Dawn Patrol: Quick hits as you head out the door
Mount Prospect man badly burns leg while deep-frying turkeys
A Mount Prospect man is recovering from severe burns after accidentally knocking 30 quarts of hot oil onto his leg while deep-frying a turkey. Serafino Alfe was frying the turkeys for a fundraiser when he tripped into the fryer and suffered third-degree burns. Medical officials hope the accident will make those thinking about the deep-fry method come Thursday, act on the side of caution. Full story.
Batavia votes to ban synthetic drugs
Batavia is the latest town in the Fox Valley area to join the trend of banning the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana and stimulants. The ordinance, which passed unanimously, bans the substances often packaged and sold as “herbal incense” or “bath salts.” Village officials cited a memo listing 10 police incidents in Batavia since February where people had smoked the substance or ingested the synthetic stimulants. Full story.
2 airlifted from serious Kane County crash
Six people were injured on Route 72 near Pingree Grove yesterday in a major crash that shut down the roadway for more than four hours. Two people were airlifted from the scene, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Police said the driver, a 24-year-old Bellwood woman, attempted to pass a semitrailer truck and struck a vehicle in the oncoming traffic. Full story.
Suburban food pantries give help
Helga O'Malley's face lit up when she was handed a frozen turkey at Catholic Charities' food pantry in Des Plaines. #8220;You got the last one,#8221; Mary Insprucker told her. O'Malley said the turkey will turn into a holiday feast she hadn't thought she and her two children could have. But across the suburbs, food pantries aren't sure they can give everyone full meals, either. Full story.
Grayslake D46 board member denies she broke election law
A Grayslake school board member disagrees with a prosecutor's finding that she broke state election law when she registered two people to vote and gave them $5 restaurant gift certificates. Susan Facklam says she will remain on the Grayslake Elementary District 46 board despite the findings, while prosecutors said they will not pursue a criminal case against Facklam. #8220;I did not do anything wrong by giving two $5 gift cards that I already had to a family friend and her friend. The gift cards were not given in exchange for anything,#8221; she said. Full story.
Police: Juveniles stole more than 60 watches at Oak Brook mall
Three Villa Park juveniles are in custody after police say they shot out the glass doors at a Macy's store at Oakbrook Center mall and stole jewelry and cash. The three suspects broke into display cases and cash registers, and stole more than 60 watches and cash. Two suspects were caught running away from the store, and a third was caught at a residence shortly after. Full story.
West Chicago man gets life for Bartlett attorney's death
A West Chicago man was sentenced yesterday to natural life in prison for the 2009 murder of his former attorney, who was suffocated with a cushion during a robbery of his prized gun collection. DuPage County Judge Blanche Hill Fawell imposed the maximum term on Terry Bratcher, 45, who was convicted by a jury in September of murdering 82-year-old Carl Kuhn inside his rural Bartlett home. #8220;(Bratcher) literally led the victim upstairs to his death,#8221; Fawell said. Full story.
10-year sentence for 2000 Elgin murder upsets family
Monday's sentencing hearing for Roberto Vences fell woefully short of what Matthew Kimble's family hoped for. Kane County Judge Timothy Sheldon gave a 10-year sentence to the 29-year-old Vences, who spent nine years hiding out in Mexico at his family's ranch after being charged with shooting 19-year-old Kimble through the heart at an Elgin underage drinking party in 2000. #8220;The court's job is not to soothe (the Kimbles') pain. The courts job is to attempt to do justice,#8221; Sheldon said. Vences will be a free man in about 2frac12; years. Full story.
Baby gorilla to be introduced today
Lincoln Park Zoo officials said yesterday a baby female gorilla was born last week and will be introduced to the public today. The zoo released a cute video of the little girl. See the video.
Weather
Cloudy but above freezing when you head out the door early this morning, with highs of about 43 degrees. It'll climb to about 48 degrees this afternoon, but some rain is forecasted, so bring the umbrella. Full weather.
Traffic
Heavy congestion throughout the system due to the rain. The weather has caused accidents at North Avenue and Gary Avenue in Carol Stream and at Roosevelt and Meyers in Lombard. People should also avoid construction on Golf Road at New Wilke Road in Rolling Meadows, and Randall Road between Ackman Road and McHenry Avenue in Crystal Lake
Lovie: Cutler will be back before New Year's Day
According to Lovie Smith, injured quarterback Jay Cutler will be back before the end of the regular season, but in the meantime Caleb Hanie will take the reins of what has been a hot offense. Cutler is expected to have surgery today to repair the fractured right thumb and likely will have a pin inserted to speed up the healing process. Cutler could play by the regular-season finale at Minnesota on New Year's Day, according to coaches. Full story.