Dawn Patrol: 80-year-old shoots icicles; Homicides investigated
Aurora cops still investigating two unrelated shooting deaths
Aurora police continue to investigate a pair of unrelated homicides that took place within an hour of each other Monday on the city's west side. In the first case, police are searching for two men they believe were involved in a shooting inside the La Torta restaurant in the Northgate Shopping Center on the 800 block of North Lake Street. In the second, charges are expected this morning as police had a 45-year-old Aurora man in custody in connection with the fatal shooting of an Aurora woman resulting from an apparent domestic dispute. Full story.
Police tell 80-year-old to stop shooting icicles
An 80-year-old Kane County man was asked by sheriff's deputies to stop using a handgun to rid his house of icicles late last week, authorities said yesterday. Full story.
4 GOP governor candidates in Daily Herald/ABC 7 forum today
The four Republican candidates for governor plan to attend a Daily Herald and ABC 7 forum on business issues Thursday. Bruce Rauner of Winnetka, state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford will debate. Full story.
Trial begins in death of Addison girl, 9
From the moment early on July 15, 2008, when she learned her daughter, 9-year-old Mya Lyons of Addison, had been found stabbed to death in Chicago, Ericka Barnes wanted answers. After nearly 6½ years, she might finally get them. The trial of Richard Lyons — Mya's father, who authorities say murdered the youngster in his van and dumped her body in an alley near his Gilbert Avenue home on Chicago's South Side — continues today in Chicago. Full story.
Inappropriate conduct by Lake County courthouse guards alleged
The defense attorney for a Gurnee woman convicted of a 1999 armed robbery inside a Park City mobile home is requesting a new trial because two courthouse security guard trainees acted inappropriately during her October trial. The former guards admitted they gave their cellphone numbers to two people associated with the trial of Sandra Lopez, 43, between Oct. 20 and 24. Full story.
Metra offers mea culpa as riders continue to face problems
Metra riders thought they were out of the frying pan of service problems caused by extreme cold last week, but some feel they're now in the fire with overcrowded trains. The agency ran some trains with fewer cars Monday and Tuesday as it repairs doors, brakes and wheels damaged by ice and snow. The Union Pacific Line is the hardest hit. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and 18 degrees when you head out this morning, though windchills are making it feel closer to 3 degrees above zero. Temperatures will only climb to 19 degrees this afternoon before dropping back to 14 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on Route 31 in Elgin between West Highland Avenue and Chicago Street. People should expect delays. Full traffic.
Hawks fall to Avs in OT 3-2
The last time the Blackhawks played the Colorado Avalanche, the Hawks won 7-2, so the Hawks knew the Avs would be out for blood last night. But the Hawks held them off most of the game. In the end, despite outshooting the Colorado Avalanche 48-26, the Hawks still managed to fall 3-2 in overtime. Full story.
Garrett scores 21, DePaul beats St. John's 77-75
Billy Garrett Jr. scored 21 points, and DePaul won its second straight, beating St. John's 77-75 on Tuesday night. The Blue Demons (10-8, 2-3) blew a seven-point lead in the second half but pulled it out in the closing minutes to come away with back-to-back Big East wins for the first time in five years. Full story.
Hoosiers upset No. 3 Wisconsin 75-72
Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell scored 25 points last night, leading Indiana to a stunning 75-72 upset over previously unbeaten Wisconsin. The third-ranked Badgers (16-1, 3-1 Big Ten) were trying to become the first team ever to win 13 straight games over the Hoosiers (12-5, 2-2). Full story.