Dawn Patrol: Wauconda couple find missing man; Super Bowl matchup set
How Wauconda couple found missing Cary man
Another frustrating day of fruitless searching was coming to a close late Saturday, and with darkness setting in, those who had gathered at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake to begin the hunt for 21-year-old Kyle Cuchna were dismissed until morning. But Tina Leigh, her boyfriend Tim Kleich and their 7-year-old son, Jonathan, did not give up for the night. That determination paid off late Saturday when Leigh and Kleich found Cuchna - hungry, tired and disoriented, but more importantly safe and alive - in a Wauconda church's homeless shelter. Full story.
Man pleads guilty to exploitation of elderly father
An Elgin man accused of financial exploitation of an elderly person avoided a possible prison term by accepting a plea deal that will have him serving two years of probation and paying nearly $17,000 in restitution, according to Kane County court records. Robert B. Plagemann, 53, of the 400 block of North Spring Street, was set to go on trial next week on felony charges that carried a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Instead, Plagemann pleaded guilty to the exploitation charge in exchange for prosecutors dropping other counts, records show. Full story.
Elgin man arrested after 45-minute car, foot chase
An Elgin man has been charged with leading police on a chase - first in his car before crashing it, and then on foot - police officials said yesterday. Claude R. Thompson, 23, of the 1300 block of Maroon Drive was charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding. He also was charged with possession of cannabis, driving with a suspended license and other traffic offenses. Full story.
$270 million Jackpot winner has yet to come forward
The person who bought Friday night's winning $270 million Mega Millions ticket at a Glendale Heights convenience store has not come forward to claim the prize, Illinois State Lottery officials said yesterday. "Given the long holiday weekend, we want the winner to know they don't have to wait until Tuesday to come to a lottery office to make their claim, we will come to them," lottery Director Michael Jones said. "If you are holding the winning $270 million Mega Millions ticket please call (217) 524-5158 immediately." Full story.
Pedestrian injured in Rolling Meadows hit-and-run; suspect in custody
Rolling Meadows police say a suspect is in custody in connection with a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a pedestrian early yesterdaymorning. The crash occurred at 1:39 a.m. when a car headed eastbound on Algonquin Road struck the pedestrian near the Route 53 interchange, according to police. Full story.
Weather
Mostly clear and 26 degrees this morning. Temperatures will rise to 35 degrees this afternoon before dipping to 29 degrees overnight. Full weather.
Traffic
Widening and reconstruction work will cause restrictions on Route 31 between Virginia Road and James. R. Rakow Road in Crystal Lake through the end of May. Full traffic.
Blackhawks drop third of last four games
The Blackhawks last night fell behind, battled back gamely to tie the score, but in the end just didn't have enough in dropping a 6-3 decision to Dallas at the United Center. For the Hawks, the loss was the third in their last four games and the sixth in their last 11. Brandon Saad tied things up in the final minutes of the first period with his 14th of the season. Saad added No. 15 in the second period to make it 3-3 heading into the third, but goals by Eakin and Erik Cole and a late empty-netter proved too much for the Hawks to overcome. Full story.
Bears name Lucas director of player personnel
While new Bears head coach John Fox goes about the business of putting a staff together, new general manager Ryan Pace began putting his scouting department together yesterday with the hiring of Josh Lucas as the team's director of player personnel. Full story.
Super Bowl teams set
The NFL's final four teams played yesterday and now just two remain to battle it out at Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona in two weeks. Tom Brady threw for three touchdowns and LeGarrette Blount ran in three more to lead the New England Patriots into the big game with a 45-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Full story. Earlier yesterday, Russell Wilson hit Jermaine Kearse for a 35-yard touchdown 3:19 into overtime to lift the Seattle Seahawks to an improbable 28-22 victory over Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game. Full story.