Dawn Patrol: Bears lose; Bartlett man dies in crash
Bartlett man killed after car hits tree in Elgin
A Bartlett man was killed yesterday in a single-vehicle crash in Elgin, police said. A preliminary investigation indicates that a 2010 Buick Enclave was traveling east on Higgins Road when it crossed the median and hit a tree, according to a news release from Elgin police. The 55-year-old driver of the vehicle was taken to Advocate Sherman Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Full story.
Principal accued of being "cruel and unfair"
Antioch Upper Grade School employees accused Principal Mike Zarco of being "cruel and unfair" and of mistreating them, district documents revealed, prompting an internal investigation that preceded Zarco's resignation in November. Documents revealed Zarco was placed on paid administrative leave just days before he quit. Full story.
St. James Parish in Arlington Hts. continues holiday tradition of helping the poor
If certain families in need on Chicago's West Side are able to enjoy a Christmas meal, they can thank the persistence of members of St. James Parish in Arlington Heights. Just when it appeared the parish's cherished Christmas "Mercy Box" tradition had been canceled, the church found a new lifeline. Over the weekend, the church parking lot was filled with volunteers, taking boxes filled with food and packing them into a truck for delivery to their recipients in need. Full story.
April trial set in 2012 Aurora University sex assault case
An April 4 jury trial is set for Corderro A. Pollard, one of three former Aurora University students accused of a sexual assault in August 2012. Pollard, 25, of Chicago, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the felony charge. Pollard's attorney said his client had consensual sex with a 25-year-old Joliet woman he knew. Two others were charged in the incident, which authorities say occurred at a residence Pollard shared with Eric Stallworth Jr. on the university campus. Full story.
Water hike in Arlington Heights
In January, Arlington Heights residents will see a 19 percent increase in their water and sewer rates as part of a five-year rate adjustment plan approved by the village board in September 2014. The rate adjustment will go toward funding water main replacements to its 60-year-old water and sanitary sewer infrastructure. Full story.
No injuries as fire sweeps through Elgin house
No injuries were reported early yesterday morning when a fire caused extensive damage to a house on the 400 block of North Spring Street in Elgin. What sparked the blaze, which caused an estimated $200,000 damage, is still under investigation. Firefighters said the fire was discovered by a pedestrian who then walked four blocks to the Elgin police station to report it. Full story.
Weather
Mild temperatures keep winter at bay but expect periods of light rain this morning. Mild conditions with a high in the mid-40s are expected but it will be windy. There will breaks in the rain but a second batch is coming our way later this morning with heavy downpours possible. Showers are expected to end by early afternoon. Full story.
Traffic
Motorists in Lake County can expect heavy delays due to crashes on Quentin Road at Old McHenry Road in Hawthorn Woods and Route 45 at Peterson Road in Libertyville. Also, Old Grand Avenue between O'Plaine Road and First Street in Gurnee is closed due to repairs to the railroad overpass. A previous delay on the westbound Jane Addams Tollway between Manheim Road and Elmhurst Road due to an accident has eased. Otherwise, traffic is reported as being light this morning with no major delays reported in the northern suburbs. Full story.
Bears phone it in
The feel-good story that was the Bears at 4-5 a month ago doesn't feel all that good anymore, says Barry Rozner. The Bears (5-9) have dropped four of their last five with a less-than-inspired, 38-17 loss in Minnesota Sunday afternoon and can once again point to an awful offensive line as the primary reason. Full story.
Bears to miss playoffs for eighth time in nine years
For the first time since Week 3's 26-0 loss to the Seahawks in Seattle, the Bears looked as if they didn't belong on the same field as their opponent. Yesterday's 38-17 loss to the 9-5 Vikings mathematically eliminated the 5-9 Bears from the playoffs. The Bears have now missed the playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons, and they seem to be heading in the wrong direction. Read beat writer Bob LeGere's take here.
Blackhawks beat Sharks in OT
The suddenly sizzling Blackhawks are doing very little wrong and finding ways to overcome whatever obstacles are in their way. They did it again last night in a 4-3 overtime win over San Jose at the United Center. Read beat writer John Dietz's take here.
Bulls mailbag: Butler calling out Hoiberg, Noah's future with Bulls
The Bulls had an eventful weekend, to say the least. It began with the four-overtime loss to Detroit and ended with Jimmy Butler asking for a more aggressive coaching style from Fred Hoiberg after Saturday's loss in New York. Was Butler right to call out Hoiberg? Read beat writer Mike McGraw's answer to that question and more here.