Dawn Patrol: Holiday travelers take off; triple murder trial set
Holiday travelers take off
By road or by sky or by rail, today marks the great Thanksgiving exodus. The Illinois Tollway expects 10 million vehicles to travel the tollways between now and Monday — with the most, about 1.7 million, to take to the roads today. Another 1.9 million travelers will go through the area’s two major airports, in addition to nearly 740,000 to travel by rail. Full story.
Almost four years after triple murder, trial set
The trial for a man accused of killing three members of a Hoffman Estates family in April of 2009 is set to begin March 18. D’Andre Howard, now 25, is charged with fatally stabbing his fiancee’s father, sister and grandmother and seriously injuring her mother in the attack. Full story.
Wauconda considers moratorium on marijuana growing centers
Wauconda trustees last night discussed enacting a 120-day moratorium on establishing medical marijuana growing centers until a state group tasked with creating guidelines for such sales comes back with its report. The guideline is expected back in April 2014, while the law goes into effect Jan. 1. Full story.
Cook of the Week makes good on promise
The Daily Herald’s Cook of the Week Challenge winner Dan Rich made good on his promise yesterday to donate his winnings to the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin. Rich took home the top prize in the 10-week competition. The prizes move the center closer to its $70,000 plan to expand its kitchen in order to provide children with a hot meal. Full story.
Mt. Prospect rejects low water tower bid
Mount Prospect trustees recently rejected the lowest bidder to paint the village’s elevated water tank downtown based on discrepancies between the experience the bidder claimed and its actual work history. Instead, it approved a $590,000 contract — 67 percent more than the lowest bidder — to complete the project. Full story.
Weather
Unseasonably cold today with highs only reaching 27 degrees today. It will be 14 degrees when you head out the door this morning, then dip back to 18 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on Route 176 between South River Road and Roberts Road near McHenry. People should find an alternate route to avoid delays. Full story.
NIU finishes perfect regular season
The Northern Illinois University football team beat Western Michigan last night to finish the regular season unbeaten for the first time in 50 years. The No. 18 Huskies also secured their fourth straight West Division title and their 25th straight conference victory. Full story.
McCown returns to Minnesota, home of his first Bears win
The first time backup quarterback Josh McCown led the Chicago Bears to a victory was in Minnesota in the 2011 season finale on New Year’s Day 2012 with a 17-13 victory. Extended play time and practice reps have improved McCown, but more importantly, the talent around McCown has improved greatly. Full story.