Dawn Patrol: Itasca man killed in explosion; heroin arrest
<h3 class="briefHead">Police identify Arlington Heights explosion victim as Itasca man</h3>
Investigators are headed back to an Arlington Heights factory this morning to attempt to figure out what caused an explosion that killed an Itasca man and injured 12 other people Tuesday morning. Neil Nicholson of Itasca, an employee at Arens Controls, was killed in the explosion, according to police. Three police officers and two firefighters were among the injured. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Drug suspect ditched heroin, caught after chase at Yorktown mall</h3>
Two men face charges of attempting to sell more than a kilogram of heroin after a high-speed chase that ended with a suspect being caught pacing in the lobby of a Yorktown Center mall restaurant. A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent saw the suspect leave a Des Plaines residence and remove an item from his waistband. During a traffic stop, the man took off swerving in and out of lanes on I-88, police said. He ditched police, but a tap on the man’s phone indicated he was at Famous Dave’s restaurant. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Sen. Kirk meets with president of Poland</h3>
Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski extended his stay after the NATO summit to visit his friend U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk at Kirk’s downtown office Tuesday. The Polish president awarded Kirk an honor bestowed upon foreigners or Polish citizens abroad in recognition of distinguished contributions to the Polish nation. It was the first time Kirk held a meeting in his office since his Jan. 21 stroke. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Lawsuit claims Antioch Rescue Squad members harassed women</h3>
Three women are suing the Antioch Rescue Squad, claiming they were sexually harassed and saw rescuers tending to patients while intoxicated during a four-year period. One plaintiff claimed she had her pants pulled down in front of co-workers, while another claimed pictures of her chest were placed in shared work stations. The attorney for the squad denied the claims. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Report: Drunken driver ignored cops for 5 miles on Randall Road</h3>
A South Elgin man was caught with an opened vodka bottle in his vehicle and was playing with a tiny Shih Tzu-type puppy in his front seat for 5 miles after an officer turned on his lights and sirens Sunday afternoon, according to police. The man nearly struck a number of vehicles on Randall Road in St. Charles during the pursuit and ignored the squad, according to police. He then tried to drive away and spit in the officer’s face as the two struggled for the keys to the ignition, according to police. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Weather</h3>
Gorgeous day on tap, with a high of 81 degrees this afternoon. It starts chilly with temperatures only at about 49 degrees, then dipping back to 51 degrees, but the skies will be clear and sunny. Enjoy. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Traffic</h3>
Police and rescue workers are on the scene of an accident in Buffalo Grove at Route and Old McHenry Road, as well as Route 83 and Route 173 in Antioch. Motorists are urged to avoid Center Street west of Route 83 at the Grayslake railroad tracks. That street is closed for construction. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Long night for Floyd, White Sox</h3>
Hoping to extend their winning streak to a season-high five, the White Sox lost 9-2 to the Twins, who came in with the worst record in the American League (14-27). “We just got kicked today,” manager Robin Ventura said after last night’s game. “We got our (butt) kicked. And that’s it.” Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Cubs lose eighth straight</h3>
Aside from a solo home run by Alfonso Soriano, the Cubs couldn’t push more runs across and fell to the Houston Astros by a final score of 2-1 late Tuesday night. Full story.