Dawn Patrol: Quick hits as you head out the door
Breaking news
An Algonquin man is being held in behind bars after being charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Raymond M. Kasper, 48, is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail, of which he must post 10 percent. Police officials said the incident between Kasper assaulted the under 13-year-old victim in mid-October.
It's 11-11-11
One may be the loneliest number, but when it's surrounded by five of its brethren today on 11-11-11, it looks downright crowded. Damon Becker of Aurora turns 11 today. "Whoa, that's so cool," his friends say. A numerologist (and former Chicago Bear) is excited, too. Mathematicians, um, not so much. :http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111111/news/711119920/">Full story.
Metra fare increase looks imminent
It looks like a Metra fare hike is on the way after a vote today, costing riders about 30 percent more to buy a monthly pass or 10-ride ticket starting in February. The board of directors has not voted yet, but several members indicated they will vote for a 2012 budget today that includes the hike. A 10-ride pass from Chicago to Arlington Heights, for example, would jump from $36.55 to $47.25. Full story.
Suburban Penn State students describe campus atmosphere
Multiple Penn State students from the suburbs who witnessed the riots after the announcement that Joe Paterno had been fired Wednesday night said they were ashamed by their peers' flipping a news truck and wreaking havoc in the streets. #8220;People were hanging from streetlights like monkeys and tipping (and) destroying cars,#8221; said Kristin Zacks, a 2009 Libertyville High School graduate. #8220;It was unlike anything I have ever seen.#8221; Full story.
79 infected with whooping cough in McHenry County
The whooping cough outbreak in McHenry County has reached 79 people, health officials confirmed yesterday. The disease has moved from schools to the general population. #8220;It is countywide at this point,#8221; a county health official said. #8220;Each outbreak is uniquely different with no predicted trajectory. We had expected that it would grow and intensify, and it certainly has.#8221; The initial outbreak was recorded in mid-October at Cary-Grove High School. Full story.
Teen sentenced in Golf Mill parking lot murder
A Glenview teen pleaded guilty to and was sentenced yesterday for first-degree murder after running down a 16-year-old Des Plaines boy in the Niles' Golf Mill Shopping Center parking lot. Francisco Morgan ran over Edgardo De La Torre, a Maine East High School sophomore, killing him on Nov. 28, 2009. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in exchange for the guilty plea. Full story.
Jurors see defendant in day care death's police questioning
Jurors in the murder case against Melissa Calusinki, accused of killing a 16-month-old in a Lincolnshire day care center, watched her videotaped interview with police yesterday as her story slowly turned from denial to admitting she threw the baby to the floor. Jurors heard Calusinki, then 22, first deny she knew anything about what happened to Benjamin Kingan, next say she dropped him, and finally admit she #8220;threw him on the floor.#8221; The trial continues today. Full story.
Family remembers Marine a year after his death
It's been a year since Marine Lance Cpl. James Bray Stack of Arlington Heights has been killed in Afghanistan. His parents, widow, sister, and now 2-year-old daughter in Palatine have learned to cope with the loss and the touching impact his death had on others. "I didn't know the cost of our freedom," said his mother, Linda Stack. Full story.
Roskam speaks to suburban seniors about Medicare debate
GOP Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam told a group of suburban seniors yesterday there is an #8220;internal political will#8221; to protect Medicare in the wake of an AARP poll in Florida suggesting the current debate over entitlements is hurting the Republican party. Roskam announced the filing of Medicare fraud prevention legislation yesterday. He said he doesn't consider Republicans softening their language, but acknowledged a shifting approach to more #8220;openness#8221; to the budgetary challenges. Full story.
Aurora shooter sentenced to 40 years
A 31-year-old Aurora man accused of going on a shooting spree after a fight broke out at a party in 2009 was sentenced to 40 years in prison yesterday on weapons charges. Michael Taylor, described as a gang member, first fired a gun as the fight broke out, later shot into an Aurora apartment complex searching for rival gang members, and finally shot at homes where he thought rivals lived. #8220;It's a miracle that nobody was hurt in these shootings,#8221; said U.S. District Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Full story.
Weather
Make sure you have the ice scraper! Mostly sunny and clear with highs in the mid 40s today, but only about 30 degrees when you walk out the door. Full weather.
Traffic
It's Veterans Day, so traffic should be lighter than normal for the early morning rush hour. No problems to report early on the roadways, but people should avoid two construction spots in Lake County. Traffic is slowing down at Route 12 and Honey Lake Road in Lake Zurich, as well as at Route 59 and Bonner Road in Wauconda. Full traffic.
Blackhawks handle Blue Jackets 6-3
The Hawks got a much-needed tuneup in last night's matchup with the worst team in the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets, snapping a three-game losing streak in the process. Jonathan Toews started the scoring with two goals in the first and the Hawks' struggling power play managed to pump two in the net. The icing on the cake was a Gordie Howe hat trick for Steve Montador #8212; a goal, an assist and a fight. Tim Sassone reports.
Prep Primer: Suburban teams still vying for volleyball titles
It's girls volleyball state tournament weekend, and several area teams are still in the hunt for championships. Benet, Cary-Grove and St. Charles East play at Redbird Arena in Class 4A, while St. Francis and Marian Central take a swing at 3A crowns beginning with today's semifinals in Normal. Read the Prep Primer.