Dawn Patrol: Car hits Gurnee school, boy; quadriplegic can drive
11-year-old hurt in Gurnee middle school crash
An 11-year-old boy was injured yesterday afternoon after a vehicle struck the north entrance of Woodland Middle School in Gurnee. Gurnee Fire Department Lt. Andy Wienckowski said firefighters arrived at 3:50 p.m. and found the boy pinned underneath a minivan that had crashed backward into the school at 7000 Washington St. He said it took about 4 minutes to free the boy. Full story.
Palatine quadriplegic given a vehicle he can drive himself
After months of relying on others to drive him around, Steve Herbst will finally be able to get behind the wheel again — and this time, in a new car. Herbst, a quadriplegic who was paralyzed while playing football at Palatine High School in 1980, was presented with the keys to a new wheelchair-accessible Honda Odyssey yesterday at Mobility Works in Villa Park. Full story with video.
Lauzen catches heat for illegal RTA appointment
A day after learning the first major appointment of his administration violated state law, Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen accepted the resignation of RTA board member Nabi Fakroddin and apologized for the error. But not all Kane County Board members were ready to let Lauzen off the hook. Full story.
Addison man sentenced for mislabeling seafood products
The owner of an Addison seafood distributor was sentenced yesterday to five years of federal probation and a maximum $100,000 fine for mislabeling products and misstating weights to charge customers more, according to a news release from the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago. Full story.
Start date nears for Route 59 widening in Naperville
Work to widen Route 59 in Naperville and Aurora is set to begin in less than two weeks as the governor’s office yesterday announced funding for the last few aspects of the nearly $90 million project. Contracts totaling $34.6 million were awarded for widening the congested state road between North Aurora Road and Aurora Avenue/New York Street. Full story.
Waukegan basketball star charged with harassing a witness
Prosecutors say a former standout Waukegan high school basketball star intimidated three Lake County probation office employees when he pantomimed firing a gun at them, after being thrown out of their office hours before a hearing to revoke his probation. But a defense attorney said the probation employees who witnessed Jereme Richmond’s gestures inflated their hysteria over their confrontation. Full story.
Weather
Partly sunny but a touch cooler with a high of 78 degrees this afternoon. It will be 66 degrees as you head out this morning, and temperatures will dip back to 58 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on IL Route 62 between Pyott Road and IL Route 31. One lane gets by in each direction through the summer of 2014. Full story.
Cubs beat Phillies 5-2 in 9th with home run
Donnie Murphy hit a tiebreaking three-run shot in the ninth inning for his second homer of the game, lifting the Cubs to a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies last night. Full story.
Oh yeah? Well, Sox complete Yankees sweep with win in 12th
Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in baseball history, but he can be human from time to time. Rivera entered last night’s game in the bottom of the ninth inning to a standing ovation at U.S. Cellular Field. But instead of nailing down his 36th save in 38 opportunities, Rivera gave up a double to Gordon Beckham before pinch hitter Adam Dunn tied the game with a single. The Sox won later. Full story.
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