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An investigation into possible drug sales at Stevenson High School could conclude next week, a spokesman said Friday. While not divulging how many students have faced campus disciplinary measures as a result of the investigation, Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey said most of the students being disciplined in the matter already have served their unspecified punishments.

A former Hanover Park man who authorities say fled to Mexico after drowning another man 10 years ago was ordered held without bail Friday. Jose Camacho, 43, is charged with first degree murder in the May 2001 death of Flavio Venancio.Camacho was extradited from Mexico Thursday.

Madelyn Meske was born on Tuesday after more than 4,200 people from all over the world had a say in the choice of her name. Her parents, Dave and Lindsey Meske of Crystal Lake, started an open Facebook poll in September so people could cast their vote for their favorite among four choices: Madelyn, Emily, Addilyne and McKenna.

A senior from Rolling Meadows High School will be cutting class on Tuesday, but with good reason — he'll be in Washington D.C. meeting President Barack Obama. Harrison Drake and his teacher, Mark Koch, will represent the District 214 robotics team at the annual White House Science Fair.

Mostly listless once more against a team below them in the standings, the Hawks' losing streak reached five games Friday night with a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome. "We'll find a way out of it and things will start looking better for us soon," Jonathan Toews told reporters.

Hawthorn Woods trustees officially objected to a potentially major commercial development for the southeast corner of Rand and Old McHenry roads in unincorporated Lake County. Hawthorn Woods Village President Joseph Mancino told about 50 spectators the town will do what's necessary to block the proposal. "We will be taking action, legally, where needed," Mancino said.

Longtime U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert now faces an uncontested primary election in March after the Illinois State Board of Elections kicked both of her opponents off the ballot. Also removed were 6th District Democrat Tim Ritter and 10th District Democrat Aloys Rutagwibira.

Details of D'Andre Howard's troubled past were outlined in a new Department of Children and Family Services Inspector General report. The report suggests that the system failed Howard, who is now awaiting trial for the murder of three members of his girlfriend's family in Hoffman Estates in 2009. Could the report impact his upcoming trial?

It only seems fitting that a year after a blizzard prevented Woodstock Willie from making his annual weather prognostication that he predicted Thursday spring will come early this year. Country singer Bryan White read the official prognostication in the Woodstock Square before a cheering crowd of about 500 people, reportedly the largest gathering in the celebration's 20-year history.

Ilya Sheyman of Waukegan and Brad Schneider of Deerfield led the field of Democratic candidates running for the 10th Congressional District in fundraising during the last quarter of 2011, federal records show. However, they were far behind the amount raised by incumbent Republican Bob Dold of Kenilworth , records show.

Illinois is "moving forward," Gov. Pat Quinn repeatedly declared Wednesday in a State of the State address that offered families and businesses modest tax relief but was almost silent on the looming financial roadblocks that could bring state government to a grinding halt. He proposed ending a tax on natural gas, saying it would help businesses and families alike.

Undeterred by not one, but two rejections from the state that killed Centegra and Mercy health systems' plans to build new hospitals in McHenry County, both groups are hoping the third time is a charm.

Local school must change the education process to emphasize individual talents rather than one combined test score, an education expert said during Wednesday night's Summit 303. It's the only way students will find success in a global economy, Yong Zhao said. "Today, unless you have some kind of competitive edge, it doesn't matter because there are 100 million people who can offer what you...

Westmont's former fire chief testified Wednesday that he had been drinking but was not drunk when he drove into a parked car in December. Frank Trout, 67, is facing a misdemeanor DUI charge stemming from the Dec. 30 accident near Westmont.

Tammy Duckworth displayed an edge in fourth-quarter fundraising totals over 8th District Democratic primary opponent Raja Krishnamoorthi, but his overall war chest still remains larger. According to year-end campaign finance reports to the Federal Election Commission, Duckworth, of Hoffman Estates, has $561,651 in cash on hand. Krishnamoorthi, also of Hoffman Estates, has $791,157.

Bald eagles that created quite a stir in the Fox Valley last year are back again. Visitors to the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin noticed them Tuesday morning, the first day they stuck around long enough to have their pictures taken.

Metra CEO Alex Clifford talks about the agency's future on the eve of a major fare increase -- and warns that there are more serious financial challenges ahead.

Thirteen workers at a Wheeling manufacturing plant were hospitalized Tuesday after an apparent carbon monoxide leak left dangerous levels of the poisonous gas inside the facility.

The building that once housed Elgin Community College classes and before that Sears department store in downtown Elgin is well on its way to becoming apartment and studio space for artists. The project, a partnership between Minneapolis-based Artspace and the city of Elgin, is supposed to wrap up in October with 55 rental units to be ready for individuals and families by the end of the year.

Mitt Romney routed Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary Tuesday night, rebounding smartly from an earlier defeat and taking a major step toward the Republican presidential nomination. Gingrich vowed to press on despite the one-sided setback. Romney, talking unity like a nominee, said he was ready to take the Republican helm and "lead this party and our nation."