Dawn Patrol: No blizzard this Feb. 2; texts lead to Stevenson drug sting

Blizzard flashback

A year ago today, the suburbs were snow-dazed with the third-largest snowstorm since 1886. On this anniversary, we look back at some of the suburban tales of the Blizzard of 2011: a man trapped for 16 hours on Route 72 near Hampshire; Aurora police rescue efforts with a vehicle known as “the tank”; snow plows getting stuck in Arlington Heights; and entrepreneurs selling “snow-maggedon” T-shirts. Full story.

Text messages at heart of Stevenson drug investigation

An investigation continues into drug trafficking at Stevenson High School uncovered by text messages. Lincolnshire police used confiscated cellphones to unravel the drug-trafficking operation at the Lincolnshire campus, a school spokesman said yesterday. The investigation is focusing on text messages between one student suspected of being the supplier, and other students who were potential customers, Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey said. There have been suspensions but no expulsions or arrests so far. Full story.

Students in crash say bus driver falls asleep

Two of the nine students on the bus involved in Friday's crash say they have been complaining about the driver falling asleep since September. Had their complaints not fallen on deaf ears, they believe Friday's accident could have been avoided. Bus officials say they received only one complaint, put the driver under scrutiny and were satisfied with his performance. Full story.

Quinn touts tax breaks in State of the State

Illinois is "moving forward," Gov. Pat Quinn repeatedly declared Wednesday in a State of the State address that offered families and businesses modest tax relief but was almost silent on the looming financial roadblocks that could bring state government to a grinding halt. He proposed ending a tax on natural gas, saying it would help businesses and families alike. Full story.

Grayslake D46 board again rejects reducing Facklam's authority

Grayslake Elementary District 46 board member Susan Facklam survived another attempt by her political opponents last night to reduce her authority. Fellow board member Kip Evans led an effort to have Facklam removed as the school system's volunteer representative to the Special Education District of Lake County. But the board overall voted 4-3 against the move. In August, Facklam was found to have committed a felony violation of Illinois election code by registering two people to vote and giving them $5 restaurant gift certificates when she was up for re-election. Full story.

Lombard District 44 parents dislike boundary changes

A proposed boundary change meant to equalize class sizes between Butterfield and Manor Hill elementary schools in Lombard Elementary District 44 met parents' questions, emotions and opposition for a second day in a row last night. Butterfield Elementary School parents said the proposed boundary change asks them to make “concessions” by increasing their small class sizes to accommodate students now attending nearby Manor Hill Elementary School. But Superintendent Jim Blanche cited the crowding at Manor Hill. “We believe it's time to address this once and for all,” Blanche said. Full story.

Summit 303 speaker: Don't teach to the tests, teach to kids' strengths

Yong Zhao, the presidential chair of the University of Oregon's College of Education, last night at the first Summit 303 forum told parents and taxpayers it's time to stop killing creativity and entrepreneurship in students. The old, No Child Left Behind model of judging student achievement just doesn't apply to the new global economy, Zhao said. The message came at the first of five community forums in St. Charles Unit District 303 that will determine possibly extensive program changes in the local schools. Full story.

Ex-Westmont fire chief says he wasn't drunk in accident

Westmont's former fire chief testified yesterday that he had been drinking, but was not drunk when he drove into a parked car in December. Frank Trout, 67, is facing a misdemeanor DUI charge stemming from the Dec. 30 accident about a mile from his home in Westmont. Trout took the witness stand in DuPage County court during a hearing on the suspension of his driver's license. The hearing before Judge Liam Brennan resumes Feb. 8. Full story.

New mall plan could reignite land war between North Barrington, Hawthorn Woods

A major commercial development has again been proposed for the 109-acre site between North Barrington and Hawthorn Woods where an ultimately rejected plan for a regional shopping mall sparked war between the villages 16 years ago. But unlike the controversial Taubman proposal of 1996 that was finally settled by a highly restrictive boundary agreement, the land's owners are now bypassing the villages and taking the new proposal directly to Lake County. Full story.

Original charges dropped against Elgin cop in Michigan case

All three of the original charges against an Elgin police officer accused of assault and battery as well as resisting and obstructing an officer in Michigan have been dropped, officials said yesterday. Lance Adams III, 50, of Huntley pleaded no contest to one final misdemeanor charge, attempted resisting and obstructing an officer, in Muskegon County. His attorney, David Shafer, said the offense means next to nothing in Michigan. “The way the statute is written in Michigan, a police officer can literally tell you to come here or go there and if you don't do it in a reasonable amount of time, that's considered resisting,” Shafer said. Full story

Weather

This time last year, I woke up to snow piled halfway up a sliding glass door on my back porch and I had to open the front door and shovel my way out of the house. Today, hardly a speck of snow is on the ground after a week of above average temperatures melted it all away. Temperatures are planning to continue to be in the upper 40s for the day, with a low of about 35 degrees when you head out. Also, be careful, the National Weather Service is reporting freezing fog out west in McHenry, Kane and DuPage counties. Remember what you had to do a year ago during the Blizzard of 2011? Tell us about it.Click here and leave your comment. Full weather.

Traffic

No major delays are being reported on area highways early this morning and no accidents to report. People should remember to avoid taking Benton Street in Aurora this week. It's been shut down until Monday, Feb, 6, due to the Downer Place Bridge Project. Full traffic.

Sixers got up for last night's game, Bulls didn't

To the Bulls, it seemed like they treated this game as merely the third stop of a long road trip, while feeling the strain of two missing starters. For Philadelphia, it was the Super Bowl. The 76ers up to last night had played the league's softest schedule based on opponents' winning percentage. So with the Bulls in town, the team and the city were ready. In front of a full house, a rare sight in Philadelphia the past four years or so, the Sixers dominated the third quarter and rolled to a 98-82 victory. Full story.

Dan Hampton's pick for the Super Bowl? Not the Patriots

Four years ago former Bear Dan Hampton dared to pick the New York Giants over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Guess what he's doing again? Barry Rozner reports.