Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news
Say it ain't so, MLB
The prospect of betting parlors at major sports stadiums in Illinois gives some of us pause. Wouldn't it be hypocritical for Major League Baseball, which since the days of Shoeless Joe has viewed players' wagering on games as a sin worthy of banishment, to permit gambling at Wrigley or Guaranteed Rate Field?
Encore!
A tip of the baton to the Wheaton Municipal Band, which reached two milestones Thursday when it opened its 90th season and celebrated 40 years with Bruce Moss as its director. Sweet music to our ears.
Officer survival
Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steven Casstevens says he'll make suicide prevention among cops a priority as president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. "Emotional survival," he says, is just as important as training cops to survive confrontations. He's right. More cops have been dying each year from suicide than all other line-of-duty causes combined.
Jeopardy letdown
So, that's it? We've watched James Holzhauer's amazing Jeopardy run over 32 games and we don't even get to see him break the 15-year record? Bummer. The former Naperville resident fell $58,485 short of quiz show history. But don't feel too bad for Holzhauer - he pockets more than $2.46 million during his time in the spotlight.
Lights, camera, action
Law enforcement is serious business. But that doesn't mean spreading important information about public safety has to be boring or staid. Aurora police Officer Chris Weaver proves that several times a week with his fun, but also informative, videos shot behind the wheel of his patrol vehicle. We're look forward to seeing more from Officer Weaver.
School's out ...
... and so are kids. Use extra care while driving and watch for children on bikes, around parks and in every neighborhood.
Fill 'er up. Now.
News that gas prices are running a dime per gallon below last summer's prices came just as Illinois lawmakers agreed to boost gasoline taxes by 19 cents a gallon beginning July 1. Enjoy the short-lived savings.
It's about the kids
Remember the summer afternoons of long ago when kids would head outside to play pickup games of kickball, catch, basketball or soccer? When playing a sport was a true joy? Nowadays, in the regimented, high-stakes world of youth sports, many kids have lost that freedom because of long practice hours and year-round play. This summer, don't forget to let kids be kids.
Score one for the panda
The founder of the Little Boots Rodeo has abandoned efforts to bring a live panda to Elk Grove Village and will donate the money raised so far to the District 59 Educational Foundation. No matter how well-meaning, there is no way that dragging a panda halfway around the world was going to be good for the animal. This is for the best.
Winding down
In advance of the Daily Herald's annual Prep Sports Excellence awards night at the Sears Centre June 13, this is the final weekend of the high school sports season. St. Francis, St. Charles East and Huntley are vying for a state title in softball; St. Charles North, Montini and Hampshire are doing the same in baseball. Good luck to them, and congratulations to all our high school teams and athletes.