Gas-Leak Tragedy / Scratch-and-Win Lottery Fail? / Babysitter Accused of Murder / Icy-Pond Dog Rescue

Thank you for reading Patch. Let’s catch up on your week in headlines across the Illinois Patch network.

» TOP STORIES

Father and Daughter Severely Burned in Gas-Leak Explosion

A father and daughter were injured when their house exploded and caught fire after a gas leak Thursday afternoon in Homer Glen.

'Integrity' of Illinois Lottery Scratch-Off Games Questioned

5 things you should know as lawmakers call for investigation and special hearings to look into failure to pay out big prizes.

Babysitter Accused of Killing Crying Infant

Willa Wickerson, 56, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 1-month-old Englewood boy earlier this month.

Woman Falls in Icy Pond Trying to Rescue Dog

When Aurora resident Cathy Medernach fell into the icy water while trying to save her dog, thoughts of her family flashed before her and she feared this was how she'd die.

Dozens Get Sick to Their Stomachs After Event at Banquet Hall

A holiday party turned disastrous for nearly 100 revelers who attended a Dec. 9 event at an Orland Park facility.

Firefighters' Friendship with Oak Forest Boy Will Melt Hearts

Ryne Ward just made himself a bunch of new buddies.

Rescue Crews Searched for Car in Icy Pond Sunday

The emergency unfolded throughout the afternoon in south suburban Lynwood.

Man Who Fired Gun After Cubs Playoff Win Could Get 10 Years in Prison

A man who police said fired a handgun near Wrigley Field after a Chicago Cubs playoff win pleaded guilty this week to a federal charge of being a felon-in-possession of a handgun and could spend as much as 10 years in prison.

Christmas Angels Rescue Easter Ducks Stranded on Ice in South Suburbs

It was Easter in December for four young white ducks stuck on the ice in an Oak Lawn pond. Residents and volunteers from the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors raced against the encroaching polar vortex to rescue the trapped water fowl Wednesday afternoon.

Lawyer Killed in Northbrook Office Strangled in Targeted Attack: Police

Police found 36-year-old Prospect Heights resident Jigar K. Patel dead on the floor of his office Wednesday night.

» JUST A FEW DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Calling All Home Cooks! Share Your Best Holiday Recipe

Whether it's a festive cocktail, a delish dessert or a family classic, every cook has a crowd-pleaser around the holidays. What's yours? » Learn more about how to share your recipe

• 2016 Christmas TV Schedule: When Are Holiday Classics On TV?
• Best Front-Yard Christmas Lights in the Chicago Suburbs 2016
• 14 Popular Holiday Lights Displays in the Chicago Area
• Holiday Gift Guides: Everything You Could Possibly Imagine

» ACROSS ILLINOIS

Driver Who Laughed Over Body of Woman He Killed Avoids Prison Time

A Chicago driver who was caught on cellphone video laughing over the body of a woman he plead guilty to killing in a car crash on the South Side last year won’t spend any time in prison.

White Sox Legends Confirm Attendance at SoxFest 2017

The Big Hurt, Bo Jackson, Carlton Fisk and others confirm attendance as upgrade packages are made available for annual January fan event.

Worker Dies in Deep Tunnel Project

A construction company worker has died in the Deep Tunnel in the southwest suburbs.

Man Who Allegedly Set Fire to a Homeless Man's Tent is a Former Chicago Cop: Report

He retired in November 2006 as a sergeant.

Bill Murray Helps President Tout Obamacare From the Oval Office

With just a few days left to sign up for 2017 health insurance made available under the Affordable Care Act, President Obama invited comedy legend Bill Murray into the White House to poke fun at his putting skills and promote Obamacare.

High School Pals Tied Together in 2011 Parent Murder Case to Finally Stand Trial

A young man charged with brutally murdering his parents five years ago will stand trial along with a high school pal who allegedly helped him.

Masked Burglars Target Sprint Stores in Smash and Grabs Across the Chicago Suburbs

Authorities from at least nine communities across the Chicago suburbs are investigating a string of smash-and-grab burglaries that all occurred at Sprint stores in recent months.

Facebook Live Video Leads to Arrest of Felon with Gun in Evanston: Cops

A Facebook Live video led detectives in Evanston to a felon who was found with a handgun after fleeing police Monday night, according to a police report.

Former LITH Deputy Chief Accused of Sexually Assaulting Juvenile

A former deputy chief for the Lake in the Hills Police Department has been charged with sexually assaulting a juvenile.

Couple Led Astray by Church Friend in Mortgage Refinancing Scam: Attorney General

A couple struggling to make mortgage payments turned to a friend they met at church to help them refinance their home mortgage.

Former Youth Baseball Coach Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as Sex Offender

A 44-year-old former youth baseball coach in Crystal Lake, who was convicted in 2014 on child porn charges, was back in court on Wednesday on new charges after he allegedly failed to register as a sex offender.

‘Baby Face’ Teens Raped Woman at Gunpoint in Humboldt Park: Report

A 23-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in the city’s Humboldt Park neighborhood early Wednesday morning by two armed robbers described as teenagers with “baby” faces.

Pilot Killed in Plane Crash ID'd as Atheist Activist Rob Sherman

The McHenry County Coroner's Office has identified the pilot killed in a crash near Marengo as well-known suburban atheist activist Robert L. Sherman, who has made headlines over the years for legally challenging the separation of church and state and who also ran for Congress this past year.

» FIND A JOB

• Best & Worst Cities in Illinois for Jobs: Report
• These 25 Jobs Make the Most Money in Illinois
• The 25 Lowest-Paying Jobs in Illinois
• List Your Job on Patch!

» ALSO WORTH A LOOK

• Students Hospitalized After Eating Mystery Substance at South Side School
• Oak Lawn Cops Follow Footprints One Mile in Snow to Alleged Car Burglar
• ‘Sit on Her Face Wit a Pillow’ — Cousin Pleads to Tropical Resort Murder Plot
• Northwestern Student Robbed Near Campus
• Middle School Student Carries Knife Onto Bus in Naperville
• 'Saved By the Bell' Replica Diner to Leave Chicago in May
• Kids Ride Metra Free Last 2 Weeks of December
• Old Woman Punched County Board Member in Shoulder After Cursing Him Out: Petition
• Deli Worker Injured By 50 Pounds of Frozen Chicken: Lawsuit
• Batavia Native Craig Sager, Longtime and Colorful Sports Announcer, Dies At 65
• 'How Did You Get Me So Fast?', Alleged Skokie Bank Robber Asks Cops
• Chicago Alderman Looted Charity Funds, Withdrew $25K Near Casinos Where He Gambled — Indictment

Our "Miss A Day, Miss a Lot" review shares recent must-read items from our Illinois network. The Patch community platform serves more than seven dozen villages, cities and neighborhoods in the Chicago region.

Thank you for reading.

» find Your Patch and more news of the day, including our most-read stories

» how to subscribe: Find your local Patch and tap into news, conversation and information via newsletters, alerts, special features and roundups.

» how to use Patch's community calendars: Our calendars are easy to use and reach thousands of people in your community.

» get the new Patch local news app on iTunes