Dawn Patrol: Murder trial continues; deadly mastiff attack
11-year-old witness describes mom’s death at murder trial
Testimony in the murder trial of Heriberto Ramirez continues today after Ramirez’s 11-year-old daughter testified Wednesday that she was “sitting there scared” during the early morning hours of Feb. 14, 2011. She said she heard her parents fighting before her mother, Alicia Ramirez, was stabbed to death in the couple’s home near Des Plaines. Full story.
Sheriff: Mastiff mauls, kills Big Rock woman
A 44-year-old firefighter found dead in her Big Rock home this week was attacked and killed by her male adult mastiff, one of three dogs in her home, authorities said yesterday. Rescue crews were called Monday afternoon to the home of Dawn Brown. Brown, a veteran firefighter/paramedic at the Bristol Kendall Fire Protection District in Yorkville, was found by her husband in the basement of the home at about 4:15 p.m. Monday, Kane County sheriff’s department spokesman Pat Gengler said. Full story
Plan to disband Winfield Police Department dropped
A highly controversial plan to have the DuPage County sheriff’s office take over police protection in Winfield has been scrapped. Winfield Trustee Tim Allen said he was notified yesterday by the sheriff’s office that it’s not interested in participating in the outsourcing proposal, which village officials were considering to raise money to fix the town’s deteriorating streets. Full story.
Every student in Gurnee District 56 to receive an iPad
All 2,250 students — from prekindergarten through eighth grade — in Gurnee Elementary District 56 will receive an iPad during specific rollout nights starting Dec. 5. Superintendent John Huston, who reviewed a handbook governing the iPads’ use at home and school at a meeting last night, says being among the trailblazers with such an initiative has risks, but it’s worth it. Full story.
Carpentersville takes peek at Walmart site plan
Carpentersville trustees have been presented with a preliminary concept plan for an 180,000-square-foot Walmart scheduled to open in 2015 on the south side of Lake Marian Road between Besinger Drive and Route 25. Wal-Mart has plans to close its 21-year-old store in East Dundee to open the larger one in Carpentersville on property that’s owned by the Besinger family. Full story.
Feed My Starving Children opens center in Libertyville
The Minneapolis-based Christian nonprofit Feed My Starving Children opened a new 18,000-square-foot facility in Libertyville yesterday. The “super site,” which was opened as part of a plan to double the organization’s overall production within two years, will be used to package meals that are distributed to orphanages, schools, clinics and other facilities in 70 countries worldwide. Full story.
Geneva teachers ratify contract
The Geneva Education Association members ratified a new three-year contract yesterday. While union President Carol Young would not say how many voted in favor, she said the tally exceeded the two-thirds majority required to pass. Full story.
Elgin approves moratorium on cutting trees
The City of Elgin is taking steps to catch up to its peers when it comes to regulating tree preservation. City council members last night approved a three-month moratorium on tree removal — a time period that will allow for a public hearing before the planning and zoning commission and subsequent consideration of the proposed tree preservation ordinance by the council. The moratorium is meant to prohibit property owners from cutting down trees in anticipation of the restrictions. Full story
Glen Ellyn man cleans desk, finds $1 million winning lottery ticket
A Glen Ellyn man received $1 million in lottery winnings yesterday after noticing he won on a ticket that had been sitting on his desk for two months. According to a news release from the Illinois Lottery, Ron Yurcus, a retired hospice chaplain and 45-year resident of the village, discovered the winning Powerball ticket from an Aug. 22 drawing a few weeks ago. Full story
Weather
It will be cold as you head out this morning, so people should bundle up. Temperatures will be 32 degrees when you leave this morning, then increase to 49 degrees this afternoon. Temperatures will dip back to 35 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Roadwork continues in Naperville on Book Road between 87th Street and 111th Street. Please use caution. Full story.
NIU wins MAC West by beating Toledo
The Huskies, led by junior Jordan Lynch, defeated Toledo 31-24 at Huskie Stadium last night to give NIU its third straight MAC West title. Full story.
Bulls beat Suns 112-106 in overtime
It all fell apart during a nightmarish final 15 minutes, but Joakim Noah set things right in overtime and the Bulls escaped with a 112-106 victory. Full story.