Good News Sunday: Cooper Roberts, 8, returns to school for first time since Highland Park shooting

This is Good News Sunday, a compilation of some of the more upbeat and inspiring stories published recently by the Daily Herald:

With a mix of joy and heartbreak, 8-year-old Cooper Roberts recently returned to school for the first time since being paralyzed in the Highland Park July 4 parade shooting.

Cooper's parents, Jason and Keely, on Monday released the latest update on their son, who was wounded with dozens of others - including his mother and twin brother, Luke - in the shooting that also killed seven people.

Cooper still has a "slow and gradual" transition to school ahead of him due to daily therapy and evaluations, but his parents said Cooper "loved every minute" of his first day back as a third-grader at Braeside Elementary School in Highland Park.

"If I had not been shot, paralyzed, and had to be in a wheelchair, it would have been a perfect school day," Cooper's parents quoted him as saying. "But it was a really great day! I loved it!"

For the full story, click here.

Hundreds of bikers come together to benefit underprivileged kids

Hundreds of motorcyclists, some with toys strapped to the back of their bikes, hit the road last Sunday for the 36th annual DuKane A.B.A.T.E. Toy & Food Run.

DuKane A.B.A.T.E. President Chris Hansen said he expected 600 to 800 riders to join in on the 45-minute, back-road ride from Elburn to Sycamore.

The all-day event featured live music on both ends of the ride. A burnout competition, biker rodeo, weenie bite competition, mechanical bull and more waited for riders at the Sycamore Speedway at the end. The donations will be picked up by various charities to benefit underprivileged children at Christmas.

"Bikers come together and take care of their community. Always have, always will," Hansen said.

For the full story, click here.

Addison dog gets special delivery from Amazon

It was just another wonderful day for Mr. Baloo when the Amazon delivery truck arrived at his Addison home Wednesday morning.

The young King Charles Cavalier Spaniel with flowing golden hair, a permanent smile and a wagging tail didn't know the delivery was a special one made just for him.

"He likes to perch right there by the window and wait," said the pup's owner, Karen Nuzzo. "He runs to the door every time Amazon comes."

Mr. Baloo is one of three "superfan" dogs across the nation chosen to receive the special delivery. His arrived Wednesday morning: a box of squeaky chew toys, bags of treats and a specially made tiny Amazon uniform that Nuzzo quickly wrapped him in as he greeted the drivers of the day.

For the full story, click here.

Italian deli and caterer near Schaumburg adds grocery store

Having weathered the pandemic through grit and determination after opening barely a month before it began, Finuccio & Sons Italian Deli & Catering just outside Schaumburg has now doubled its size with the addition of a specialty grocery store.

Located at 1612 E. Algonquin Road, in a strip mall in unincorporated Cook County, the Italian grocery store opened last month in the next-door space previously occupied by State Farm.

"We're a scale above fast food. We're fast, but we're homemade," owner Fino D'Agostaro of Palatine said. "Italian food is the number one to cater. You have to stand out. That was a big thing for me. How do you stand out in an environment where you're swarmed with competition?"

For the full story, click here.

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