Dawn Patrol: Thanksgiving travel tips; Man gets 24 years in fatal crash
Thanksgiving travel tips for picture-perfect reunions
What if instead of cherishing that moment of Zen when you hand the baby off to relatives you're visiting for the holiday and relax, you're elbowing fellow fliers, lockstep in an airport line to nowhere as loudspeakers drone out inaudible bad news? Keep calm, and smartphone on, Travelocity senior editor Courtney Smith advises.
Mundelein man gets 24 years for causing fatal 2012 crash
Calling it a tragedy for both families, a Lake County judge sentenced a Mundelein man to 24 years in prison yesterday for intentionally causing a crash that killed a Round Lake Beach mother of three in 2012. In addition to the first-degree murder sentence, Mark Oelerich, 23, was sentenced by Judge James Booras to 14 years in prison for aggravated driving under the influence of drugs for intentionally swerving into a car driven by Araceli Villasenor, 24, on Cedar Lake Road in Round Lake on Thanksgiving eve. Full story.
$2 million bail for Ingleside teen accused in police chase
Looking pale and scared, an Ingleside teen was ordered held in Lake County jail on $2 million bail for being high and drunk during a wild police chase this month. Ronald Maas, 18, appeared in Lake County bond court Tuesday on charges of attempted murder, possession of a stolen vehicle, theft, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, aggravated fleeing and eluding, attempted theft, aggravated assault, criminal damage to government property, and aggravated driving under the influence. Full story.
Lindenhurst man killed in crash on Route 120 near Lakemoor
A section of Route 120 between Darrell Road and Fisher Road west of Route 12 near Lakemoor was closed for more than six hours yesterday after a fatal accident earlier in the day. The accident occurred at 9:30 a.m. on Route 120 near Fisher Road, according to the Lake County sheriff's office. Full story.
Obama takes on Chicago hecklers over immigration policy
Taking on the hecklers who've been interrupting his speeches lately, President Barack Obama argued back in a speech yesterday in Chicago with a point-by-point rebuttal of their arguments and suggested they "get the facts." Obama had traveled home to Chicago for an appearance aimed at broadening the appeal of his recent executive actions on immigration beyond the predominantly Latino population that lobbied heavily for relief. He visited a community center in a predominantly Polish-American neighborhood. Full story.
Elgin continues to test police cameras in light of Ferguson
Elgin police continue to test body-worn cameras, a process that started about 18 months ago and involves a lot of moving parts, officials said. An attorney for the family of Michael Brown - an unarmed black teen killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri - proposed enacting a law requiring police departments across the nation to wear body cameras, Newsday reported yesterday. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and cold today with high temperatures around 31 degrees. Temperatures should be in the low 20s when you leave this morning. Lows tonight should be around 22. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on Midlothian Road between Winchester Road and IL Route 176 near Mundelein. Authorities said lane blockages are possible due to resurfacing work. Full traffic.
Lions' defense big challenge for Bears
The Lions' stingy defense is not a welcome sight for a Bears offense that hasn't scored a first-quarter point in its last six games and has been shut out in the first half of three of its last five. The heart of the Detroit defense is the front four led by two first-round picks: tackle Ndamukong Suh and end Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, who have combined for 10 sacks, 5½ by Ansah. Full story.