Dawn Patrol: Quick hits as you head out the door
<h3 class="briefHead">Breaking news</h3>
A handcuffed burglary suspect that escaped from a McHenry County sheriff's vehicle in Crystal Lake Wednesday night has been captured, authorities said. McHenry County Sheriff officials said in a news release this morning that James R. Henson was taken into custody at about 8:30 a.m. by members of the Crystal Lake Police Department and the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. Full story
<h3 class="briefHead">Cop accused of stealing police charity money caught in Missouri</h3>
A former Woodridge police officer who was wanted on charges of stealing more than $30,000 from a police charity was arrested in Branson, Mo., Tuesday. Scott Wedd, who has had an outstanding arrest for his arrest since May, was arrested after a routine traffic stop. "We're obviously very pleased," DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin said yesterday. "He's been on the run for quite a few months now, so we're pleased that justice will now take its due course." Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Education expert decries U-46's bilingual education program</h3>
A bilingual education expert who analyzed documents regarding Elgin Area School District U-46's ELL program testified in the discrimination case yesterday that there were "tremendous discrepancies" between what the district described and how the program was actually implemented. The expert also said a district program unnecessarily separated bilingual students and English-only speaking peers. "It is institutional discrimination," he said. But defense attorneys said some key reporters from the State Board of Education and Office of Civil Rights were not included in his report. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Ex-board chairman tries to sway Kane County Board in favor of Metra hikes</h3>
A former Kane County Board chairman and new member of the Metra board of directors tried to sway his former board yesterday in support of the largest fare increase in Metra's history. "Metra has been like a duck waddling around that has been hit in the head," Mike McCoy said. "I think we have the correct controls in place now. Truthfully, the problem was an executive director who operated on his own. That's not the case now." McCoy said he supports the 25 percent across-the-board fare increase. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Man with fake nose, facial hair robs Hoffman Estates bank</h3>
Hoffman Estates police and the FBI are expected to release more details today regarding a bank robbery yesterday afternoon. Authorities said a man wearing a hood, fake nose and fake facial hair robbed the TCF Bank inside Jewel-Osco at 1069 N. Roselle Road. The man is described as between 5 feet, 9 inches and 6 feet tall and was last seen wearing a dark hoodie, dark pants, gloves, sunglasses, and a fake nose and fake facial hair, according to the FBI. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Charges dropped in $1 million Carpentersville embezzlement case</h3>
Charges were dropped against a secretary accused of embezzling more than $1 million from a Carpentersville commercial real estate firm because computer records were erased. Katherine Dohme, 31, formerly of Elgin faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Judge Timothy Sheldon sided with defense attorneys who argued that Carl Swanson, the business owner, had destroyed key computer records against a court order and compromised Dohme's ability to prepare for trial. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Cutler, Martz downplay "(bleep) him" comment</h3>
Media outlets speculated for days whom Bears QB Jay Cutler was talking about when he said "Tell him I said (bleep) him" in Sunday's game, but Cutler surprisingly answered that question without hesitation. It was directed toward offensive coordinator Mike Martz, and Cutler did not regret saying it. "You know, I'm not going to make a big deal if it's not a big deal," he said. "We're all on the same team in this building. We're going to try to win football games." Martz agreed. "You've got to understand that during the course of a game a lot of things get said. It's a very competitive environment." Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Weather</h3>
Sustained winds of about 25 mph and gusts of about 45 mph continues this morning until about 10 a.m., when it will start to slow down. The rain is also expected to taper off this afternoon, but a chill will remain in the air with highs of only about 51 degrees. Full weather.
<h3 class="briefHead">Traffic</h3>
Delays and congestion are being reported due to the rain and wind, though no major expressway accidents have been announced. A lakeshore flood watch remains in effect until 4 p.m. because of the sustained winds, and people are urged to avoid lakefront roadways until the waves subside to below 20 feet this afternoon. Also, people should avoid Router 45 and Butterfield Road in Indian Creek, and Old McHenry and Midlothian roads in Hawthorn Woods because of accidents. Full traffic <http://www.traffic.com/Chicago-Traffic/Chicago-Traffic-Reports.html>.