Dawn Patrol: Snowstorm; bank robbery suspect charged
Breaking news
A Lake Bluff woman was cited after one of her children drove her car into a hot dog stand in unincorporated Lake County near Knollwood Wednesday. The woman left her two 9-year-old children and a 6-year-old child in her running vehicle as she went into Scooter's restaurant on Route 176 and Waukegan Road Wednesday to pick up food. Police said one of the children climbed into the driver's seat and drove the car through the front of the restaurant, hitting someone inside. She was cited with child neglect and a second traffic citation for leaving her car unattended, police said.
6-8 inches of snow today, heaviest during p.m. rush hour
A snowstorm heading our way is expected to drop between 6 and 8 inches over the Chicago area, with the heaviest snowfall accumulating during the late afternoon and into rush hour. A winter storm warning is in effect from 9 a.m. until midnight tonight. The snow is expected to begin falling in the mid- to late-morning hours. Snow could fall at a rate of up to an inch per hour at the storm's peak. Full story.
Elgin bank robbery suspect charged in string of Kane County armed robberies
A 27-year-old St. Charles man who was arrested while fleeing the scene of an Elgin bank robbery Wednesday night has been linked to two separate armed robberies of Subway restaurants in North Aurora and Batavia, authorities said. Douglas A. Kelley is accused of robbing the Subway restaurants along Randall Road on Nov. 23 and Nov. 28, but has not been charged yet in the bank robbery. Charges in the bank robbery are expected today. Full story.
Flatlander's to close in Lincolnshire
Flatlander's, a large lodge-style restaurant known for its big stone fireplace and in house brewery will be serving its last meal in Lincolnshire this coming Sunday, but it is not the end of the business. Owners expect to open new restaurants in Chicago and Vernon Hills. “The bad economy hit us awhile ago, but we can be more profitable in a smaller space," said Russ Sher, executive chef and owner. Full story.
District 59 parents support school addition to fix overcrowding
More than 150 parents from Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 came to public meetings Tuesday and Thursday to discuss eight options the school district outlined to alleviate crowded classrooms at Robert Frost Elementary School in Mount Prospect. A majority supported building an additional four classrooms, a renovation that could cost between $1.6 million and $1.8 million, Superintendent Daniel Schweers said. Full story.
Burglars steal 140 firearms from Des Plaines gun shop
A large number of the 140 firearms stolen from a Des Plaines gun store are missing, but four teenagers from the South Side of Chicago and the south suburbs have been charged. Police said four masked thieves smashed the glass door at Maxon Shooters Supplies and Indoor Range about 3:30 a.m. Sunday and smashed several glass display cases. Chicago Police, acting on a tip, conducted numerous searches and recovered 58 firearms. Full story.
District 203 adds more possible boundary maps to discussion
Naperville Unit District 203 released two more drafts of potential boundary maps that if implemented would move more students than the first three proposals that were studied. The new map 4 proposes moving a total of 1,042 students. Map 5 proposes moving 1,051 students. The changes are necessary to fix overcrowding at Beebe and Mill Street schools and fill low capacity at others. Full story.
Baby sitter charged in 2-year-old's summer drowning
An Aurora woman has been charged after a 2-year-old girl she was watching drowned last summer at the day care facility she was operating without a license. Tracy L. Kennedy, 37, was watching Abigail Holland on Aug. 2 when the toddler drowned in Kennedy's aboveground backyard pool, police said. Kennedy was watching seven children at the time of the drowning and three of her biological children were also home at the time, authorities say. Full story.
Judson associate professor wins on 'Jeopardy!', on again today
A 52-year-old Judson University associate professor will be back on “Jeopardy!” this afternoon after a $22,500 victory in yesterday's show. Lynn Hammerlund of Lake in the Hills was thrown a routine pop fly for any Chicago-area resident for the “Final Jeopardy!” round whose category was sports and movies. The question asked about which facility at 1060 W. Addison was given by Elwood as his home address in the movie “Blues Brothers.” Wrigley Field. Full story.
Weather
It's not nice out there this morning. It's mostly cloudy right now, but temperatures are only six degrees this morning, with wind chills making it feel like its below zero. The impending snow storm is expected to hit at about 10 a.m., Accuweather said, with about 6 to 8 inches expected before all is done. The good news is temperatures will rise to about 20 degrees during the heaviest snowfall. Full weather.
Traffic
Only one accident to report this morning, on I-355 at Roosevelt Road that is blocking the left lane. However, police and street crews are on the scene of a burst water main that is causing problems at 95th Street east of Harlem in Oak Lawn. In addition, put a blanket in your car and keep your cell phone charged in case of any problems during the snowfall expected this afternoon. The heaviest snow is epected between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., making the evening rush a tough one. Full traffic.
D-Rose still questionable for tonight's game against Cavs
After sitting out the past two games and yesterday's practice, Derrick Rose remains questionable heading into tonight's game at Cleveland. “He's feeling a little better,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We'll see how it goes tomorrow. The swelling is down, so that's a good sign.” The injury comes at a good time, as the team had two days off in a row for the first time in the lockout-shortened season. “It felt good to be at the Berto again,” Joakim Noah said. “It wasn't too grueling or anything like that. Just a mental practice.” Full story.
Pick your favorite spots in the suburbs
Voting is now open for the Daily Herald's Readers Choice survey for 2012. Help rank the suburbs' best places for dining, entertainment, recreation, shopping and living by selecting your favorites for each category. We'll compile all of your results into our Daily Herald Readers' Choice keepsake publication on Friday, March 23. Deadline for submissions is Friday, February 3, 2012. Vote here.