Dawn Patrol: Palatine girl's '97 murder; Wauconda cops' gunfire fatal
Details of arrest in Palatine girl's 1997 murder come today
Detectives kept in touch with Amber Creek's parents for the past 17 years, but the trail of the 14-year-old Palatine girl's killer had gone ice cold. Racine County (Wis.) sheriff's officials now say the crime has been solved and they will announce details about the arrest of Creek's killer in a news conference today. The suspect has not yet been publicly named, but he is described as a 36-year-old Illinois man. Full story.
Armed man shot by Wauconda police dies
Wauconda police shot and killed a 36-year-old armed man yesterday after a confrontation just after noon. Police responded to a call that the man may be wanted and have a stolen vehicle. The man refused to drop his weapon, and police shot him. He later died at the hospital. Full story.
Elgin woman forfeits horses
An Elgin woman charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals and neglect failed to post $30,000 to pay for the care of her animals while she awaits trial, thusly forfeiting 30 horses and donkeys, prosecutors said yesterday. Kane County Animal Control authorities seized more than 90 animals from Stacy Fiebelkorn March 4 and 5. Full story.
Lake Zurich overturns gambling ban
Lake Zurich village board members last night voted to overturn a previous ban on video gambling within the village's limits. Video gambling is permitted in bars, restaurants, truck stops and fraternal orders in communities where it has been approved. Full story.
Attic fire in St. Charles
An attic fire in St. Charles caused $10,000 in damage to a home Monday evening. St. Charles fire department arrived at the home in the 1700 block of South Fourth Place just before 7:30 p.m. and found fire showing from the roof, fire officials said in a release.
Aurora man dies in ATV crash
An Aurora man died Sunday after the ATV he was driving in an unincorporated area near Big Rock Township hit a culvert. The crash happened about 5 p.m. when police say Christopher Harner, 44, struck a culvert while driving along the side of Scott Road. Full story.
Elk Grove man drowns in Chicago River
A man found drowned in the Chicago River Sunday evening was intoxicated, an autopsy revealed yesterday. The body of Ryan McClelland, 30, of Elk Grove Village, was found near the 1000 block of West Weed Street. Passers-by called police about a potential missing man after finding clothing near the river. Full story.
Elgin man pleads guilty to shooting
An Elgin man yesterday pleaded guilty to shooting a man outside a Bartlett bar in 2012. Reginald Myles, 26, originally charged with attempted first-degree murder, accepted a plea deal where he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated battery with a firearm and will spend eight years in prison, his attorney said. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy but 48 degrees to start the day this morning. Temperatures are expected to climb to 54 degrees this afternoon before dipping back to 32 degrees. Light rain is expected to fall throughout the afternoon. Full weather.
Traffic
Construction continues on McHenry Avenue between James R. Rakow Road and Route 14 in Crystal Lake. Full traffic.
UConn beats Kentucky for NCAA title
University of Connecticut led by as many as 15 points in the first half, and they never looked back beating Kentucky 60-54 last night for the NCAA national title. The Wildcats (29-11) trimmed the deficit to one with 8:13 left, but weren't able to get any closer. Shabazz Napier led UConn with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists, and his partner in defensive lockdown, Ryan Boatright, finished with 14 points. Full story.
White Sox fall to Rockies
It was only his second start of the season and Felipe Paulino deserves more time before being emphatically judged after struggling against the Colorado Rockies last night in an 8-1 interleague loss at Coors Field. But the Sox knew they were taking a bit of a gamble when the signed the free-agent pitcher to a one-year, $1.75 million contract Dec. 9. The deal also includes a $4 million club option for 2015. Scot Gregor reports.