Dawn Patrol: MLK essays; teen shot in Elgin
How suburban students think Martin Luther King changed the world
Several local students have been honored with awards from the Elgin Human Relations Commission for their eloquence in honoring the legacy of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The awards - for essays, scholarships and artwork - were presented during Elgin's 31st annual celebration of King, a three-day event culminating Sunday at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. Read excerpts from the winning essays on "How Dr. Martin Luther King Changed Our World" here.
Teen shot in Elgin expected to live
Elgin police are looking into yesterday morning's shooting of a 15-year-old boy. The victim arrived at Presence Saint Joseph's Hospital with a gunshot wound and was treated for nonlife-threatening injuries, police said. He had been walking near Oak and Orchard streets when he was confronted by an unknown assailant, who shot him, police said. Full story.
Elk Grove Village man dies in construction-zone car crash
An Elk Grove Village man was killed yesterday after his car hit a semitrailer parked along a ramp in Itasca, authorities said. Daniel A. Bozowski, 30, was driving on the ramp from Interstate 290 west to Thorndale Avenue when his car collided with the back of a semitrailer, which was parked in a construction zone on the left shoulder of the ramp, officials said. Full story.
Des Plaines hospital adds outpatient program for troubled veterans
Chicago Behavioral Hospital, which 15 months ago took over Maryville Behavioral Health Hospital in Des Plaines, has spent millions of dollars to modernize the new Extra Mile Veteran Care center on the campus. "We're creating an environment that is welcoming and homelike," said Susan Young, a spokeswoman for the hospital, adding that there are 3,600 groups that work with veterans. The center, a specialized private outpatient program in a separate building, addresses the mental health and chemical dependency issues of veterans and their families. Full story.
Two men face charges after driving into Beach Park retention pond
Two men are facing charges after a vehicle was driven into a Beach Park retention pond Saturday, officials said. About 10 p.m., Lake County sheriff's deputies responded to the 12600 block of West Wakefield Drive, where they found a Dodge Stratus in the retention pond, Detective Chris Covelli said in a news release. With the help of the sheriff's K-9 unit, deputies found cash and cannabis, along with packaging for distribution, in the car, he said. Full story.
Sheriff: Man, 19, dies after likely suffering from opioid overdose
Despite using an opioid overdose reversal drug, Lake County sheriff's officials say they couldn't save the life of a 19-year-old man found unresponsive Saturday. After determining the victim was "likely suffering from an opioid overdose" when deputies arrived at his home in unincorporated Lake Villa, they gave him a dose of Naloxone before administering CPR, officials said. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Full story.
Weather
Bitterly cold today with temperatures reaching a high of only 9 degrees. Temperatures are 1 degrees below zero right now, and will reach only 3 degrees above zero overnight tonight. Full weather.
Traffic
Work has closed Route 132 in both directions between Fairfield Road and Route 59 in Lake Villa until May. Full traffic.
Blackhawks make it 11 straight wins
On Dec. 28, the Chicago Blackhawks were 20-13-4 and in third place in the Central Division, a whopping 13 points behind the first-place Dallas Stars. Twenty days later - after the Hawks rattled off a franchise-tying-best 11th straight victory with a 5-2 victory over Montreal last night at the United Center - it's downright astonishing how much things have changed. John Dietz looks at the hottest team in the NHL in today's column.
Broncos, Panthers advance in playoffs
Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers will host the NFC Championship Game for the first time after knocking out the two-time conference champion Seattle Seahawks 31-24 yesterday. The top-seeded Panthers (16-1) will host the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl. In Denver, Peyton Manning rescued the butterfingered Broncos with a late touchdown drive and Denver advanced to the AFC championship game with a 23-16 win over Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers last night. The Broncos (13-4) will host Tom Brady and the New England Patriots (13-4) next weekend.