Dawn Patrol: Cubs relaxed, ready in Pittsburgh; they win, you win a DeLorean?
Cubs relaxed and ready to go at Pittsburgh
The Chicago Cubs' team doctor was on hand yesterday at PNC Park, and judging by the players' demeanor, he was probably there to make sure pulses didn't get too low. As the players took the field for an afternoon workout, the focus was on fun, as it has been for the entire season. The Cubs take on the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight in a one-game, win-or-go-home, wild-card playoff game. Read Bruce Miles' full report.
Meet the Cubs fan who built a man cave of hope
Through hosting fundraisers at a unique Cubs-themed basement in his McHenry County home, Stewart McVicar has parlayed his passion for the Chicago Cubs into offering help - and hope - for countless others. His basement isn't just a fancy place to watch a ballgame, but also where he's hosted events attended by Kerry Wood, Fergie Jenkins, and Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts. "What he has done to take the fan cave and turn it into a place where he can raise money and help others is just remarkable," Ricketts said. Full story.
You can win a DeLorean if the Cubs win the World Series
Entries are still being accepted in the Volo Auto Museum's contest to give away a $85,000 replica DeLorean from "Back to the Future Part II" if the Cubs win the World Series. Museum director Brian Grams said he hit on the idea to give away the stainless steel car because the flick's star character, Marty McFly, traveled to 2015 to find the Cubs had won the World Series. Full story.
Classes off in McHenry again today as negotiations continue
Classes are off once again today in McHenry High School District 156 as talks between the school board and teachers union went until early morning today. Before the negotiating session even began, officials had called off school for a fifth day. According to ABC7Chicago, the next bargaining session is Thursday night. Full story.
Train hazmat scare turns out to be only an air leak
What was thought to be a possible hazardous materials situation last night in Buffalo Grove ended up only being an air leak on a freight train, authorities said. Officials originally believed that an unknown substance was leaking from one of the cars on a train traveling through town about 6:30 p.m., but it turned out to be air leaking out of a line, according to fire department officials. Full story.
68-year-old man dies in Arlington Heights house fire
One man was killed and one woman remains hospitalized after a fire early yesterday on the 1600 block of West Waverly Court in Arlington Heights. When police arrived they found one woman in the front yard and one in the backyard, but a 68-year-old man who lived in the house was unaccounted for. The names of the victims are expected to be released today. Full story.
Duckworth, Kirk trade barbs over Letterman fundraiser
Retired late-night legend David Letterman is set to appear at a fundraiser for Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth's Senate campaign later this month. The Oct. 25 fundraiser is billed as "Serious Fun," a play on its headliner comedian and the other top name on the New York event, Sen. Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat and "Saturday Night Live" alumnus. The fundraiser drew a retort from U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk's election campaign. Full story.
How a Lisle man ended up with a $3,300 water bill
A Lisle resident owes the village more than $3,300, village officials say, after they discovered he wasn't billed for hundreds of thousands of gallons of water he apparently used over a 19-year span. When Lisle replaced Spratt's water meters in July as part of a villagewide replacement program, officials discovered his indoor meter had a reading that was 819,000 gallons more than the reading on an outdoor meter. Full story.
Banner-raising night a big challenge for Blackhawks
Fans lucky enough to be at the United Center tonight will be treated to quite a show, from video montages to player and coach introductions to the raising of the championship banner. But can they expect to see a Blackhawks victory as well? Perhaps, but using recent history as a guide, the odds are against it, since four of the last five Stanley Cup champions lost their home opener the next season, writes John Dietz.
Traffic:
A crash at Lake Street and Park Avenue near Bartlett is affecting traffic this morning. Full story.
Keep on the sunny side:
Clouds will give way to sun today, and a high of 68 degrees is expected today. Tomorrow should be even warmer, but expect thunderstorms. Full story.