Dawn Patrol: Stevenson dean resigns, penny sells for $1 million
Stevenson dean facing texting allegations resigns
A Stevenson High School dean who was under investigation for sending “inappropriate” text messages to a student has resigned. The school board accepted the 13-year employee’s resignation last night. The man, who was a dean of students, is not expected to be charged. A district spokesman said the dean had been suspended this week before turning in his resignation letter Wednesday. Full story. Full story.
Penny sells for $1 million in Schaumburg auction
The Holy Grail of coins was auctioned off last night in Schaumburg for a cool $1 million. Nobody at the actual live action bid, because online bidders pushed the price up to $1 million before the auction began. The 1792-dated U.S. “experimental” penny is one of only about 25 coins that have sold for $1 million or more. The coin is a prototype designed when the U.S. Mint was created in 1792. Full story.
Deputies nab McHenry’s No. 6 most wanted criminal
No. 6 on the McHenry County sheriff’s most wanted list was arrested Wednesday at his residence in Chicago. Octavio Nunez, 37, was wanted by federal I.C.E. agents, and several local authorities for a number of crimes including criminal sexual abuse and illegal re-entry to the United States. Nunez attacked an Elgin woman in late 2010 after posing as a stranded pedestrian needing a ride to a hotel. Full story.
Chin’s to close in Arlington Heights
A long-standing Arlington Heights restaurant that grew to be a staple of downtown is closing. Chin’s Restaurant opened in 1958 when Chinese food was considered exotic in the area, but a more recent owner says business is down 40 to 50 percent. The village’s business and development coordinator said the restaurant was too big, and he was working with the owners to find another place appropriate for a food business that is mostly carryout. Full story.
Homeowner remains in hospital after Arlington Heights fire
A massive fire that destroyed an Arlington Heights home Wednesday night remains under investigation, and officials said the homeowner who was injured remained hospitalized last night. Officials believe the a liquid or epoxy used to patch a hole in the wall produced flammable fumes and exploded in the basement. The firefighter who was injured in a flashover situation was released from the hospital Wednesday night. Full story.
Trustee claims Lake Zurich president violated meetings act
A Lake Zurich village trustee is alleging that Village President Suzanne Branding violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act during the “Lake Zurich Industrial Zoning Roundtable.” Trustee Rich Sustich says the meeting was illegal because it intends to change the zoning code without public notice. Full story.
Weather
Spotty showers and cool today with highs only reaching about 50 degrees. It’s about 48 degrees right now, and will reach about 50 by noon. Temperatures will then drop to about 38 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
An accident at County Farm and Ontarioville roads near Hanover Park is slowing things up, but the weather is also playing havoc with travel times. Heavy delays are showing up on both the inbound and outbound lanes of I-90, I-290 and I-55. Officials are also warning that slick roads still exist due to the rain and cooler temperatures, and motorists are urged to slow down. Expect periodic delays and closures on Lake Cook Road between Wilmot Road and Pfingsten Road in Deerfield due to construction that will last through May 11. Full story.
Blackhawks in a must-win situation now
Call it what you want, but it happened again to the Blackhawks, this time in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series against Phoenix. In a game where they battled back from a 2-0 deficit midway through the third period to tie it up with less than a minute and a half remaining, the game went to overtime and the Coyotes came away victorious. Now it’s do or die for the Hawks now as they’re down 3-1 in the series. Full story.
Heat get a little rough on the Bulls
With a chance to tighten the race for the Eastern Conference lead, Miami used some roughhouse tactics during an 83-72 victory over the Bulls last night at American Airlines Arena. The game featured two flagrant fouls by the Heat, one ejection and a nasty blindside screen. “Every time we play them that’s how it’s going to be,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. Full story.
Cubs, Sox lose.
The Cubs dropped their fifth straight after being swept by the Miami Marlins by a score of 5-3 Thursday, while the Sox also ended up on the losing end of a 5-3 loss to the Orioles. View Bruce Miles’ Cubs full story, or Scot Gregors full story about the Sox.
Poll Vault: How long have you been where you work?
On average nationally, a person stays with the same employer 4.4 years. Workers in the public sector stay on the job nearly twice as long as private-sector employees: 7.2 years vs. 4.0 years. How long have you been with your employer? Have you switched jobs recently, or are you looking to? Leave a comment with Michelle Holdway’s Poll Vault.
Broadcast personalities to write Daily Herald baseball columns
The Daily Herald’s Major League Baseball coverage will be boosted by three major broadcast personalities this season, Editor John Lampinen announced last night. Matt Spiegel, who partners with Barry Rozner on WSCR 670-AM the Score’s “Hit and Run,” will write a weekly Sunday morning column from Chicago’s vantage point. Cubs play-by-play broadcaster Len Kasper will answer readers’ questions in a weekly question-and-answer column, and WSCR 670-AM the Score’s White Sox analyst Chris Rongey will do the same from a Sox standpoint. Full story.