Metra train strikes pedestrian in Prospect Heights

A Metra train struck a pedestrian Tuesday, May 21 in northwest suburban Prospect Heights.

BG tech firm plays role in creating action figures, pinball machines

BUFFALO GROVE — With its product line doubled, a Buffalo Grove technology firm held an open house last week to show both current and potential customers its new wares.

3 Brookfield Zoo dolphins expecting

Chicago Zoological Society officials say three Brookfield Zoo bottlenose dolphins are pregnant. Officials say Allie, 26, Tapeko, 31, and Spree, 10, are due to give birth this summer and fall.

DUI figures show less drinking and driving in Lake County

Maybe it’s more police officers on the road, an increase in public education or fear of punishment and the hassles of getting a license back after a DUI. Although several officials have suggested differing reasons why, they agree that the number of drunken-driving arrests is going down.

Chicago man denies human trafficking charges

A Chicago man denied human trafficking charges at his arraignment Wednesday, May 15.

St. Mary students find fun in fitness

BUFFALO GROVE — The energy was electric Friday at St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade kicked the air like martial artists, jumped over hurdles and danced to Psy’s “Gangnam Style” in the hallways as they made their way over to additional physical activities, including dancing.

District 102 School Board member steps down, seeks more chaos

BUFFALO GROVE — Gary Friedlander likes getting into messes. Specifically, little-known messes, like obscure county-wide agencies and strangers’ private disputes.

Pending felony charges against contractor cause CLC to halt parking lot work

The College of Lake County has put a hold on a paving contract after the Lake County News-Sun learned that the top bidder for the project is under indictment in Cook County. Alann Harris of Park Ridge-based North Suburban Asphalt Maintenance, which on April 29 was awarded a contract to sealcoat parking lots at the college’s Vernon Hills campus, was indicted in September on charges brought by Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Buffalo Grove police blotter for May 8 - May 14, 2013

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of the Buffalo Grove Police Department. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Jack K. Gwinn, 25, …

Barrington classmates welcome train accident survivor back to school

A crowd of Hough Street Elementary students cheered wildly as 11-year-old Dominic Szymanski made his return to school on Tuesday, two months after a March 15 train accident in downtown Barrington.

Volunteer at South Barrington megachurch charged with fondling boy

SOUTH BARRINGTON — A 19-year-old Hoffman Estates man who volunteered for a program assisting children with special needs at the Willow Creek megachurch in South Barrington has been charged with sexually abusing one of those children. Robert Sobczak was a volunteer in the church’s Special …

Buffalo Grove officials envision roads rebuilt for bikes

BUFFALO GROVE — The northwest suburbs were built for cars, but local officials hope they can be rebuilt to accommodate bicycles.

Lofts are ‘now alive with artists’

Cassandra Ellwing arrived home earlier this spring to a welcome that was unexpected but not surprising. “I came in from work one night to hear a five-part a capella version of ‘Rolling in the Deep’ by Adele,” Ellwing said.

Justice reconsidered: Case Review Panel digs into its first cases

Six members of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s independent Case Review Panel have their work cut out for them. The panel (CRP) is in the process of reviewing its first three cases — a murder, a sex assault and a battery/resisting arrest case.

Lake County deputy sheriff charged in sex sting

Mundelein police arrested a Lake County deputy sheriff in connection with a human trafficking group from Chicago. Deputy Sheriff Eric Francke, 33, was arrested and later charged on May 10 with solicitation of sexual acts and obstruction of justice after a month-long investigation.