Dawn Patrol: School bus vs. squad car, woman attacked
<h3 class="briefHead">Three injured when school bus, squad car collide</h3>
A Fremont Elementary District 79 school bus collided with a Lake County sheriff's police car responding to a call yesterday in Fremont Township, authorities said. The accident happened about 4 p.m. at Route 60 and Blackhawk Trail, west of Round Lake Park. Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District Capt. Bill Rohrs said one sheriff's deputy and two students were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with nonlife-threatening injuries. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Second surgery not hurting Kirk's prognosis, doctor says </h3>
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk underwent surgery for the second time late Wednesday to continue efforts to relieve pressure from swelling in his brain after a stroke, his doctor said yesterday. Dr. Richard Fessler, a surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, called it "a common surgical procedure to create more space around the senator's brain in order to accommodate the expected peaking of swelling." "The procedure is unlikely to have any impact on his physical or neurological prognosis," Fessler said. Another doctor said a second surgery means the situation is "extremely critical" but that it probably won't make Kirk's recovery any longer. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Edward Hospital sees jump in online stroke test</h3>
Within days of U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's stroke, Edward Hospital in Naperville said traffic to its online stroke awareness test jumped by hundreds. "We know around the water cooler here it was a huge topic of conversation," said Brian Davis, vice president of marketing at Edwards. "When something like this comes up, we want to get people information as soon as we can." Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Man in Arlington Heights murder-suicide had violent past</h3>
Roger D. James shot his wife, Angelita James, multiple times with a shotgun and then turned the gun on himself, Arlington Heights police said Thursday after autopsies confirmed that the couple's weekend slayings were a result of a murder-suicide. James, a Gulf War veteran, had domestic abuse cases going back to 1999. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Dog trainer wins eating challenge in Grayslake</h3>
Dog trainer Alex Rothacker would have made "Man v. Food" host Adam Richman look like a lightweight during an eating challenge at a Grayslake restaurant Thursday afternoon. Rothacker needed only about 19 minutes to devour a towering hamburger and chili-cheese fries that weighed a combined 4½ pounds or so. "I love food," Rothacker said. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Garden Fresh to close in Arlington Heights</h3>
Wheeling-based Garden Fresh Market is expected to close its Arlington Heights store by March 4, affecting about 70 workers. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity received a notification from the company on Jan. 5 that the Rand Road store would close. "The first layoffs are expected to take place on March 4," state spokeswoman Marcelyn Love said Thursday. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Villa Park cops investigating attack on woman</h3>
Villa Park police are searching for a man who dragged a woman behind a garage, knocked her to the ground and attempted to remove her jacket. The woman was able to fight the man off and call 911, Sgt. Dan McCann said yesterday. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Tollway, IDOT want to fix Tri-State, I-90 merge congestion</h3>
It lacks a catchy name such as the "Hillside Strangler," but the infamous bottleneck where the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) meets the Kennedy Expressway by Rosemont is just as infuriating for commuters as its I-290 counterpart. Tackling the infamous highway confluence will be among the priorities of the Illinois Tollway's recently formed I-90 Corridor Planning Council, officials said yesterday. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Star witness in 2002 Johnsburg murder trial says he hit victim</h3>
The star witness in the 2002 murder of a Johnsburg teen testified yesterday that he lost his temper and punched Brian Carrick several times after being asked to talk to him about a drug debt. Shane Lamb, who cut a deal for immunity with prosecutors in exchange for a reduced six-year sentence for cocaine possession, testified that Mario Casciaro called him that night to talk to Carrick about paying Casciaro at least $400. Whether Lamb's beating of Carrick came at Casciaro's request is at the heart of the case against Casciaro. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Romney is the aggressor in final Florida debate</h3>
An aggressive Mitt Romney repeatedly challenged Republican presidential rival Newt Gingrich in a fast-paced campaign debate last night, ridiculing the former House speaker's call to build costly projects in key primary states and to colonize the moon. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Weather</h3>
Decent day on tap. Temperatures will be about 36 degrees as you step out the door this morning, but will climb to about 40 degrees this afternoon before a couple of inches of snow falls tonight.Full forecast.
<h3 class="briefHead">Traffic</h3>
Only minor spots of congestion is showing on the highways throughout the Chicago area. An accident has been reported in the northbound lanes of Route 53 near Algonquin Road that is slowing things down a bit. Also, don't worry about that planned snowfall this evening. It's not expected to come until after the evening rush hour, so your afternoon commute is expected to be snow free. Full traffic <http://www.traffic.com/Chicago-Traffic/Chicago-Traffic-Reports.html>.
<h3 class="briefHead">Final Bears GM interviews happening</h3>
New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht, one of two finalists for the Bears' general manager job, was back at Halas Hall yesterday for his second interview. The other finalist, Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery, is scheduled for his second interview today. If the Bears do not make a decision this week, they could announce their choice early next week, in spite of warnings against conflicting with the Super Bowl. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Bulls can't think Eastern Conference finals a given</h3>
This is no time to look ahead to the Heat. There are too many potholes to avoid during this shortened, condensed season, Mike McGraw writes. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Why White Sox throwback uniforms will strike a chord</h3>
The White Sox this week announced the team will wear throwback red-and-white uniforms for 13 Sunday home games this season, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the exciting 1972 season. The uniforms were a huge departure at the time, and our Bruce Miles predicts they'll be a big hit with Sox fans for a couple of reasons. Full story.