Dawn Patrol: Willow Creek attracting 80,000; Craigslist thefts go awry
Boyfriend charged in Aurora woman's slaying
The live-in boyfriend of Rennee Anne Perry, who was found strangled to death in her Aurora apartment Wednesday, has been charged in her murder. Police said yesterday Delbert K. Cooper called 9-1-1 for an ambulance for himself after the murder and told people he was trying to commit suicide by cutting off his finger. Police later learned Cooper's true identity while he was undergoing a psychiatric evaluation at the hospital. Cooper is due in bond court this morning. Full story.
Carpentersville teens caught in Craigslist thefts
Two Carpentersville 18-year-olds have been charged in connection with Craigslist-related thefts. In one case the teen spotted an $8,000 watch on Craigslist, stole it from the man who owned it and tried to resell it on the website for $6,500. The watch owner arranged to buy the watch, but brought police along to the meeting. In the second case, two teenagers stole a MacBook laptop from a man they met up with to buy it from, but the man activated a remote camera on the computer and was able to spot where they had taken it — to a Spring Hill Mall computer shop. Full story.
Need to start shopping? Stores ready for you
He doesn't want to, but Bloomingdale resident Phil Thorn is going to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg today to start his holiday shopping, especially for his fiancee, Brittany Spialek, of Streamwood. “I hate crowds,” he said, “but I'm going in with a mission. I have a list in my pocket.” To help shoppers, recession-weary retailers are making it more convenient with deeper discounts and extended hours. Full story.
Local park districts get in on Groupon game
Some suburban park districts have entered the world of online daily deals in an effort to attract more users. But the effort to boost the bottom line also means the potential for taxpaying residents to miss what typically are the best prices on programs and facility use, officials concede. Wheaton, Gurnee, River Trails and Joliet park districts are the few known to have used daily deal coupons. Full story.
House Republicans agree to payroll tax break extension
In a change of heart yesterday, House Republicans caved to a short-term renewal of the payroll tax cuts for all workers that was set to expire Jan. 1. House Speaker John Boehner acknowledged the GOP representatives' decision to originally reject the renewal “may not have been politically the smartest thing in the world.” The House and Senate could approve the legislation as early as today. Full story.
Carpentersville woman sentenced to probation, fines in birthday party killing
A Carpentersville woman who pleaded guilty to stabbing and killing an Aurora woman who was an uninvited guest at her 19th birthday party was sentenced to four years' probation and must cover the nearly $8,000 for funeral costs, a judge ruled Thursday. Jacqueline Loyola, now 20, stabbed Kassandra Caceres in the back several times after Caceres punched and kicked Loyola's 16-year-old sister. Loyola must also perform 100 hours of community service and continue counseling. Full story.
License-less driver charged in Aurora pedestrian fatality
A 21-year-old driver has been charged with driving without a license and insurance after he struck and killed a pedestrian in Aurora yesterday afternoon. Police said 73-year-old Robert Myzia was trying to cross North Farnsworth Avenue at Marshall Boulevard when he was hit by a northbound pickup truck. Myzia died shortly after reaching the hospital. The driver, Eric Pena of Elgin, was also charged with driving on an expired registration in connection to the crash. Full story.
Westmont man gets 25 years in estranged wife's murder
A Westmont man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after strangling his estranged wife to death in April 2010 during a “crime motivated by rage,” according to the judge. Ian Alamilla, a 35-year-old Belize native, strangled Tara Alamilla on the early morning of their daughter's 5th birthday as she and two older siblings were asleep in the home. Alamilla walked into a Chicago police station at 5:30 a.m. and told officers of the domestic dispute. Full story.
Willow Creek Christmas services serving 80,000 this week
While approximately 80,000 members and annual guests of Willow Creek Community Church have been anticipating this year's Christmas services for the past several weeks, the preparations for them stretch all the way back to Memorial Day. That's largely due to the fact that, for the second year running, a professionally made 30-minute film will be a big part of the services, church spokeswoman Susan DeLay said. While entirely independent of last year's film, the fact that film ended with the birth of Christ provided the seed of this year's new idea. The holiday services began Monday and continue today and Saturday. Full story.
Weather
Those of you dreaming of a white Christmas may be left out in the cold this year. The forecast calls for clear skies and no precipitation and temperatures dropping down to 25 tonight. Full forecast.
Traffic
The roads look like you'd expect the Friday before a holiday weekend: Light and fast. No major incidents are reported on area tollways. Today is expected to be the busiest travel day out of Midway (O'Hare was yesterday) so give yourself extra time if you're headed in that direction. Full story.
Kobe plans to play Sunday vs. Bulls
As sports pundits continue to question the seriousness of Kobe Bryant's wrist injury, the Los Angeles Lakers star guard made it clear yesterday that he plans to play in Sunday's regular-season opener versus the Bulls. “It seems like he's always got something he fights through,” Bulls guard Kyle Korver said. “The man played with a broken finger for like a year, didn't he?” The Lakers were already planning on playing without Andrew Bynum, who is suspended. Full story.
Poll Vault: What's the best toy you ever got?
What Christmas or Hanukkah gift put you over the moon when you were a kid? Was it a Cabbage Patch doll in the early '80s, or perhaps a Pac-Man game during the Atari craze? How about a Big Wheel, Barbie's Dream House or an Easy-Bake Oven? Submit your childhood dream toy in the comments section of Michelle Holdway's Poll Vault.
Happy holidays
We hope you have a safe and happy holiday. Thanks for reading!
Your Dawn Patrol team: Paul Biasco, Lee Filas, Neil Holdway and Teresa Schmedding