesterday’s liquor commission meeting, repeated several times that the establishment is “under investigation” but declined to elaborate. Full story
Santa Claus coming to town? He’s already here!
Santa’s magical arrival at Schaumburg’s Woodfield Mall yesterday morning kicked off the 2012 holiday season — more than two weeks ahead of Black Friday. The event began with a performance by illusionist Walter “The Spellbinder” King, whose finale was to make Santa appear from thin air. Santa will soon be appearing at other shopping centers throughout the suburbs as well, starting with an appearance in Deer Park today, and has been at Yorktown Center in Lombard since last weekend. Full story
‘Healing Field’ inspires visitors, honors veterans
Volunteers this week placed 2,012 American flags on eight-foot poles at the “Healing Field of Honor” in Naperville, a tribute to veterans that also is raising money for traumatic brain injury research. Supporters can buy a flag for $30, or $35 with a yellow tag on which to write a message to honor a veteran or service member. The field also will be the site of Veterans Day events this weekend. Full story
ECC ace, 45, is school’s No. 1 tennis player
Elgin Community College tennis player June Lynch has won several titles in singles and doubles, led the team to a spot at nationals, earned the sportsmanship award from the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and was named her team’s MVP. Not too shabby for a player who picked up a racket and started playing tennis three years ago when she was 42 years old. Now Lynch is the No. 1 player on ECC’s women’s tennis team and one of the top players on the community college scene. Full story
Weather
Clear and cool with a high of only 36 degrees when you head out the door. Temperatures will increase this afternoon, climbing to 56 degrees before a late thunderstorm moves in tonight and temperatures dip back to 48 degrees. Full story.
Traffic
Roadwork continues in Naperville at Book Road between 87th Street and 111th Street. The construction is expected to last through the end of the month. More traffic.
Thunder’s stars too much for Bulls
Corny as it sounds, last night was a chance for the Bulls to rise to the occasion without Derrick Rose. They started 3-1 this season but hadn’t yet played a top-level team. Oklahoma City delivered the star power, with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook providing the toughest defensive challenge to date. Durant scored 24 points, including 6 in the final minute, to lift Oklahoma City to a 97-91 victory at the United Center. Full story