Dawn Patrol: Former Kane sheriff dies; winds force early end to Norge event
Former Kane County Sheriff George Kramer dies at 81
Former Kane County Sheriff George Kramer died Saturday at the age of 81. Just two months before his death, George Kramer got to see his son, Donald Kramer, be sworn in as Kane County Sheriff. "He just put his arm around me and told me he was proud of me. He had a tear in his eye," Donald Kramer told the Daily Herald after the ceremony on December 1. "He's been my mentor my whole life. I know right from wrong because my father taught me that." Full story.
Winds force early end to Norge ski-jumping competition
Weather conditions have never forced the cancellation of the Norge Ski Tournament in the event's 110-year history, but yesterday came close. Organizers were forced to cut the competition short Sunday as high winds - at times gusting over 30 mph in the region - made conditions at the Fox River Grove event unsafe for jumpers. Full story.
Elk Grove man facing trial on allegations he abused friend's daughters
An Elk Grove Village man is scheduled to stand trial this week on accusations he sexually abused a friend's 5- and 9-year-old daughters and photographed the attacks. Scott J. Gates, 35, of the 600 block of Carroll Square, has been held on $250,000 bail charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 30 years in prison. Prosecutors said the victims were asleep in a family room of their Addison home in June 2011 when the 9-year-old awoke to find Gates assaulting her. Full story.
Man shot while walking along Elgin street
A 22-year-old man was shot in the chest early yesterday morning while walking along an Elgin street, police said. According to police, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 900 block of Villa Street at about 1:38 a.m. Once on the scene, officers learned that the victim, an Elgin resident, was walking in the area when a vehicle with several occupants drove by and shouted at him before shots were fired in his direction, police said. The man suffered a graze wound to his chest area and was taken to Presence Saint Joseph Hospital, where he was treated and released for nonlife threatening injuries, police said. Full story.
Crystal Lake couple, 6 others charged in $600,000 tax scheme
Federal authorities have arrested eight people, including a Crystal Lake couple that owns a tax preparation business, and charged them in a scheme in which charges allege more than 200 false tax returns were filed over a five-year period that netted more than $600,000. Patty Cordoba, 42, owner of Patty's Tax Service in McHenry, and three of her employees, including her husband, Mario Cordoba, 47, are accused of filing fraudulent federal tax returns from 2006 to 2011 for at least four others. Full story.
SAG Awards photo gallery
The stars of the big and small screen brought their fashion A game to the Screen Actors Guild Awards. With awards season in full swing, the gowns and glamour didn't disappoint at the SAG Awards. Check out the best dressed and those who had the best night after taking home an actor statuette. Full gallery.
Weather
Partly cloudy and 18 degrees this morning. Temperatures will rise to 28 degrees this afternoon, then dip back to 24 degrees overnight. Some light snow is possible through tomorrow. Full weather.
Traffic
Intersection work will cause restrictions in all directions at Bode and Barrington roads in Hoffman Estates until July. Full story.
Big challenge ahead for Bears' Fangio
Vic Fangio, the Bears' new defensive coordinator, built a beast in San Francisco over the past four years using a 3-4 scheme, an alignment the Bears have never played. The Bears always have been a 4-3 defense, utilizing four down linemen and three linebackers. That's expected to change under Fangio, although the transformation could be gradual. The problem for the Bears is that few of their players have the skills to fit ideally into a 3-4. Full column.
White Sox fans happy to see Samardzija
Throughout the off-season, the White Sox constantly talked about how one productive roster addition after another perked up a fan base that largely turned away in disgust the past two years. They raved about a boost in ticket sales after free agents Adam LaRoche, David Robertson and Zach Duke came aboard and Jeff Samardzija arrived in a trade from the Oakland Athletics. That, the White Sox explained, allowed them to come up with $42 million more to sign Melky Cabrera for the next three years and set up what looks to be an extended run of success. If the past weekend is any indication, the White Sox aren't lying, at least on the fan front. SoxFest moved into the Hilton Chicago and quickly sold out for the first time since 2010. Full story.
Toews scores goal, 4 assists in All-Star game
It was enough to give a goalie nightmares: A record 29 goals, 25 players with at least two points and eight with at least four. John Tavares of the New York Islanders matched a record with four goals, and Team Toews beat Team Foligno 17-12 on Sunday night in the highest-scoring NHL All-Star game. Full story.