Dawn Patrol: Cold temps close schools; police investigate girl’s death
Suburban schools closed today due to cold weather
Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300, Maine Township High School District 207, West Aurora Unit District 129, Northwest Suburban High School District 214, Des Plaines Elementary District 62, Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200, Huntley Unit District 158, Mount Prospect Elementary District 57 and many other schools are closed today due to the cold weather. Full story.
School closings create headaches for parents
While students hoped for another few days off school this week due to the cold, many parents in the suburbs spent the weekend crossing their fingers that classes wouldn’t be canceled again, throwing their work and child care plans into chaos. “It’s kind of a nightmare for the parents,” said Jen Ortman, an Arlington Heights mom with three kids. Full story.
Aurora police: TV falls, kills 4-year-old girl
Police are investigating the death of a 4-year-old girl who had a television fall on her Sunday evening at her home in Aurora. According to a news release, the girl’s mother called police to an apartment on the 1200 block of Nantucket Avenue around 5:49 p.m. after a television fell off a stand onto her daughter. The girl was taken to Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora where she was pronounced dead at 6:34 p.m. Full story.
About 180 people turn out for snowshoe race in Barrington
It’s not every day you go to a park and find a giant zucchini greeting visitors and posing for pictures. But wasn’t cause for alarm for about 180 people who participated in the Frozen Zucchini Snowshoe Adventure 5K race Sunday at Citizens Park in Barrington. Proceeds will benefit Smart Farm, a local organization that promotes sustainable gardening and donates produce to food pantries. Full story.
Suburban survivors of clergy sex abuse stress speaking up
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse say the trauma they suffered decades ago is something they still must deal with in their daily lives. But they all agree that talking about it helps the healing process. “It still is a journey,” said priest sex abuse survivor Carmen Severino of Naperville. “But the more it comes out, the better it will be for those suffering in silence.” Full story.
Women ski jumpers thrilled at Olympic opportunities
More than 60 skiers took part Sunday in the 109th annual Norge International Ski Jump Tournament in Fox River Grove, but it was the nine women competitors who had extra motivation this year. For the first time, women ski jumpers will be competing at next month’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, something long overdue according to some of the competitors at this weekend’s Norge event. Full story.
‘17 Seconds’ screening gives Hawks fans a thrill
The Daily Herald and Chicago Blackhawks teamed up Sunday to screen the film “17 Seconds” at Classic Cinemas Theater in Elk Grove Village. The film recaps the deciding victory in last year’s Stanley Cup championship series between the Hawks and the Boston Bruins. “I liked how it went more in-depth about the players off the ice, rather than just giving us the on-ice moments,” said Ben Abraham of Glenview. Full story.
Weather
It’s clear and cold now, and temperatures will move dangerously low as the day rolls on with wind chills that are brutal. Right now, it’s zero degrees, but wind chills will make it feel like its 23 degrees below zero. Temperatures will drop this afternoon to 5 degrees below zero with wind chills of 27 degrees below this afternoon, before plummeting to 14 degrees below zero tonight with wind chills of 28 degrees below. Full weather.
Traffic
Stay in if you can today because of the brutal cold. Construction continues on Rollins Road between Route 45 and Route 83 near Round Lake Beach. People should expect delays. Full story.
‘Bad Hawks’ habits lead to another loss
In their last game at the United Center until March 4, the Hawks squandered a lead and let the Winnipeg Jets score 3 third-period goals for a 3-1 win. It was the third straight loss for the Hawks, who open their road trip Tuesday at Calgary. Full story