Dawn Patrol: Prep Excellence banquet, Blackhawks lead 2-0
Prep Excellence banquet honors suburbs' top high school athletes
The best in suburban prep athletes' accomplishments, on and off the field of play, were celebrated yesterday at the second annual Daily Herald Prep Sports Excellence banquet in Hoffman Estates. A number of teams, coaches and individual athletes received special awards for showing excellence in performance, heart and attitude. Full story.
Donation drive honors fallen Arlington Heights marine
More than three years after 20-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. James Stack was killed while serving in one of the most violent places in Afghanistan, his family carries on his legacy with an annual food drive to benefit troops. On yesterday, American Legion Merle Guild Post 208 in Arlington Heights was filled with packaged food, DVDs, magazines and toiletries to be packed up and shipped overseas. Full story.
Dad faces DUI in crash that killed 4-year-old son
A 4-year-old Romeoville boy was killed and two siblings critically injured early yesterday morning in a single-vehicle crash authorities say will lead to driving under the influence charges against his father. Illinois State Police said Sunday charges of aggravated driving under the influence are pending against the boy's 29-year-old father, also of Romeoville, stemming from the 2:03 a.m. rollover crash on southbound Interstate 55 near Joliet Road in Bolingbrook. Full story.
Year of growth, volunteering at Elgin's Administer Justice
The spirit of giving back is alive and growing at Elgin-based Administer Justice, a nonprofit group that offers low-income residents with legal advice and representation for free or at reduced rates. According to the group's annual report, the number of volunteer hours donated by attorneys and volunteers was 12,446 in 2013, a 9 percent jump from 2012. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and 45 degrees to start the morning. The sun will appear this afternoon when temperatures bounce to 56 degrees, but temperatures will fall to 39 late tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on La Fox Road, between Campton Hills Road and Grand Monde Drive near St. Charles. Delays are expected and people should seek an alternate route. Full story.
Blackhawks' Bickell brings it - again - in playoffs
All Jonathan Toews had to hear was the name Bryan Bickell and the Blackhawks captain couldn't help but break into a big grin. "He's back," Toews said after yet another huge performance by Bickell, who had a goal and 2 sweet assists Sunday afternoon to lead the Hawks to a 4-1 victory over the Wild. Thanks to Bickell's heroics and a pair of goals from Brandon Saad, the Hawks now lead the second round series 2-0 with Game 3 set for Tuesday night in Minnesota. Full story.
No decision on whether Hawks' Shaw will play in Game 3
As expected, Andrew Shaw was out of the lineup for Game 2, but he will be flying with the team to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4, which are Tuesday and Friday. Asked if it were more of a cautionary move to keep Shaw out of the lineup Sunday, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was a bit evasive. "Well, he's out for today," Quenneville said. Full story.
The state of the Cubs and White Sox, as told by Miles and Gregor
With the first game in the Cubs-White Sox season series beginning tonight at Wrigley Field, the Daily Herald's baseball beat reporters have decided to update each other on their respective team's play so far this season. White Sox beat reporter Scot Gregor says the southsiders will arrive at Wrigley at less-than-full strength. Bruce Miles, the Cubs beat reporter writes Scot that while the Cubs record is as poor as it has been in recent years, new manager Rick Renteria has been bringing a positive energy to the northsiders, which has made some players better.
Read Gregor's column about the Sox here.
And Miles' column about the Cubs here.