Dawn Patrol: Is Woodstock Willie ever right?
Should we believe Woodstock Willie's prediction?
Woodstock Willie the groundhog yesterday predicted an early spring. But no one is quite sure if the animal really predicts anything correctly. Rick Bellairs, a member of Woodstock's Groundhog Day committee, said they don't keep track of whether Willie's predictions are right. Full story.
Four suburban restaurants affected by credit card data breach
Those who may have dined at four suburban restaurants in 2014 and 2015 should be on the lookout for unauthorized charges due to a credit card data breach, officials said. The restaurants are Claim Jumper in Lombard, Morton's in Schaumburg, Rainforest Cafe at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, and McCormick & Schmick's in Oak Brook. Full story.
Driver flees after hitting Fox Lake house
A car struck a house and its gas meter yesterday in Fox Lake, causing a gas leak, before the driver fled the scene, authorities said. An ambulance coming back from the scene was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle minutes later, but it's unclear if the two incidents are related. Full story.
Federal lawsuit alleges DuPage County jailers ignored man's fatal heroin withdrawal
A DuPage County man has filed a federal lawsuit alleging DuPage County jailers ignored his son's signs of heroin withdrawal and let him die in custody. Totuccio Ceraulo's suit was filed less than a month after his 21-year-old son, Sebastiano Ceraulo, was found dead inside the DuPage County Jail. Full story.
Geneva woman accused of killing husband with sleeping pills
A Geneva woman accused of poisoning her husband with a sleeping pill has been charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors say Julia L. Gutierrez, 53, put the prescription drug Temazepam into a beverage and gave it to her husband, Eduardo Gutierrez. Police found Eduardo Gutierrez dead Jan. 28 after someone called for a well-being check. Full story.
Island Lake man accused of drug-induced homicide
An Island Lake man has been charged in the overdose death of a Mundelein man in December. Joseph W. Crisara III, 28, was charged yesterday with drug-induced homicide more than a month after the death of 27-year-old Jason Erickson. Erickson was found unresponsive in his bedroom by relatives late Dec. 26. Full story.
Wheeling OKs early Town Center plans, wants it built quickly
Wheeling trustees have approved preliminary site plans for the $100 million Wheeling Town Center project, but they say they want construction to move quickly on a project that's faced several hurdles. The transit-oriented project includes the 38,000-square-foot movie theater and brewpub, Flix Brewhouse, plus 60,000 square feet of retail space and a village plaza with outdoor amenities. Full story.
Two College of DuPage meetings scheduled on same night — again
For a third time, trustees on the deeply divided College of DuPage board have scheduled two meetings on the same night. The meetings will start at different times tonight, but the agenda is the same. It is unclear if all six trustees will be at either meeting. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and only 40 degrees today, with snow showers possible this afternoon. Temperatures will be 38 degrees when you head out the door, then dip to 23 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Intersection widening and reconstruction work is scheduled to cause restrictions in all directions at Algonquin and Barrington roads in South Barrington until May. Full story.
Changes don't derail Blackhawks
The mishmashed, jumbled and reconfigured Hawks lineup — for one night anyway — got off to a blazing start and were able to hold on for a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Jonathan Toews was suspended for one game for missing the All-Star Game on Sunday. Full story.