Dawn Patrol: Quick hits as you head out the door
Breaking news
• A former Waukegan mayoral candidate has been charged with arson for setting the old Waukegan Salvation Army warehouse on fire in the 100 block of Gennessee Street in May. No one was injured in the massive May 4 blaze that Gregory Flesher, authorities said.
• Firefighters will still investigate a blaze that destroyed a house in the 56000 block of Sunrise Road in Naperville Township near North Aurora yesterday. No one was injured in the blaze that sparked at about 2 p.m. yesterday.
Cops: 15-year-old shot in Elgin, possibly gang-related
Elgin police continue to investigate two shootings that occurred just minutes apart from each other last night. A 15-year-old boy was wounded and hospitalized, but is expected to survived, according to police. The boy was shot from a suspect in a vehicle on the 200 block of Wilcox Avenue. 10 minutes earlier shots were fired from a vehicle seven blocks away at a second vehicle. No one was hit. Full story.
Car plows through Rolling Meadows bank, tellers injured
Two tellers at a Rolling Meadows bank were injured yesterday when an elderly woman accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake and drove straight through the bank's front door and into the tellers' counter. The woman's Jeep Grand Cherokee pinned one teller under the counter at Harris Bank after smashing into it, requiring firefighters to lift the vehicle off the counter. Full story.
Urlacher to play Sunday v. Saints
After spending two days in Texas with his family following the death of his 51-year-old mother, Brian Urlacher returned to the practice field yesterday to prepare to face the high-powered New Orleans Saints. Urlacher signaled that he intends to play in Sunday's noon matchup. “Sometimes when you're going through tough times like he is right now, you want to get back with your support group, which is here with his teammates,” said Coach Lovie Smith. Full story.
Metra train derails near Elburn
No one was injured when a Metra train on the Union Pacific West Line derailed near Elburn last night. Metra officials said the locomotive on train No. 41 derailed near the Elburn station at about 6:10 p.m. but remained upright. All of the passengers cars, containing about 40 passengers total, remained on the tracks. Full story.
Gym coach vows no deal in 9-year molestation case
As Michael Cardamone's infamous molestation case enters its ninth year, the former Aurora gymnastics coach is preparing for another battle at trial. He shares his thoughts in an interview with the Daily Herald, saying, he won't take a deal. Prosecutors, meanwhile, remain steadfast in their allegations. Full story.
Elgin grandmother fights to custody of abused girl
The Elgin grandmother of 2-year-old Molly Koch, found beaten in a St. Charles hotel room last year, is trying to gain custody of her. She blames a system biased against extended family of child abuse victims and Easter Seals not liking her talking to the media. Easter Seals says the grandma is hurting the case. The grandma refuses to stay silent. Full story.
Trya Banks kicks off tour in Naperville
Supermodel Tyra Banks discusses her new book series “Modelland” on Thursday at a North Central College event sponsored by Anderson's books. “'Modelland' for me is about expanding the message of beauty and doing it through entertainment,” Banks said. Full story.
Vacant Long Grove home nearly destroyed by fire
Fire officials said the cause of a blaze that nearly leveled an abandoned Long Grove home yesterday is “suspicious in nature. The Long Grove Fire Department had been using the home for simulated fires, and had planned to burn it to the ground tomorrow. Full story.
Vacant-home owners to pay $700 in fees in Elgin
Owners of vacant residences in Elgin soon will be expected to pay an annual $200 registration fee as well as a one-time $500 inspection fee as the city works to enforce a vacant residential building ordinance passed last November. The city council approved the fees last night in response to the increasing stock of foreclosed and vacant homes that fall into disrepair. Full story.
Wheeling Twp. trustee loses bid to become GOP chair
In a backroom of a Chicago Greek restaurant, Cook County GOP officials elected a South suburban highway commissioner over a Wheeling Township trustee as party chair last night. Full story.
Weather
Mostly cloudy and cooler today with highs in the lower 60s and lows in the mid 40s overnight tonight. The good news is that rain is expected to stay away until Sunday, when there isa slight chance of thunderstorms in the midday. Full story.
Traffic
Expressways are rolling right along on the area expressways, with exceptions for the Dan Ryan in the city., that is slow due to construction. People in Arlington Heights should avoid N. Arlington Heights Road and E. Rand Road due to an accident that is blocking all lanes. Police and fire are on the scene of the crash. Full traffic.
White Sox officially knocked out of contention
For anyone faithful enough to think the White Sox still had a chance, it's officially over. The Sox 7-2 loss to the streaking Kansas City Royals last night eliminated them from the playoffs. The Royals' five-game winning streak is their longest since they won five in a row in September 2009. With 13 meaningless games remaining on the Sox' schedule, the biggest question mark remaining is whether Ozzie will be back next year. Full story,
Cubs lose again
A brutal road trip has finally come to an end for the Chicago Cubs after they dropped another to the Cincinnatti Reds by a score of 8 to 6. The Cubs were down 6 to 4 in the ninth when they tied it up and sent the game into extra innings, but lost after the Reds scored two in the 11th. Full story.