Dawn Patrol: 3 in Palatine family killed; Rihanna in Barrington
Three Palatine residents dead after car crash near Sycamore
Three Palatine residents — a grandmother, her daughter and her grandson — are dead after a car crash near Sycamore yesterday, according to police. Full story.
Rihanna eagerly awaited at Barrington High School
Pop star Rihanna will make her long-awaited visit to Barrington High School today, though the event sparked by the school's winning of a student video contest will be closed to the media. Full story. Still, you can watch her at the school through streaming video provided by High School Cube, and we'd love to see the pictures anybody at Barrington High takes of her. See details.
Illinois House OK could be break in pension gridlock
Supporters of big public employee pension cuts approved by the Illinois House yesterday say they've gotten past the hardest vote on the long-festering issue. The General Assembly gathers for one last day today before spring break, and it remains to be seen if pension reform legislation going back and forth between the Senate and House will survive. Full story.
Meanwhile, House says no tanning beds for most teens
Just in time for spring break, the Illinois House yesterday approved a plan that would prohibit minors under age 18 from using tanning beds. Full story.
District 214 fees will increase, then freeze
Registration fees in Northwest Suburban High School District 214 will be going up each year for the next few years but will be frozen for the duration of a student's high school career. The proposal approved unanimously by the District 214 school board last night differs from one presented a few weeks ago that would have incrementally raised fees for all students each year over a number of years. Full story.
12-year sentence in Batavia rape and domestic attack
A 55-year-old Batavia man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in June 2012 and a domestic attack in 2011, according to prosecutors and court records. Michael L. Jett, of the 200 block of South River Street, must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and serve 85 percent of his sentence, which comes to a little more than 10 years behind bars. Full story.
Pierotti doesn't want to be forest preserve chief
After spending months juggling dual roles as president of the DuPage County Forest Preserve Commission and interim executive director of the district, Dewey Pierotti is looking ahead to retirement. Full story.
Should married couple have two seats on same board?
While there's more than one issue being debated in this year's Streamwood Park District race, the three incumbents seeking re-election see the candidacy of their sole challenger as the primary one. Marion Janiec, who is challenging the incumbent slate of Adriana Armstrong, Rick Brogan and Thomas Keating, is the wife of Park Commissioner Richard Janiec, now midway through his term on the board. Full story.
Weather
Temperatures still aren't very springlike with a high of only 36 degrees expected this afternoon. It will be about 22 degrees as you head out the door this morning. Temperatures tonight are expected to be around 24 degrees. Temperatures should reach about 39 degrees Saturday. Full story.
Traffic
Roadwork continues on Charles J. Miller Road between Green Street and River Road in McHenry. The construction is expected to last until October. More traffic.
Another bad loss for struggling Bulls
Getting both Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson back from injury was supposed to be good news. And after the controversial loss to a streaking Denver squad Monday, a visit from the struggling Portland Trail Blazers last night seemed to be just what they needed. Not quite. A futile comeback fell short and the Bulls lost again 99-89 at the United Center. Full story.
Poll Vault: Who's in your Final Four?
Your bracket might be semi-busted already, with No. 14 seed Harvard upsetting No. 3 New Mexico last night. A pair of No. 5 seeds — Oklahoma State and UNLV — lost as well. Did you have any of them in your Final Four? Did you go with the No. 1 seeds? Join the conversation by leaving a comment with Michelle Holdway's Poll Vault.