Dawn Patrol: ‘Biggest Loser’ from Wheeling; online school grilled
Wheeling native wins Biggest Loser
Danni Allen lost 121 pounds to take home the $250,000 grand prize and the title of “Biggest Loser” during last night’s show. The Wheeling native began the show three months ago at 258 pounds and weighed in at 137 pounds last night. Full story.
U-46 community grills online school execs
Representatives of the Elgin Teachers Association, Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice, and League of Women Voters of Illinois all urged Elgin Area School District U-46 board members to reject a proposal for a virtual charter school in the Fox Valley during a public hearing last night. The charter school application also is vague or incomplete in some areas, a panel reviewing the proposal said. Full story.
And the St. Charles Dist. 303 community grills online school execs
The same virtual charter school that would siphon about $600,000 of state funding away from St. Charles Unit District 303 received a lengthy cross examination from that district’s officials last night. But people at the meeting left it with just about as many questions as when they walked in. Full story.
And Naperville Unit 203 community grills online school execs
A majority of Naperville Unit District 203 community members and teachers speaking out during last night’s public hearing in front of that school board pleaded for the board members to vote against a proposal to create the Illinois Virtual Charter School at Fox River Valley, a virtual charter school that would serve 18 West suburban school districts, including District 203. Full story.
Mayor of Rosemont offers Cubs a new home
If the Chicago Cubs don’t get what they want from the city of Chicago, there’s always the option of becoming the Rosemont Cubs, Mayor Bradley Stephens said yesterday. He offered up about 25 acres of village-owned property to the team last night, saying it’s always an option should their rehab deal with Chicago not work out. Full story.
A crazy idea? Let’s think about this, Mike Imrem says.
Man charged in Elgin murder has criminal background
The man accused of stabbing his Elgin neighbor to death with a screwdriver police say he used to break into her home has a lengthy criminal background. Paul A. Johnson, 34, was charged with the murder of Lisa Koziol-Ellis Sunday. Previous charges include violence and armed robbery. Full story.
Lake County prepares for huge road construction season
Several projects combine for one massive road construction season in Lake County this summer. The projects add up to about $126 million. One of the biggest projects is lowering Rollins Road beneath a railroad bride to replace an at-grade crossing and the relocation of Hainesville Road, among other things, for $43 million. Full story.
Aurora police searching for ‘smash and grab’ burglar
A burglar knowing for smashing the glass doors to enter businesses is at it again in Aurora, with four more burglaries linked to him, Aurora police said yesterday. Twelve burglaries totaling more than $26,500 in stolen money and damages are attributed to the ‘smash and grab’ burglar. Full story.
Boy hit by train in Barrington improving
A fifth-grader at Hough Street Elementary in Barrington who was struck by a train Friday remains in stable condition while awaiting additional surgeries later this week. Dominic Szymanski, 11, waited for one train to pass and didn’t see another one coming from the opposite direction and was struck. Full story.
Weather
It’s only 18 degrees with some light snow this morning, but temperatures are expected to increase to 30 degrees by this afternoon. The cold streak continues tonight, though, with temperatures dipping to 13 degrees overnight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues in Naperville on Book Road between 111th Street to 87th Street. People are urged to avoid that area through May. More traffic.
Hawks beat Avalanche 5-2
Patrick Kane had a goal and two assists in the Blackhawks’ 5-2 victory last night in Colorado against the Avalanche. The Blackhawks have won three straight since having their streak broken by the Avalanche on March 8. Full story.
Bulls are PO’d after 1-point overtime loss
Denver extended its winning streak to 12 games last night at the United Center with an action-packed 119-118 overtime victory over the Bulls that was ultimately settled on a video screen. Marco Belinelli tossed up a baseline jumper that Joakim Noah tipped through the hoop with 1.7 seconds on the clock. Officials decided to look a video replay and ruled the play offensive goaltending, wiping out the Bulls’ game-winning basket. The Bulls say Denver did the same thing earlier. Full story.