Weekend in review: Suburban soldiers return home for Christmas

Sergeant back from Iraq meets his daughter for first time

As newly arrived passengers at O'Hare International Airport gathered their baggage Christmas Eve, U.S. Army Sgt. Matt Vega clutched a precious package of his very own. Only minutes before, the Carol Stream native had flown in from El Paso, Texas, having completed his third tour of duty in Iraq. When he stepped off the plane, his wife, Stephanie, presented him with his 1-month-old daughter Leah. “It was amazing,” Vega said. “Pictures and video don't describe how beautiful she really is.” injured. Full story.

Lake Zurich grad back from Afghanistan for Christmas

For the first time in two years, U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Meyers celebrated Christmas with his family. The 24-year-old Lake Zurich High School graduate, who enlisted in November 2009, spent the past year serving with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment in Herat, Afghanistan. The year before, he was in Germany with his unit. But now his tour of duty is over and he's home — home with parents and siblings and friends who are grateful for his safe return. Full story.

Woman, baby rescued from Des Plaines townhouse fire

A woman and baby were rescued from the basement of a burning townhouse in Des Plaines Friday night. Both victims were unconscious and trapped in the basement when firefighters arrived about 6:45 p.m. on the 1300 block of Fargo Street but were successfully resuscitated on scene, according to Des Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax. The woman and baby boy were taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and were listed in critical but stable condition. Both are expected to survive, Wax said. injured. Full story.

Water brought in to put out fire near Elburn

A total of 17 fire departments worked to extinguish a fire at a single-family home near Elburn Friday evening. The blaze broke out about 5 p.m. at a home on the 2S200 block of Willow Creek Drive, in a subdivision located south of the intersection of Route 47 and Main Street in Blackberry Township. Emergency crews had to bring in a water supply, as there are no hydrants in the rural area. No one was injured. Full story.

Special delivery for a miracle child

In the womb, Meagan Seals was the baby no doctor believed could or should be born. Friday night, the 2-year-old got a dose of some Elburn-area Christmas cheer that might help her keep beating the odds. About 60 members of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church teamed up with Lutheran Church Charities to bring gifts — right to their door — that will help Meagan and her family work with the girl's disabilities. Shortly after birth tests revealed Meagan's skull was not fully forming. Eventually, a clementine-sized portion of her brain would develop outside the back of her head. Full story.

Lake in the Hills man found stabbed

Police announced Friday night Daniel V. DeFrancisco, 25, was arrested and charged with aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery and domestic battery after they found a man bleeding from his neck in front of a Lake in the Hills home from a stabbing. It was the result of a domestic dispute that took place about 12:30 p.m. on the 2800 block of Melbourne Lane, Lake in the Hills police said. Full story.

Third member of Elgin downtown group in a year dies

Victor Gonzalez knew a lot of people, said his friend Tonya Hudson, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin. It was among his greatest strengths #8212; an ability to connect with people from all backgrounds. Victor Gonzalez is the third member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin to die within the past year. Gonzalez, 41, died Friday after a battle with stomach cancer. Gonzalez, the owner of Elgin Jewelers, 11 N. State St., also managed Ravenheart Coffee. His friend and neighborhood association colleague Patricia Keeney died of cancer on Dec. 27, 2010. On Sept. 29, his friend Steve Munson #8212; also a former president of the neighborhood association #8212; died. Full story.

Why Arlington Heights man keeps dropping gold coins in kettles