Dawn Patrol: Strikes, bacteria close schools; Patrick Kane case turns
Day 7: No school today in Prospect Heights
After another late night of negotiating, Prospect Heights Elementary District 23 teachers are on strike for a seventh day today. During four hours of meeting with a federal mediator last night, the District 23 school board stuck to its "best and final" offer that the union had rejected with 92 percent of the vote earlier yesterday, President Mari-Lynn Peters said. Full story.
Lawyer for Kane accuser abruptly quits over evidence bag
Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita is scheduled today to address the question of evidence in the sexual assault investigation of Blackhawks star Patrick Kane. His news conference was scheduled ahead of Kane's accuser lawyer last night abruptly quitting the case, saying he's no longer comfortable representing the woman. Kane's own attorney said later last night it proves there is no case against the Hawks winger. Full story.
3 schools to remain closed Friday after bacteria found
Three Elgin-area school buildings will remain closed again today after high levels of the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires' disease were found in schools' cooling systems. Eastview Middle School in Bartlett, Larkin High School in Elgin, and the Educational Services Center, which holds the central office and Gifford Street High School programs, were evacuated Wednesday, and Elgin Area School District U-46 CEO Tony Sanders said the schools are being kept closed today as further safety measures are taken. Full story.
Driver killed on Cuba Road at Route 14 in Lake Barrington identified
A Barrington man died in a two-car crash in Lake Barrington yesterday and the preliminary investigation suggests it was because he failed to yield to a dump truck, according to the Lake County sheriff's office. Mark Angini, 67, died of multiple traumatic injuries from the crash, Lake County Coronor Chief Deputy Orlando Portillo said. Full story.
Former Gavin Middle School teacher admits molesting two students
A former Gavin Middle School teacher plead guilty in a Lake County courtroom yesterday afternoon to charges of sexual assault and possession of child pornography. Michael Vucic, 42, of Lake Forest faces between six and 82 years in prison when sentenced later this year, attorneys said. Full story.
Jail time for driver who caused car crash that killed Hanover Park teen
The former Glendale Heights man responsible for the December 2011 collision near Galena that claimed the life of a Hanover Park teenager was sentenced yesterday to 180 days in jail and 18 months of probation by a Stephenson County judge. Full story.
Weather
Mostly cloudy and 63 degrees this morning. Temperatures will reach 73 degrees this afternoon before falling to 62 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
The ongoing I-90 widening and reconstruction project closes McCornack Road between Route 72 and Big Timber Road in Elgin until the end of the year. Full traffic.
Chicago Cubs' Castro accepts new role, excels at it
Of all the remarkable stories surrounding the Cubs this season, the resurrection of Starlin Castro's season over the last two months is right up there. Nowadays, Castro gets most of his starts at second base. Throughout it all, something else happened. Cubs manager Joe Maddon never "lost" Castro as a player, and Castro never whined or pouted about his reduced playing time. Meanwhile, the Cubs can clinch their playoff spot today as their series with Pirates begins. Full story with game preview.