Dawn Patrol: Des Plaines hazing forum; 2% teacher raises in Naperville
Des Plaines forum stresses vigilance against hazing
A community forum on hazing and bullying held last night in Des Plaines in response to the hazing of soccer players last September at Maine West High School drew a sparse audience of fewer than 50 local residents but prompted a surprise appearance by activists on the issue from Indiana and Georgia. “I didn’t come to speak,” said Pam Champion, the mother of Robert Champion, a Florida A&M band student who died after being beaten in a hazing ritual. “Any school that tells you that they have everything under control, they’re lying.” Full story.
Naperville Dist 203 teachers getting 2 percent raises
A three-year contract finalized by Naperville Unit District 203 board members last night amounts to an approximate 2 percent increase in each of the next three years for the district’s 1,300 teachers. Board members and representatives from the Naperville Unit Education Association praised the deal that also includes an emphasis on a new professional development model for teachers who have earned their master’s degrees. Full story.
St. Charles teachers get 2.8 raises
St. Charles Unit District 303 teachers will get their first raise in two years in August after approval of a new three-year contract by the school board. The deal provides raises of 2.8 percent in each year of the contract. Financial forecasts show the new contract equates to $1.72 million in additional salary expenses each year, or $5.17 million in new expenses for the length of the contract. Full story.
Woodstock man gets 50 years for murder
A 28-year-old Woodstock man was sentenced to 50 years in prison yesterday in the May 2011 shooting death of a former court security officer and Island Lake bar owner. McHenry County prosecutors argued during a trial earlier this year that Timothy Smith staged a crime scene after gunning down Kurt Milliman, 48. Smith was pimping out his wife and Milliman had answered an online ad to have sex with her at the couple’s home. Full story.
Did Lake County sheriff’s chief quit or get fired?
Lake County sheriff’s office Chief Wayne Hunter has resigned in the wake of an internal memo that reiterated how the top brass are supposed to work as equals, according to his boss. But the version from Sheriff Mark Curran is not what happened, according to Hunter. ”Mark Curran decided to end my relationship with the sheriff’s office,” Hunter said in an email. Full story.
Lincolnshire boy 2nd in National Geographic Bee
A seventh-grader from Lake County placed second in the 25th annual National Geographic Bee yesterday in Washington. Conrad Oberhaus, 13, a student at Daniel Wright Junior High in Lincolnshire, earned a $15,000 college scholarship for his effort. In the contest, students answer questions about history, world cultures, landmarks and climates. Full story.
District 211 leader set to retire in 2014
After working for Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 for more than 30 years, Superintendent Nancy Robb is set to retire at the end of next school year. A representative from the consulting firm School Exec Connect will present options regarding a search for the next superintendent at tonight’s board of education meeting. Full story.
Owners of Lisle-based firm accused of fraud
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint May 16 in federal court alleging Charles J. Dushek of Warrenville, his son Charles S. Dushek of Wheaton and their Lisle-based firm, Capital Management Associates Inc., ran a fraudulent “cherry-picking” scheme and committed other violations that provided them $2 million in illicit profits. Full story.
Turnquist retires as longest-serving male teacher in U-46
With 41 years in the classroom, Jerry Turnquist will retire as the longest-serving male teacher in Elgin Area School District U-46 history. That’s confirmed by Elgin historian Mike Alft, whom Turnquist will unseat as the recordholder by just a couple months — though Turnquist admits Alft actually taught for longer, just not all in U-46. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and cool with a light drizzle to start the morning today. High temperatures will only reach 56 degrees this afternoon, then plummet to 42 degrees overnight tonight. Full weather.
Traffic
Slick roads from the overnight rain are greeting motorists early, so please use caution when out there this morning. Construction is continuing in Aurora on Austin Avenue over Indian Creek. The work is expected to last through May. Full traffic.
Cubs lose to Pirates
Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering 2 hits over 7 innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Cubs 1-0 last night. Liriano struck out 9 and walked just one to remain unbeaten since making his season debut against the New York Mets two weeks ago. Mark Melancon survived a bumpy ninth inning for his first save of the season. Full story.
Santiago steps up on short notice for White Sox
Working on just three days rest, Hector Santiago was wobbly in the first inning against Boston, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, 1 walk and a hit batter. It wasn’t looking good early, but Santiago found a groove in the second inning and he rode it through the sixth. Despite Santiago’s heroics, the Red Sox came out on top 6-2 at U.S. Cellular Field while avoiding a three-game sweep. Full story.