Dawn Patrol: Flood cleanup time; Wheeling bids farewell to Abruscato
Lake County waters crest
Floodwaters from the Chain O’ Lakes crested yesterday at nearly 3 feet of water over flood stage, allowing for the cleanup and repair of thousands of area homes to begin. Despite the 430,000 sandbags filled to protect businesses and homes, more than 4,000 properties were damaged, officials say. Full story.
Des Plaines tries to start cleaning up
Cleanup of debris in the aftermath of the Des Plaines River flooding began in earnest yesterday in Des Plaines as city crews worked to get trash receptacles in place at key locations for residents to discard their storm-damaged belongings. Now 2,000 homes are estimated to be damaged. Full story.
Judy Abruscato bows out in Wheeling
Abruscato bid farewell to one of her jobs last night, leading her last official meeting as Wheeling’s village president after 26 years in public service. Against her expressed wishes the board presented her with a proclamation and standing ovation, declared May 6 Judy Abruscato Day, and named the room where the board meets in executive session after her. Full story.
More evidence in Aurora murder case
Search warrants in the death of Abigail “Aby” Villalpando have recovered more evidence against the three young men who have been charged with her death. Evidence found by police include numerous spots of what police believe is red blood all over shoes and clothing. Full story.
Arlington Hts. company fined for explosion
An Arlington Heights company paid more than $26,000 in fines after an explosion in 2012 killed one person and injured 17 others. The explosion took place at Arens Controls, 3602 Kennicott Ave., in an electronics testing area. Full story.
Barrington library renovation gets thumbs-up
An $8.7 million renovation of the Barrington Area Public Library got the green light last night by the library’s board of trustees. The renovation is expected to better use space and help adapt to the use of modern devices like tablets and e-books, as well as some noticeable changes to the exterior. Full story.
Elgin man heads to court
An Elgin man is facing multiple felony charges after he was accused of firing a gun during a bar fight early Saturday morning appears in a Rolling Meadows courtroom today. Jamal Cook was charged after the altercation that took place in the parking lot of The Snuggery in Schaumburg. Full story.
Geneva switches Batavia kids’ school
A neighborhood of Batavia children will attends a different elementary school, the Geneva school board decided last night. The children in the Batavia Highlands subdivision attend Williamsburg Elementary. In the fall, they’ll attend Western Avenue Elementary school. Full story.
Weather
The shifting weather has shifted to cold one more time. It will be cloudy and 53 degrees as you head out the door this morning, but temperatures will only climb to 55 degrees this afternoon and rain will accompany it throughout the evening. Temperatures will dip back to 35 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Flooding continues in numerous areas, specifically in Des Plaines, Gurnee, Lincolnshire and Fox Lake. People are urged to avoid washed out areas and not drive through standing water. Full traffic.
Bulls beat the Nets
The Bulls beat the Brooklyn Nets 90-82 last night to tie the first-round series at one game each. Carlos Boozer had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Joakim Noah played with foot injury to make three baskets in the fourth quarter. Full story.
Different Canucks goalie beats Hawks this time
A big part of the Blackhawks-Vancouver rivalry was missing last night in Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, who has lost his starting job to Cory Schneider. “I think Luongo is a big piece of the rivalry, maybe front and center for a lot of fans,” Patrick Kane told Blackhawks TV before the game. “They get on him, especially in Chicago, but Schneider is a great goaltender, too.” Yeah, Schneider and the Canucks beat the Hawks 3-1. Full story.