Dawn Patrol: Dist. 33 deadline; Cary man's good lottery timing
West Chicago Dist. 33 sets deadline in contract talks
The West Chicago District 33 school board announced last night it intends to implement its last contract offer to the teachers union if the two sides cannot agree before the board's Feb. 21 meeting. “We are more than willing to continue to meet” before then, board President Chris Scheck said. The union's chief negotiator, Mary Catherine Kosmach, said the board's unwillingness to compromise is preventing talks from accomplishing a solution on the divisive issue of health insurance. Full story.
Lottery win means Cary man can ‘relax a little'
A Cary man won a $175,000 lottery the same day he lost his job. Six days before Christmas, Wladyslaw Krawiec, a carpenter, went to work earlier in the day, only to be told to go home. On the way home, Krawiec asked God for “a little bit of help” and stopped at a gas station to check his Lucky Day Lotto ticket from the previous night's drawing. As it turned out, his ticket matched all five numbers. Full story.
Teens in critical condition after crash with stolen car
Two runaway teenagers who police said stole a car in Elgin are in critical condition in a Rockford hospital after crashing head-on with another vehicle in Loves Park Wednesday. Full story.
Arlington Heights woman killed in Wheeling crash
A 55-year-old Arlington Heights woman was pronounced dead early Thursday after a traffic accident involving a semitrailer truck in Wheeling, authorities said yesterday. The Cook County medical examiner's office said the woman was pronounced dead at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge after the crash at Wheeling and Palatine roads at around 11:26 p.m. Wednesday. Full story.
Supervalu sells Jewel-Osco to Cerebrus group
Supervalu Inc. is selling off Jewel-Osco and four other grocery chains after years of being squeezed by intensifying competition. The nation's No. 3 traditional supermarket operator said yesterday the sale of 877 stores to an investor group led by Cerberus Capital Management will also include Albertson's Acme, Shaw's and Star Market. Full story.
Authorities investigating body found north of Antioch
The search for a missing person ended Thursday morning with the discovery of a body north of Antioch, which the Lake County coroner's office confirmed yesterday is that of a 42-year-old Antioch man. Full story.
Biden, NRA clash over new gun control proposals
Vice President Joe Biden said yesterday he would give President Barack Obama a set of recommendations by next Tuesday. The NRA, one of the pro-gun groups that met with Biden during the day, rejected the effort to limit ammunition and dug in on its opposition to an assault weapons ban, which Obama has previously said he will propose to Congress. Full story.
Irish fans, recruits left wondering about Kelly
News that coach Brian Kelly had interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles one day after the Irish were thoroughly beaten 42-14 by Alabama in the BCS title game caught just about everyone by surprise. Full story.
James Bond getting an Oscar? How about double-O-no!
Dann Gire thought a James Bond movie would finally have a chance to win a best-picture Oscar. But noooo — after 50 years of faithful service to the movies, he still didn't make it to the Big Dance with “Skyfall.” Alas, Kathryn Bigelow (“Zero Dark Thirty”), Ben Affleck and others were shamefully snubbed, too. Full story.
Poll Vault: Can you recommend a good book?
Michelle Holdway needs book suggestions. What have you read recently that you'd recommend? Spy novel? Love story? Nonfiction? Leave your comment with Poll Vault. Full story.