5K returns to honor slain Meadows graduate

It's been about six years since Shannon McNamara was murdered in her apartment near Eastern Illinois University.

And while Shannon's name doesn't appear often in the newspaper anymore, her memory is kept alive thanks to her family and friends.

The seventh annual Shannon McNamara 5K Run/2 Mile Walk will start at 9 a.m. on Sunday at Rolling Meadows High School. Runners start first with walkers starting a few minutes later.

Come early to register -- or register online at www.signmeupsports.com.

Adult registration is $15 in advance or $20 on race day. All student registration is $5. Proceeds go toward a scholarship in Shannon's name. The scholarship is awarded annually to graduating Rolling Meadows seniors.

At the run, there will be prizes for runners in each age group. There will also be prizes for best costumes in each age division.

A fellow Eastern student, Anthony B. Mertz, was later convicted of Shannon's murder crime.

Mertz, who lived across the street from Shannon, tried getting into her apartment with a credit card but was stymied by a deadbolt lock. He ended up slicing through a window screen with a carpet cutter and killing Shannon.

He was arrested two days after the June 2001 murder, after a credit card bearing his name was found on Shannon's apartment floor.

Shannon's story is rare for the Northwest suburbs, but it's a story that plays out far too often nationwide.

Nearly 2 million women are assaulted each year in the United States and more than half of women will be physically assaulted during their lifetime. A large proportion of women -- 64 percent reporting rape, physical assault and/or stalking -- were victimized by a current or former partner.

Trick-or-treat news: The Arlington Heights Police Department is recommending trick-or-treat hours from 3 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. The annual downtown Arlington Heights trick-or-treat event will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 at participating stores in the downtown area.

The Arlington Heights Park District will host "Trunk or Treat" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Melas Park, located just east of Busse on Central Road.

Kids can trick-or-treat from vehicle to vehicle in the parking lot at Melas where businesses and organizations decorate vehicles and trunks and provide "Halloween Handouts." Treat bags will be provided. For more information, call (847) 577-3000 or visit www.ahpd.org.