Dawn Patrol: Dist. 300 classes resuming; maggots found in ear

Class resuming today in District 300

Students are returning to the classroom this morning in Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300. Teachers and the board of education reached a tentative deal last night for a three-year deal. More than 20,000 students missed school yesterday while teachers went on strike and picketed outside their schools. But talks resumed at 3 p.m., and word of a deal came about 9 p.m. Full story.

Lawsuit filed after maggots found in woman's ear

The family of a Catherine McCann, 90, a former resident at Lutheran Home for the Aged, is suing after they discovered maggots crawling out of her ear. Doctors removed 57 maggots. Full story.

Former Algonquin attorney gets 8.5 years in murder-for-hire

A judge yesterday sentenced former Algonquin attorney Jason Smiekel to 8.5 years in a federal prison after he pleaded guilty earlier this year in a murder-for-hire scheme. Smiekel faced a top sentence of 10 years. Full story.

Text sends Carpentersville man into a rage, police say

A text message from an ex-girlfriend sent Nicholas A. Fontana of Carpentersville into a rage that included trashing his house and the next door neighbor's house, police said. Fontana was charged with armed violence, aggravated battery to a police officer, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass. Full story.

Review of Maine West hazing ordered

A Cook County state's attorney last night demanded a full top-to-bottom investigation of the ongoing hazing scandal at Maine West High School. Prosecutors from the office's sex crimes division will initiate a comprehensive review of past and present allegations that students were sexually assaulted as part of an initiation rituals to some of the school's sports teams. Full story.

Support building for cost-shifting pension proposals

Two suburban Republicans gave tentative backing to two new proposals being unveiled today that would shift more of the state's pension burden back on teachers themselves. Lawmakers are currently in Springfield as part of the legislature's two-week fall veto session. Full story.

Weather

Clear but cool with a high of only 40 degrees today. Temperatures will only be in the 30 degree range when you head out the door, then dip back to 32 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.

Traffic

Construction continues at Carpenter Street between Maple Road and Gilbert Avenue in Downers Grove. People should avoid the area. Full story.

Urlacher out for near future

Chicago Bears' middle linebacker Brian Urlacher will likely miss the next three to four games — and possibly the rest of the season — with a strained hamstring. Urlacher injured the hamstring during Sunday's overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Full story.