2015 in Review: DuPage County's biggest stories

Sometimes it seemed 2015 in DuPage County was all about the College of DuPage. But it wasn't, of course. Here's a look at some of the other stories that grabbed headlines and got people talking.

March supports cops:

Hundreds brave cold and snowy weather to participate in a community march in early January in Oak Brook to support police officers in response to protests in Chicago and throughout the country against police brutality. “I just got to the point where I was tired of all the negativity surrounding police officers,” organizer Teri King of Berwyn says.

Drone flights fuel debate:

Naperville begins looking at ways to regulate drone flights after a North Aurora man posts a YouTube video taken with just such a device of the city's holiday lights. City council members say they're concerned with safety and privacy. “Our fear is they're going to fall out of the sky and hit someone,” police Chief Robert Marshall says.

Frigid temps close schools:

For the second winter in a row, bitter cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills sock the area during the first week of January, forcing schools to close for two days just after winter break.

Library gives away furniture:

To make room for new furniture, Roselle Library officials decide to give away some of their used chairs and tables in early January. They think it will take about a month to clean out the old furniture, but people are waiting in line when the library opens and most of the good stuff is gone the first day.

Outgoing prez at Benedictine:

After 20 years as president of Benedictine University in Lisle, William Carroll announces in January that he plans to step down before year's end. During his tenure, Carroll helped grow the school's enrollment and physical facility, but perhaps most importantly improved its diversity and spread its reach to places such as Springfield, Arizona and even Asia. “All I am here is a watchman, and it's time for me to step down and another generation of watchmen to step in,” he says.

Villa Park man convicted:

A Villa Park man, Todd Mandoline, is sentenced to 39 years in prison in April after a jury convicts him in January of first-degree murder and aggravated arson in a July 2012 fire he set in Lombard that kills his former girlfriend, Paula Morgan, and injures her friend, Jason Cassidy. Prosecutors say Mandoline set fire to Morgan's 2003 Acura following her 25th birthday celebration and the blaze quickly spread to her house.

Fairgrounds violations:

Most of the structures on the 42-acre DuPage County Fairgrounds site are forced to close in January after Wheaton officials discover more than 300 building code violations. County fair officials promise the violations will be corrected in plenty of time for the fair at the end of July, but the grandstand isn't ready.

68 years for slaying:

A 36-year-old Darien man, Joseph Spitalli, is sentenced to 68 years in prison in January for a November 2012 attack in which he nearly beheaded his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend with a 5-inch serrated kitchen knife.

Super day for Naperville:

Two Naperville families find themselves featured in a McDonald's Super Bowl ad after being filmed at a local restaurant as part of the chain's new Lovin' It campaign. Aiden Conley, 13, and his mom were featured in the ad along with Dale Ramsburg and 8-year-old daughter Grace and 12-year-old son Adam.

Super Sunday, Super Snow:

The fifth-largest snowstorm ever to hit the Chicago area dumps roughly 19 inches of snow on many parts of DuPage County on Feb. 1, Super Bowl Sunday. High winds cause blizzard conditions that bring traffic to a standstill and force schools to close — some for the fourth time in less than a month.

‘I want that job':

The first of what could be many candidates for DuPage County Sheriff announces his intentions to seek the office in early February — more than three years before the next election. James Mendrick, a patrol watch commander and 19-year veteran of the sheriff's department, says it's been a career-long dream to serve as sheriff.

They want sludge, not soup:

Itasca leaders in February say they have lost patience with engineers who designed their $39.5 million wastewater treatment plant that, after three years, still is not as efficient or environmentally friendly as promised. The village files suit against Chicago-based Baxter & Woodman Inc. and its affiliate for breach of contract.

What's in a name:

An Addison woman is left fuming after receiving a bill from Comcast that addresses her by a nasty name. Mary Bauer had problems with her cable service and contacted the cable giant 39 times between January and April 2014. When she receives her Comcast bill in February it is addressed to “Super Bitch Bauer.” The cable company publicly apologizes and gives her two years of free basic cable.

Lottery winner sets a record:

A 70-year-old Naperville resident, Jesus Davila Jr., claims the largest jackpot in Illinois Lottery history — a cool $265 million — in February after buying the winning ticket at a Glendale Heights gas station. He elects to take a lump sum payout of $126 million. “I would like to buy a big house with a really big lawn and a riding lawn mower,” he says. Davila, who immigrated to the U.S. from Puerto Rico when he was 6 and moved to Naperville from Chicago five years ago, once spent 12 years in prison on a drug conviction.

Olaska guilty in murder:

A Naperville man, Daniel Olaska, is found guilty of first-degree murder in March for the February 2012 stabbing death of Shaun Wild, a second-grade teacher, in a downtown Naperville bar. A DuPage County jury deliberates for about five hours before handing down the verdict that also acquits Olaska on charges of attempted first-degree murder in the stabbings of two other men — Wild's friend Willie Hayes and a Frankies Blue Room bouncer Rafael Castenada.

Trucks hit new railroad bridge:

A new railroad bridge over Irving Park and York roads in Bensenville opens with a bang in March after at least 15 trucks hit the structure, a fiasco officials worried might happen. The Illinois Department of Transportation responds by closing Irving Park Road at York for four months. Part of the bridge over Irving Park had been resting on temporary piers and trucks could pass underneath, but when it was placed in permanent piers the clearance dropped.

2 stabbed in Naperville:

An 18-year-old Naperville man is charged with attempted murder after authorities say he repeatedly stabs the mother and father of a female acquaintance in their Naperville home. Police say Zachary Machnikowski becomes angry at a party when he believes a girl calls him ugly and decides to take it out on her parents — both of whom survive the attack. He pleads not guilty.

Chirico succeeds Pradel:

A sitting Naperville councilman, Steve Chirico, cruises to an easy victory on April 7 in Naperville's four-way mayoral race to replace the retiring George Pradel, who steps down after 20 years at the helm. Chirico, who promises to bring a pro-business bent to the post, easily outpaces Councilman Doug Krause and two relative newcomers to the political scene, Marty Walker and James Haselhorst. Pradel departs as the longest-serving mayor in the city's history.

Activity center projects begins:

Naperville Park District breaks ground in April on the largest project in its history, the $24 million, 80,000-square-foot indoor Fort Hill Activity Center at Fort Hill Drive and Quincy Avenue. The center, scheduled to open in fall 2016, will include a fitness center, walking track, a cafe staffed by people with special needs, a gymnastics area, an indoor playground, multipurpose rooms and gym space.

2004 ticket fines given back:

North Aurora resident Dan Laird fights the law and, lo and behold, wins. Laird's case started more than 10 years ago when he was ticketed for driving 31 mph in a 20 mph school zone in Wheaton. Laird paid the $75 fine, but didn't realize he also was required to show up in court. Then, earlier this year when he went to renew his driver's license, he was told he couldn't because he had a “failure to pay” notation on his account. After he brings the matter to the Daily Herald's attention, DuPage officials admit it was all a misunderstanding and wind up vacating his record and returning the additional fines he paid.

3 years in fatal I-88 crash:

A Hanover Park truck driver, Renati Velasquez, who nodded off and caused a fiery crash on I-88 near Aurora that killed a tollway worker and severely injured a state trooper, is sentenced to three years in prison in April. A DuPage judge finds him guilty of the felony charges of operating a commercial vehicle under the impairment of fatigue and two counts of failure to comply with hours of service requirements. Killed in the crash was Vincent Petrella of Wheeling and injured was Trooper Douglas Balder.

2,000 protest in Oak Brook:

Roughly 2,000 demonstrators from across the country rally peacefully in May outside McDonald's corporate headquarters in Oak Brook to demand a boost in wages to a minimum of $15 an hour for “quick service” restaurant workers. A McDonald's spokeswoman says the company will continue to look at its wage structure.

Chlorine spill in Naperville:

Eight children and three adults are treated in May for respiratory issues following a chlorine spill at an indoor swimming facility in a Naperville industrial park. All 11 are released from Edward Hospital within the day after the spill at Goldfish Swim School.

Murder charge in stabbing:

An 18-year-old Glendale Heights man is charged with murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery in the stabbing death of an Aurora man and the stabbing of a Chicago woman at a high school graduation party near Glen Ellyn. Alberto Jimenez, who has a violent criminal history as both an adult and juvenile, is accused of punching and stabbing 19-year-old Verkita Vargas and eventually stabbing and killing 19-year-old Tehavis Price.

Benedictine's new leader:

Longtime educator Michael S. Brophy is named in June as the 11th president in the history of Lisle's Benedictine University. He says his goal is to build the school into “a leading voice in Catholic higher education.” He replaces William Carroll.

Lisle approves building plans:

Lisle approves plans in June for an apartment and retail complex at the former village hall site in downtown. Marquette Companies plans to build two multistory buildings with commercial space on the first floor and apartments above. Ground officially is broken in December.

Monks sue Benedictine:

Seven monks from Lisle's St. Procopius Abbey file a lawsuit in June against Benedictine University's board of trustees and its president, William Carroll, alleging the school denied them several of their rights as members of the university, including the right to interview job candidates and vote for the university's new president. The suit comes just days after the university named Michael Brophy as its new president.

Addition at Glenbard West:

Construction of a $12.2 million addition to Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn begins in August, despite concerns from some neighbors and alumni who say it will destroy a rare ecosystem. The addition, designed for science classes, is being built on portions of a one-acre wooded site that honors a former science department chairman.

The sage from DuPage:

DuPage County officials open a new exhibit at the judicial office facility annex in June to honor Judge William J. Bauer, a legendary legal eagle who still serves as a senior judge on the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. Bauer's name already is on the building. He started his career in 1958 when he was elected DuPage state's attorney.

Pilot dies in forest preserve:

A Bloomingdale man, Michael Sandman, is killed July 3 when his single-engine Cessna 172 crashes into a field in the Hawk Hollow Forest Preserve near Bartlett. Authorities say Sandman had taken off from Schaumburg Regional Airport and did a quick landing and takeoff at DuPage Airport before radioing in with engine issues.

Lowering the Confederate flag:

For the second time in recent years, a symbol on a demolition derby car at the DuPage County Fair sparks a controversy. This time a driver flying the Confederate flag upsets an area family who said the flag is a symbol of hate speech. DuPage fair officials refuse to comment.

A happy birthday for all:

A Naperville woman, Kate Schultz, decides to celebrate her 33rd birthday by collecting bags of party fixings for families in need served by Loaves & Fishes Community Services. Her project, called Let Them Eat Cake, produces enough bags to create birthday surprises for 106 kids.

Water Street project begins:

Developers break ground in April on the Water Street District in Naperville, a project years in the making that's being heralded as a game-changer for the city's downtown. Once complete, the $93 million Water Street District will occupy 2.4 acres east of Naperville city hall and include a hotel, restaurants, offices, parking deck and more.

Gas station OK'd:

Despite protests from some neighbors, the Carol Stream village board in July approves plans for a gas station that will cater to truck drivers with a convenience store and several restaurants at the site of an abandoned bowling alley near the southwest corner of North and Gary avenues. Residents of the nearby Windsor Park retirement community complain about the potential for noise, as do several area businesses.

Forest preserve director:

It takes nearly a year, but the DuPage County Forest Preserve Commission in July selects Oak Brook's public works director, Michael Hullihan, to be its new executive director. The 60-year-old calls it “the best job in the world.” He replaces Arnie Biondo, who was forced out of the post in August of 2014 after roughly eight months on the job.

Petition for independence:

Failed attempts by state lawmakers to return oversight of DuPage County's forest preserves to the county board inspires the district to create an online petition calling on state legislators to keep the district independent.

Pope's sanctuary:

Glen Ellyn native Jim Lenahan helps design the outdoor sanctuary for Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia in September. The 28-year-old says he tried to keep things simple in keeping with the pope's famously low-key tastes.

New interchange:

Drivers are cautious in September as the new diverging diamond interchange opens at Route 59 and I-88 in Naperville. Unlike traditional cloverleafs, the diamond design briefly shifts traffic into left lanes using signals on bridges so vehicles can turn left onto the highway without facing oncoming cars.

Boathouse redo:

After years of planning, renovations on a historic boathouse on Lake Ellyn begin in September to restore the quaint structure to as close to its original 1937 design. Glen Ellyn Park District commissioners hope the project will be done by the 2016 Fourth of July.

After 30 years, an arrest:

More than three decades after the murder and rape of 15-year-old Kristina Wesselman near Glen Ellyn, authorities arrest a 62-year-old Champaign man, Michael R. Jones, for the July 21, 1985, crime.

FAA conviction:

Brian Howard of Naperville is sentenced in September to 12½ years in prison on federal charges that he set fire to an air-traffic control center in Aurora a year ago, causing flight delays across the country and the world. He also is ordered by U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman to serve three years of parole after his sentence and to pay $4.5 million restitution to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Better than before:

The re-imagined DuPage Children's Museum reopens in September, roughly eight months after the Naperville-based facility suffered severe flood damage as a result of pipes that burst in extreme January cold. The flooding caused roughly $2 million damage and the museum temporarily moved to a site at Westfield Fox Valley in Aurora while crews virtually rebuilt the popular museum.

Soldier's name goes on COD building:

In the midst of a long-running dispute over ousted President Robert Breuder's contract, the College of DuPage board votes to name the Glen Ellyn school's Homeland Security Education Center after Staff Sgt. Robert Miller, a Wheaton native and Medal of Honor recipient who was killed in 2010 while fighting against insurgents in Afghanistan. Breuder wanted the board to name the building in his honor.

Naperville adds sales tax:

Looking to close a budget gap, build reserves and pay down debt, the city council in Naperville decides to create the city's first home-rule sales tax. The 0.5 percent tax will be charged beginning Jan. 1. It's estimated to bring in $6.4 million for the city in 2016.

Sticker shock for Glen Ellyn Park District:

Some Glen Ellyn Park District commissioners are left with sticker shock in October when a proposal to create community gardens on the north side of the village comes in with an $80,000 price tag. Commissioners say they thought the idea of bringing gardens to Lenox Road near Ackerman Park would be a relatively straightforward proposition.

Man pleads guilty to terrorism charges:

A 20-year-old Bolingbrook man, Mohammed Hamzah Khan, who was charged last year with plotting to fly to the Middle East to join the Islamic State terrorist group, now faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in October to federal terrorism charges.

Sheriff feuds with county board:

DuPage Sheriff John Zaruba comes under fire from the county board in October for refusing to meet to discuss his proposed $40.8 million budget. The county wants Zaruba to consider some budget cutbacks, but the elected sheriff balks not only at making any changes, but even discussing the possibility with the board.

March supports ‘Halloween House':

An 11-year-old Naperville girl, Sara Marston, launches a petition campaign in October to try to convince the Ashbury Homeowners Association to allow Nick Thomas to put up his massive Halloween display again this year — but the association is unmoved. Thomas was well known for his holiday display, but after 18 years the association put restrictions on how big such holiday happenings could be — and Thomas elected to keep all his stuff in storage.

Winfield, Central DuPage debate contributions:

Winfield and Central DuPage Hospital enter into negotiations late in the year after the village claims the medical facility isn't paying its fair share for police protection and road repairs. Officials at the hospital — which as a nonprofit doesn't pay taxes — say they're willing to pay more, but exactly how much more remains in question. By year's end the two sides seem to be moving toward a deal.

Flood relief project unveiled in Carol Stream:

Carol Stream unveils a $12,5 million flood relief project in October at Armstrong Park. The project includes the installation of two large reservoirs designed to reduce home flooding in the area, although officials admit streets just outside the park may still take on water.

Lisle cop shoots, kills intruder:

A 59-year-old Lisle woman, Monica Liszka, is roused one October morning by the sound of a man trying to break into her residence. A steel pole she says she bought at Home Depot keeps the man at bay until police arrived. In the ensuing confrontation, Anthony Aguilar, 35, of Lisle, is shot dead by police. An investigation into the shooting by the state police and DuPage State's Attorney's office finds the shooting was justified.

Huge water bill in Lisle:

A Lisle man, Stephen Spratt, is caught by surprise when he receives a water bill for roughly $3,300 after village officials say they discovered he wasn't billed for hundreds of thousands of gallons of water he apparently used over the past year. Officials say that since 1996 they've been billing Spratt based on readings from a faulty outside meter.

3 charged in NIU student's fatal fall:

Three men are facing criminal charges for obtaining the LSD that contributed to the death of a 19-year-old Northern Illinois student from Des Plaines. Oluwarotimi “Timi” Okedina fell to his death in September from an 11th-floor window at Stevenson Towers at NIU in DeKalb. Charged in connection with his death are Michael Kielhack, 20, of Elgin; Michael Montgomery, 19, of Naperville; and Thomas Quirke, 19, of Aurora.

Naperville Marathon winner:

Scot Ursum of Grand Rapids, Michigan, wins the third annual Healthy Driven Naperville Marathon with a time of 2:45:25. More than 4,000 runners participate.

Last tainted soil leaves West Chicago:

After 30 years and $1.2 billion worth of cleanup work, the final rail cars filled with contaminated materials from the former Kerr-McGee site in West Chicago roll out of town in November. Mayor Ruben Pineda calls it an occasion for celebration, but cautions there's still work to be done to clean ground water at the site before it can be converted into ball fields.

Longtime manager stepping down:

Don Rose announces at the start of December that he'll step down next spring after 35 years as Wheaton's city manager. “It just felt like the right time,” the 69-year-old says. “While there's still a lot of things to be accomplished and done, I think the foundation is laid for all that work.”

COD student claims scholarship:

Kotryna Staputyte of Naperville progresses to the finals of the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway and scores a $100,000 scholarship by tossing 17 footballs through a target in 30 seconds during halftime of the Pac-12 championship game in California. She plans to transfer to DePaul University and hopes to become a doctor for people with disabilities.

New police station moves ahead:

Glen Ellyn trustees settle on a bigger budget after village officials say they underfunded a project to build a new police station on a site near Panfish Park, more than half of which lies in a flood plain. Trustees originally authorized using about $12 million of bonds for construction over the summer, but decide in December on an estimated $13.5 million plan. Police Chief Phil Norton says he's disappointed the new building won't include a $1.6 million shooting range.

Bald eagle dies:

An American bald eagle that was found injured near Darien and apparently had a history in DuPage County dies at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. Willowbrook officials say the raptor, which may have suffered from the West Nile virus, previously had been nursed back to health at the center operated by the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. The male eagle was released in April 2014 at Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve after spending two months at the center recovering from a gunshot wound.

Don't lead prayer, coach told:

Naperville Central High School's head football coach, Mike Stine, is ordered by his district in December to stop praying before games with his team. The directive comes after a complaint is filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, based on what turns out to be a tip from a Neuqua Valley teacher. Stine promises that neither he nor any of his coaches will participate in any such public activities in the future.

Wheaton College suspends professor:

A political science teacher at Wheaton College, Larycia Hawkins, is placed on administrative leave in December after saying on Facebook that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. College President Philip Ryken says the “theological implications” of what she said may not have “faithfully represented” the college's Statement of Faith. Some supporters hold a sit-into support her.

Medical marijuana facility in Addison:

DuPage County's first medical marijuana facility opens in November in Addison. The first person in line is a 19-year-old Itasca man with multiple sclerosis.