Last 'I Love You' / Adopting a Dad / A Kind Woman's Rescue / Bat-bit Crazy: Summer 2016

Some were sad and tragic. Others uplifting and hopeful. And still others were just odd and surprising. These were the most-read stories across the Illinois Patch network this summer.

Suicidal Daughter's Last 'I Love You' to Mom and Dad Destroyed by Police

Chicago Police are apologizing to a family for accidentally disposing of two suicide notes taken as evidence last year.

Plainfield Teen Gives Adoption Papers to Lifelong Father Figure

The 18-year-old girl surprised her soon-to-be dad at her graduation party.

Kind Woman Talks Teen Out of Suicide on Metra Bridge in Palos Park

The woman had just left the train Friday night when she saw the distraught young man and approached him.

'A Tough, Horrific Day:' Driver Devastated By Accident That Left 13-Year-Old Boy Dead

Burbank police said boy was riding his bike on sidewalk and had just entered crosswalk when he was hit by the truck.

Small Plane Crashes into Plainfield Neighborhood

"It sounded like he was trying to restart his motor. It was coming down so fast," an eyewitness tells Patch of the Chicago-area crash.

Bat-bit Crazy: 'The Midwest is Just Unbelievably Infested with Bats'

Everything you need to know about Chicago-area bats and summertime rabid-bat warnings.

Nurses Humiliated, Demeaned by Hospital Boot Camp

Presence Saint Joseph allegedly held the boot camp due to faltering patient satisfaction scores.

Fatal Home Invasion Began as Sex Tryst and Robbery Scheme: Inside the Crime

Palos homeowner had woman over for paid sex twice before the night he was set up for robbery, prosecutors said. He shot one robber dead.

Homeless Chicago Man Searches Desperately for His Beloved Dog

"Bobby" was hospitalized Aug. 1 and when he got out, she was gone.

Special Needs 7-Year-Old Got in Bicycle-Riding Lady's Way

The bicycle-riding lady is suing the boy and his mother.

Jack Aiello Debuts "Little Donald" Impression on National TV

Jack Aiello debuts his Donald Trump impersonation on national TV as "Little Donald" in a sketch with host Jimmy Fallon.

150 Worst Illinois Cities to Call Home

Is yours one? Crime, low wages, high unemployment and an overall lack of opportunity figure into this lowly Land of Lincoln list.

Woman Hit by Lightning While Walking in Bolingbrook

34-year-old woman suffers serious injuries.

Minooka Moms Mad About Massage Parlors

The Minooka women suspect the spas are offering more than just massages — and don’t believe the village is doing enough about it.

2 Rape Charges, 1 Day in Jail for Frat Boy from Illinois

Plea deal ends in one year of probation for Downers Grove man and former Indiana University student accused of forcing himself on 2 women.

Naperville Has Second Best Public Schools in Country

The ranking was based on state test scores, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality and student/parent reviews.

NBA Star's Fierce Response to Joe Walsh’s ‘Watch Out Obama’ Tweet

Chicago native and Milwaukee Bucks guard Jabari Parker said he will make sure no one touches the president.

Anthony Ponce Quits NBC News to Drive for Lyft and Start New 'Backseat Rider' Adventure

"Backseat Rider" is Ponce's new interview show and podcast.

100 Most Redneck Towns in Illinois

You know you're a redneck when ... the thought of kicking Chicago out of the Land of Lincoln sounds like a pretty good idea.