Dawn Patrol: Arlington Heights man spots escaped prisoner in his garage

Arlington Heights man spots prisoner hiding in his garage

Before Michael Neu left work Wednesday afternoon, he checked Facebook and saw a story about a prisoner who authorities say had escaped the Rolling Meadows courthouse, just down the street from his home. Less than an hour later, the prisoner, Jonathan J. Scott, would be recaptured by Cook County sheriff's deputies in Neu's front yard after the Arlington Heights man caught him trying to hide in his garage. Full story.

Excessive heat watch today, Friday

An excessive heat watch will be in effect for the suburbs from this afternoon through Friday evening. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s today and Friday, with heat index values ranging from 105 degrees to 115 degrees. Full story.

Computer glitch wreaks havoc for Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines officials said late Wednesday night they were reducing the number of flights as they continued to deal with a major computer outage that grounded flights in Chicago and across the country. The problem might not be resolved by this morning. Full story.

Kirk faces tough re-election challenge as he skips Cleveland

As he runs for a second term in a state that leans Democratic and in a year when he's disavowed his party's presidential candidate, Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says the 2008 election looms large in his mind. Full story.

Palatine teen held on $2 million bail on sexual assault charges

A Palatine teen was ordered held on $2 million bail Wednesday on charges that he sexually assaulted two young girls over a five-year period, beginning when they were toddlers. Full story.

Weather

Partly cloudy and 76 degrees this morning. Temperatures will climb to 94 degrees this afternoon, before dropping to 78 degrees tonight. Thunderstorms are possible late. Full weather.

Traffic

Bridge reconstruction closes Ohio Steet in Aurora between Rural Street and Indian Avenue until November. Full traffic.

Rizzo powers Cubs past Mets

Pitching and defense go together hand in glove. In the Chicago Cubs' 6-2 victory Wednesday over the New York Mets, you can add "arm" to that as well as a few other body parts. Read beat writer Bruce Miles' take here.

White Sox drop lead again, lose in 11 to Seattle

The White Sox rediscovered their missing offense, handled the return of Seattle's pitching ace and saw Todd Frazier homer for the third time in three games. They also held a three-run lead in the seventh inning. And they suffered their second walk-off loss of the three-game series. Full story.

Illini golfer wins Illinois Women's Open

The 22nd Phil Kosin Illinois Women's Open shaped up as a two-player duel between a pair of Big Ten players before Wednesday's final round even began. Illinois' Stephanie Miller and Wisconsin's Brooke Ferrell owned a 3-shot lead on the rest of the field entering the last 18 at Mistwood in Romeoville, and they matched shots playing together through the first 14 holes of the final round with no other player mounting a challenge. Read Len Ziehm's report here.