Dawn Patrol: Wheaton soldier dies in Afghanistan
<h3 class="briefHead">Wheaton soldier dies a month after roadside bomb</h3>
A 2010 Wheaton North High School graduate, who enlisted in the Army the summer of his graduation, died Saturday from injuries sustained in Afghanistan last month. U.S. Army Spc. Samuel Watts was 20. His unit was hit by a roadside bomb April 25, and it instantly killed one other serviceman and injured a handful of others, including Watts. Friends and family are remembering him as a fearless young man who wanted to serve the country. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Defense Secretary Panetta visits North Chicago facility</h3>
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited North Chicago yesterday after the close of the NATO summit to tour the one-of-a-kind health care facility that has been serving Navy personnel and military veterans since 2010. Panetta said the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center is an example of how the military and Department of Veterans Affairs can work together. “This facility is helping us chart the course for the future,” said Panetta, who was joined by VA Secretary Eric Shinseki on the tour. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Search uncovers ‘fighting’ roosters, illegal weapons, pot plants, cash</h3>
A SWAT team’s search of a McHenry County man’s rural residence uncovered “fighting equipped” roosters, unlicensed guns, marijuana plants, two dead hawks and nearly $90,000 in cash Saturday, police said. The resident had been convicted of possession of marijuana less than a year ago, according to court documents. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Defendant in car surfing case pleads guilty to lesser charges</h3>
A 20-year-old originally charged with involuntary manslaughter after a car surfing accident that killed his friend has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and will serve 180 days plus two years of probation. Stephen D. Gallagher of Schaumburg faced serious time before pleading guilty to the lesser charges, which were accepted by a McHenry County judge yesterday. Gallagher was driving his vehicle with Austin Watts on the roof when Watts fell off and hit his head on the pavement. He died two days later. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">U-46 students to be offered breakfast options</h3>
Students in Elgin Area School District U-46 will be able to buy breakfast from carts at all middle and high schools starting next year, in a move that teachers hope will improve students’ performance. “We want kids to perform better and research shows that students who eat breakfast perform better,” said the district’s director of food services. Students will be able to buy items such as milk, cereal, breakfast bars and juice during study hall hours. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Cops: Man stabbed on Schaumburg sidewalk</h3>
Schaumburg police are looking for a suspect who stabbed another man on the sidewalk outside a currency exchange last night. Police said the two men got into an altercation inside the business near the intersection of South Roselle Road and Hartford Drive just before 6 p.m., and the suspect stabbed the other man in the chest one time. The victim suffered serious injuries. Police said they knew the suspect’s identity but had not located him. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">New electric provider to offer Gurnee cheaper power</h3>
Gurnee residents will soon be able to buy electricity for nearly half of what ComEd will begin charging in July. The village voted in favor of approving a one-year contract with FirstEnergy Solutions last night. The utility charges 4.4 cents per kilowatt hour. ComEd’s rate of 7.73 cents per kilowatt hour will rise to 8.5 cents in July. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Weather</h3>
It’s 50 degrees right now, but temperatures are expected to rise to about 70 degrees this afternoon. Temperatures will dip back to 48 degrees, but no rain throughout the day to worry about. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Traffic</h3>
No early accidents are out there to report, and nothing is slowing things down as of yet. Track repair are blocking the railroad crossing on Butterfield Road north of Route 60 in Vernon Hills. Due to the closure, traffic will be unable to get between Allanson Rd and Route 60. A detour has been put in place on Route 45. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Cubs lose 7th straight</h3>
The Cubs’ skid reached a season-long seven games, Jason Castro and Chris Johnson each hit three-run homers and Bud Norris threw seven scoreless innings to give the Houston Astros an 8-4 victory over the slumping Cubs on Monday night. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">By the way, Sox signed a third baseman</h3>
Wondering why the White Sox signed Orlando Hudson to play third base? Sox writer Scot Gregor looks at all the angles, from Hudson having to move from second base to third, to Brent Morel’s back injury to other options if Hudson doesn’t make an impact. Full story.