Dawn Patrol: Deal reached at Arlington Park; police find 82 pounds of pot
<h3 class="briefHead">Horse racing will start as planned</h3>
An agreement reached late Wednesday after a marathon negotiating session means there will be racing on Opening Day Friday at Arlington Park — albeit with greatly reduced field sizes — and that fans who attend the races on Saturday will have the ability to wager on the Kentucky Derby. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Cops: Driver caught with 82 pounds of pot on I-90</h3>
A 62-year-old Washington man is being held in lieu of $1.1 million bail after police found 84 pounds of pot in a pickup he was driving, officials said. A Kane County sheriff’s deputy spotted the pickup truck speeding and following another vehicle too closely on I-90 near Elgin Tuesday afternoon, according to police, who estimated the wholesale value of the drugs at $250,000. Full story.
Historic Fox Lake building is on eBay auction block
The historic Fox Lake building that was famous for being a weekend retreat for mobster Al Capone, is up for national auction on eBay. The Mineola Lounge and Marina, located on the shores of Fox Lake, was listed Wednesday with a starting bid of $2 million. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Palatine students on hand for naturalization ceremony</h3>
Hundreds of Palatine junior high students filled a gym Wednesday to witness 26 men and women from 18 countries pledge allegiance to their adoptive country. The naturalization ceremonies at Winston Campus Junior High were just the second time an Illinois school has hosted such an event. “I thought this could be an intensely powerful experience for our students while also tying in various lessons in the curriculum,” Assistant Principal Scott Scafidi said. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Batavia officer disciplined for crash that injured 3</h3>
A Batavia police investigation found that a March 30 crash between a squad car and a pickup was “avoidable and preventable,” and an officer received a 1½-day unpaid suspension as discipline. Police said the squad’s lights and sirens were not activated when officer Scott Mercil struck a pickup truck with a 25-year-old man, a 20-year-old woman and a 2-year-old girl inside. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Longtime leader of Alexian Brothers dies</h3>
Brother Philip Kennedy, who led Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village for 14 years and had a significant influence on Catholic health care in the United States, died last night. Kennedy, who was a staple not only around the hospital, but also in the community, was 83. “He really did make you feel like you were very important to the organization and what you were doing for the brothers,” said Joan Scheffler, assistant vice president of the Alexian Brothers Foundation. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Suburban nurses descend on Springfield:</h3>
Many suburban nurses were in Springfield Wednesday in an effort to persuade state lawmakers not to cut funds that the state sends hospitals and nursing homes the help cover care for the poor. Nurses said cuts to major specialty services could follow. “Programs will go before care will go,” said Sandy Cebrij, a nurse at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. “You’re shipping them all around the state to other hospitals.” Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Weather</h3>
Beautiful day to start out, but then potential heavy storms and violent weather could roll in later this afternoon or evening. First, its warm at 72 degrees as you head out the door, with temperatures rising to 85 degrees by this afternoon. The storms are expected to roll in art about 8 p.m. pushing temperatures back down to about the mid-60s. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Traffic</h3>
The right lane of east Schaumburg Road near Braintree Drive in Schaumburg is shut down due to a crash, while authorities are cleaning up a second accident at Schick Road and Mayflower Lane near Carol Stream. Motorists are urged to avoid delays at Burr Road between Bolcum Road and Silver Glen Road in St Charles where a bridge replacement is taking place through August. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Samardzija continues to pitch well, and Cubs win</h3>
Jeff Samardzija worked 7 solid innings last night on an extra day of rest. The Cubs capitalized on his strong start, beating the Reds 3-1 in Cincinnati. “I’m just going to stay on my toes here,” Samardzija told reporters. “When they tell me I can pitch and they let me loose, then I’m going to go pitch.” Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">White Sox drop another one </h3>
Sox starter Philip Humber took the mound only one day after his wife gave birth to their first trial, but he struggled through 6 innings of work, giving up 3 runs. But the bullpen allowed three runs after Humber came out, and the Sox dropped the game by a final score of 6-3. Full story.