Dawn Patrol: Facebook predator arrest; Mt. Prospect roof collapse
Cops: Naperville man used Facebook alias to talk sex with minors
Naperville police are asking parents in the Oswego, Batavia and St. Charles area to review their children’s Facebook friends to see if they have been in contact with a 37-year-old man who they say had sexual conversations with minors on the website while pretending to be a high school student. Police say Eric Thor Hakala, of the 1100 block of Iroquois Avenue in Naperville, used a fictitious Facebook account under the name “Mike Evans” and purported to be a 15-year-old. Full story.
Watching Mount Prospect’s collapsed roof
Two lanes of Northwest Highway in Mount Prospect will remain closed until this afternoon as officials monitor a building that they said is structurally unsound and may collapse. On Wednesday morning engineers, Mount Prospect public safety workers and ComEd employees were on the scene at Tri-State Electronics, 200 W. Northwest Hwy., assessing the damage to the building from a partial roof collapse Tuesday and how to proceed. Full story.
Elgin man accused of raping woman in church parking lot
A 53-year-old man is charged with sexually assaulting an autistic, mentally disabled woman in a van in an Elgin church parking lot, an act that resulted in her pregnancy, authorities say. Kenneth Logwood, of the 100 block of State Street, Elgin, is charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault, a felony that carries a maximum prison term of 15 years. Full story.
Prosecutors use photos to show horror of street-racing crash
Testimony continues today after photographs of mangled automobiles told the story yesterday of a horrific January 2011 collision just west of Golf and Bartlett roads that killed two people and led to the arrest of a Bartlett accountant on charges of street racing and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Prosecutors showed the photos to Rolling Meadows jurors Wednesday as the trial of 39-year-old Timothy Salvesen entered its second day. Full story.
Glen Ellyn suspect indicted in girlfriend’s slaying, burial
The homeless man accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend and burying her in a Glen Ellyn park has been formally indicted. Myron D. Ester, 45, was indicted by the DuPage County grand jury on five counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death. Prosecutors said Ester repeatedly stabbed 33-year-old Linda Valez and left her body in a shallow grave. Full story.
Three injured in South Elgin crash
Three people were injured in a car accident yesterday afternoon in South Elgin, according to a news release. The crash occurred near the intersection of McDonald and Randall roads around 2:30 p.m. One was airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, but the extent of their injuries is unknown. Full story.Carol Stream looks to buy 2-acre site
Seeking to square its borders and potentially spur economic development, the Carol Stream village board voted this week to purchase property in unincorporated DuPage County on the southeast corner of County Farm and Vale roads. The roughly two-acre site at 27W161 Vale Road contains the home of John Senne, who died earlier this year. The property was put up for sale about a month ago with a listing price of $339,900. Full story.
Bears try to embrace short week before tonight’s game
With all the lip service the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell pay to player safety, Thursday night games, with just three days off after a Sunday game, appear hypocritical. But coach Marc Trestman is making the best of the situation. The Bears play the winless New York Giants at 7:25 tonight. “I think it’s something you have to embrace,” he said. “It’s an issue that every team has to deal with.” Full story.
Blues top Blackhawks
Alex Steen stormed down left wing and ripped a shot past Corey Crawford with 21.1 seconds remaining in the third period to give the St. Louis Blues a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Hawks defenseman Brent Seabrook got caught too deep in the offensive zone before Steen wound up with the puck as part of a 3-on-1 in the game that seemed to be headed to overtime at Scotttrade Center in St. Louis. Full story.
For Girardi, it’s always been about family
Manager Joe Girardi signed a four-year contract yesterday to stay with the New York Yankees through 2017. Yankees GM Brian Cashman had said after the team missed the playoffs for the second time since 1992 that the Yankees wanted to keep Girardi, whose name was mentioned for the Cubs opening in his native Illinois. The 48-year-old Girardi said it would be up to his family if he returned. Full story by Bruce Miles.
Bulls in Rio to practice, not party
The Bulls flew 13 hours overnight and arrived in Rio de Janeiro yesterday to play the first NBA game in South America. The Bulls will spend four days in Brazil before facing the Washington Wizards on Saturday for their third preseason game. Shortly after arriving, the Bulls arrived at the gym for a workout. “This is my first time over here,” Derrick Rose told reporters. “You hear about how beautiful it is. We haven’t had a chance to experience it yet.” Full story by Mike McGraw.
Should be nice out today
After a foggy early morning, it’s lifting in the suburbs and we’re on our way to what is expected to be a nice day. Temperatures are to climb from the 50s this morning to a high of 74 degrees. If you’re headed to tonight’s Giants-Bears game at Soldier Field, it should be in the 60s and mostly clear until it ends.Full story
Traffic
Lake Forest police said Route 41 is now open in the north- and southbound lanes at Westleigh Road, where a man died in a single-vehicle crash this morning. Traffic was reported flowing again today on Route 176 in Wauconda, where a water main break caused problems Wednesday just east of Ridge Street. Commuters need to be aware of bridge maintenance work on Route 31 near Highland Avenue and Chicago Street in Elgin, work on Quentin Road in the Deer Park area, a partial closure due to repairs on Central Road in Arlington Heights, lane restrictions on Route 59 between Diehl to Ferry roads in Naperville and Palatine Road construction from Huntington Boulevard to Haman Road in Hoffman Estates. Full story.