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Former Glenbard West Football Player Sentenced To 16 Years Behind Bars For Rape
Demarco Whitley, a former Glenbard West High School graduate and football player, was sentenced to 16 years behind bars for raping a 15-year-old girl in a Rolling Meadows parking lot in 2010, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Court coverage:

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Finding Refuge in Glen Ellyn Ten Years After 9/11

Nicole Lysaght was 15 minutes late to work on Sept. 11, 2001.

She worked in the south tower of the World Trade Center on the 65th floor. After the attacks Lysaght was haunted by guilt for having survived when so many others perished. For her, the memory and terror of Sept. 11 lingered around every street corner and during every subway ride. For Nicole and her husband James the Twin Towers were an iconic symbol of their relationship—their love grew in the shadows of the WTC. Then in 2008, the symbol of their relationship reappeared in an unimaginable way—Nicole gave birth to twins. The family moved to Glen Ellyn nearly one year ago in search of a quiet change from the bustling streets and skyscrapers of New York. And they have finally found a place of peace where they can “exhale” and start anew

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Trial Set in Deerfield Killing of Bear's Girlfriend

More than three years after Rhoni Reuter was shot and killed in Deerfield, the woman accused in her death is set to stand trial.

According to the Lake County state's attorney, Marni Yang will appear before Judge Christopher Stride on Feb. 28 to face charges of first-degree murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child. After years of investigations, that trial date was set Friday.

Yang allegedly gunned down Reuter, 41, in 2007 at the victim's Deerfield condo. Reuter, who was shot several times, was the longtime girlfriend of former Chicago Bears defensive back Shaun Gayle and was pregnant with his baby at the time of the slaying.

Yang was arrested about two years later after being linked to Gayle. An NBC Dateline report claims she brokered real estate deals for Gayle who played on the 1985 Bears team that won Super Bowl XX. Police suspect the two were also romantically involved.

In Dateline's special series surrounding the slaying, Yang's actions were described as an act of jealous rage. Reuter was allegedly killed because Yang had what Gayle described as a "crush" on him and wanted Reuter out of the picture.

Investigative Series
Local Nursing Homes Don't All Shine Equally

When it comes to placing a parent or grandparent in a nursing home, how much do you actually know or want to know about the facility?

It turns out some local establishments are doing a great job while others are not, according to available records. So Patch decided to conduct a special investigation to take a close look at the facilities in Deerfield and Highland Park.

The two neighboring villages have a total of three nursing homes, which get rated on a five-star scale by a federal agency. The rating system, enacted in 2008, is designed to help would-be residents and their families make the right long-term care choice.

"It can help you frame questions but it can’t give you an absolute answer of whether or not it’s a good facility for you or not,” Janet Wells, spokeswoman for the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, said of the government evaluation.

Breaking News Coverage
Despite Attempted Attacks Jewish Community Remains Unshaken

UPDATE: Friday U.S. and international authorities intercepted two U.S.-bound packages containing explosive material while aboard two cargo planes. The packages were addressed to unnamed Chicago locations, which were later revealed to be a Jewish community center and synagogue. Despite this, the Jewish community in Evanston remains unshaken.

As members of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation entered their synagogue Saturday for Shabbat services, the day was like any other. There was no extra security outside of the worship center on Dodge Avenue and the entrance doors were unlocked, welcoming congregants and visitors.

"Basically, we're not scared," said Shirley Gould, a member of the congregation.

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After Tragedy, Community Reflects on its Youth

At the end of the summer, District 225 lost incoming senior Alen Khoma from an apparent drug overdose. Khoma was at a Mos Def/STS9 concert at the Aragon Ballroom Aug. 21 when Chicago Fire Department officials took the teen to Weiss after he started "suffering from seizures that may have been drug-induced," police News Affairs Officer Ron Gaines said in a CBS local report.

"It's a tragedy whenever it happens to any child," said Robert Boron, district 225 school board vice president.

Khoma's death has been a catalyst for some students, teachers and parents to consider whether local high schoolers are prepared as they transition to college.

At a recent school board meeting, Boron shared sentiments from his own son Brian, a freshman at the University of Iowa and a Glenbrook North graduate. "Glenbrook schools teach you how to get into good colleges but [a lot of times] not what to do when you get there," Brian said.

After high school graduation in June, a new batch of students will fly the coop and pursue their next endeavor. Academically, the region's schools are known for their ability to prepare students to attend some of the best college's in the country. But how prepared are those students to handle the serious challenges of drugs, alcohol and transitioning to the adult world outside of the classroom?

Hemophiliacs seek better pharmaceutical standards

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Henry Lohmann reminds his mother before she meets with state representatives that he is not seven years old, but seven-and-a-half. But Mary Fleming is more interested that lawmakers understand the danger her son faces.

She sees a lack of accountability among pharmacies serving those who, like her son, are threatened by hemophilia – a condition that can cause uncontrolled bleeding. And at least two state representatives – one from each side of the isle – share Fleming’s concern that specialty pharmacies could better serve their clients and take steps to avoid potentially life-threatening substitutions of prescriptions.

Ethics committee presents multiple issues to house

Last session, three members of the General Assembly resigned after pleading guilty to various crimes including obstruction of justice and bribery. Lawmakers say they are the basis for some of the reforms proposed in the house.

Equal reimbursement for MoHealth net providers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A new house bill would require MoHealth Net to equally reimburse health care providers that administer similar services.

For example, optometrists and ophthalmologists who provide similar services to MoHealth Net patients receive different reimbursement rates.

Rep. Jake Zimmerman, D-Olivette, was the only committee member to vote against the bill because he was concerned about raising rates during this economic climate.

“I need some understanding of how we’re going to improve patient care or get more value for our dollars in the healthnet program before we agree to up reimbursement rates,” said Zimmerman.

Local activist takes national role in restoring Great Lakes

Growing up a few blocks from Lake Michigan, Cameron Davis recalls the lake as an integral part of his life.

“The Great Lakes are part of my genetic makeup,” he says.

His father would pick up litter along Lake Michigan when most people would walk by it, and Davis says that left a lasting impression.

Years later, Davis is taking on a pivotal role in restoring the Great Lakes.

President Barack Obama recently appointed the local environmentalist leader as a special advisor to the EPA, to help restore the Great Lakes.

Outrage over awnings: Small business owners angry about permit citations

Kelly O’Leary has been in business for 10 years in Edgewater, and she’s never had a problem with the awnings that overhang her coffee shop -- until now.

It's not the awnings themselves -- but the bureaucratic nightmare of the awning permit process.

And O'Leary isn't the only one.

Recently, small businesses owners in the Andersonville and Edgewater communities have been receiving citations from the city for not having the appropriate permits. The business owners thought they had the permits they needed, and say they were never tipped off by the city that multiple permits were required for the same awning.

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