Dawn Patrol: Murder-for-hire arrest; train derailment probe
Lombard business owner hired hitman, FBI says
The FBI arrested Daniel Dvorkin, 74, owner of a real estate development firm, and charged him in a murder-for-hire plot. Authorities say a cooperating witness who was wearing a wire recorded Dvorkin negotiating prices for a hitman. Dvorkin was arrested yesterday and has a bond hearing today. Full story.
Long Grove fire caused by illegal fireworks
A brush fire that set 18 acres of land ablaze in Long Grove on Wednesday was caused by the use of illegal fireworks and dry conditions, according to the Long Grove Fire Protection District. Fire officials are continuing to investigate, and a man has been taken in for questioning by the sheriff's department. Full story.
Ex-teacher arrested after 'sexting' teen, police say
Jack K. Pickup, a former Des Plaines middle school teacher, was arrested Tuesday after texting a picture of his genitals to a 15-year-old girl and former student, the Lake County sheriff's office said yesterday. He is charged with grooming — the act of befriending a child to prepare him or her for sex, sexual exploitation or pornography — and sexual exploitation of a child. His next court hearing is scheduled for Monday. Full story.
Two dead in train derailment, bridge collapse
Two people were killed in Wednesday's train derailment in which a bridge collapsed over Sherman Road in Glenview, authorities said yesterday. The victims' identities are unknown, and no missing persons have been reported so far. According to preliminary investigations, rails expanded because of the heat, derailing 28 rail cars that had piled on top of the bridge. The investigation continues. Full story.
Military dog gets hero's welcome at O'Hare
Lucca may only have three legs but she has an unbroken spirit. The bomb-finding dog saved soldiers' lives in Afghanistan but an explosion sidelined her. Now she's flying to a new life with an old friend — and stopped at O'Hare on her way. “She's very independent, obedient to the handler but not afraid to get out there,” Marine Cpl. Juan Rodriguez said. Full story.
Walsh has heated CNN interview
Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh got in a spirited verbal sparring match with CNN personality Ashleigh Banfield Thursday over his comments in Elk Grove Village this week that Democrat Tammy Duckworth says attacked her military service. Full story.
Bus driver charged with touching students
South Barrington police have charged a school-bus driver from Lake in the Hills with four counts of misdemeanor battery for inappropriately touching four elementary school students over the course of the past year. Full story.
Weather
Another sweltering hot day ahead, this time with temperatures expected to reach 102 degrees and the heat index expected to hit 110. A heat advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m. Saturday, when temperatures are expected to dip back to normal levels. It will be about 82 degrees when you head out the door this morning. Full report.
Traffic
No major problems are being reported early this morning, though people should be prepared during the searing heat wave for pavement buckling issues that could take place, like it did on Columbus Drive in Chicago.. In addition, roadwork continues on Diehl Road between Route 59 and Raymond Drive in Naperville. But, because of the holiday weekend, traffic is expected to be light. Full report.
Moisture, heat cause roads to buckle
There have been a handful of reports of roads buckling in the suburbs over the past few days, and with consistently high temperatures and scattered rain, it is likely that more roads will continue to be damaged. Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Guy Tridgell said there were about half a dozen cases of buckled roads in the Chicago area in the last two days, but none of them were serious. Full story.
Cubs lose to split series with Braves
Cubs right-hander Matt Garza dropped to 4-7 after allowing five runs and five hits in four innings to propel the Atlanta Braves to a 7-3 win Thursday night. Full story.
Sox beat Rangers 2-1 for the sweep
The White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 2-1, largely on the backs of Jose Quintana and Kevin Youkilis, neither of whom were playing for the Sox three months ago. “It was great,” Youkilis said after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning that decided the outcome. “To win the series against the Rangers is a great thing.” Full Story.