Dawn Patrol: Cops praised for heroism; pit bull attacks mail carrier
How Island Lake cops' heroic actions saved lives
Island Lake police officer Gilbert Hueramo is a one-man ambulance, always prepared for the worst. On all calls, he carries two tourniquets, three battle dressings, tampons to plug holes, a “chest seal” — bandage for entrance and exit wounds — and shears to cut clothing. The worst happened early Oct. 16 when a man opened fire through the door of his Holiday Hills home, wounding two McHenry County sheriff's deputies answering a domestic dispute call. Full story.
Pit bull attacks mail carrier in Carpentersville
A mail carrier was taken to the hospital after she was attacked Thursday by a pit bull in Carpentersville, police said. The dog broke through a screen door, according to a news release from police. Full story.
Carol Stream man gets 35 years for sexual assaults
A DuPage County judge Thursday sentenced a Carol Stream man to 35 years in prison for sexually abusing and taking lewd photographs of his longtime girlfriend's young daughter. A jury deliberated for less than two hours in April before finding Joel Augustine, 36, guilty of two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, three counts of criminal sexual assault of a child and one count of child pornography. Full story.
$1 million lottery ticket sold in Elmhurst
An Elmhurst gas station sold a $1 million winning Mega Million lottery ticket, but the winner has not yet come forward. The winner bought his or her ticket using the Quick Pick system at Minutemen Citgo, 218 E. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst, according to a release from the Illinois Lottery. Full story.
Suit: Teacher's firing from Dist. 300 retaliatory
A former first-grade teacher at a West Dundee school claims in a lawsuit she was fired after complaining that a special needs student was hurting other students and no one attempted to stop it. Jeanette Runge is suing Community Unit District 300, the school board and Dundee Highlands Elementary Principal Patricia Schmidt, seeking damages under the state's Whistleblower Act. Full story.
Top skating stars compete this weekend at Sears Centre
The year after a Winter Olympics is a building block for figure skaters. Sure, there's pressure to succeed, just nothing like what the athletes went through heading toward the Sochi Games. Suburban native Gracie Gold will join fellow Olympians Jason Brown, of Highland Park, and Jeremy Abbott at Skate America Friday through Sunday at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Full story.
Bears offense struggling with identity crisis
Probably the only way the Bears can keep their postseason hopes alive after a 3-4 start is for their offense to start playing up to the high expectations it had entering the season. The problem is, despite its high payroll and numerous collective Pro Bowls, the Bears' offense ranks just 17th in yards and 18th in points. Read Bob LeGere's take here.
Wheeling Special Olympian bowls perfect game
A suburban Special Olympian is celebrating a perfect score she achieved during a recent bowling tournament. Valerie Gagilano, a Wheeling resident and member of Northwest Special Recreation Association, bowled a 300 at the 2014 Northeast Sectional Bowling Tournament held Oct. 19 in Addison, according to Special Olympics Illinois spokeswoman Alexandra McMillin. Full story.
Two-goal deficit too much for Hawks
The Blackhawks had the start nor the final result they were looking for in Nashville. Despite a swarmy third period, they fell 3-2 to the Predators. Read Mike Spellman's take here.