St. Charles|News|
Shedd Offers Free Admission to Make Up for 'Snow Days'
Any Illinois residents who missed out on a visit to Shedd Aquarium Jan. 6 or 7 can take them up on free admission Jan. 11 or 12.

Education: Graduated from St. Mary's College (now a university) in Winona, Minn., with a degree in journalism, minor in art (emphasis in photography).
Career: First news job as a reporter/photographer in Rawlins, Wyo.
Then worked as news editor uin Cheyenne, Wyo., for several years in the early 1990s before returning to Elgin, Ill., in 1994 to work as night editor of The Courier-News.
Advanced in 2007 to Web content editor, a position held until I was laid off in December 2010.
Began writing a blog, Laid off at 51: Seeking joy in change, about being an unemployed journalist and about journalism trends and issues, particularly related to digital media's impact on the newspaper industry.
Worked part-time at an Elgin news website, later added more part-time work as a guest editor for Patch.com.
Began full-time work as local editor for St. Charles, IL Patch in July 2012. In August 2013, my responsibilities were expanded to include Wheaton Patch.
Interests/hobbies: My Christian faith is very important to me, as is my family.
After that, I love fishing, reading, wildlife, photography and writing/blogging.
Any Illinois residents who missed out on a visit to Shedd Aquarium Jan. 6 or 7 can take them up on free admission Jan. 11 or 12.

The 69-year-old Oak Brook resident who pleaded to tax evasion says probation is enough, considering he's agreed to pay a $53.5 million civil penalty.
Elderly woman rescued but flames hamper firefighters who returned to rescue for man who died in Wednesday morning South Elgin fire.
Paul Chandler is accused of driving off in an ambulance from the emergency room parking lot at a Rockford hospital.
Let St. Charles Patch offer you just some of the options available to you this weekend.
Let Wheaton Patch offer you just some of the options available to you this weekend.
Wheaton business takes it in the shorts with theft.
Wheaton business takes it in the shorts with theft.
Computer gear, jewelry, cash and clothing are among items stolen from trunk of car parked on Kensington Circle.
Wheaton police reports from Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 through Monday, Jan. 6, 2014.
An Elgin man surrenders to St. Charles police on New Year’s Day after he reportedly ran at another man with a knife in mid-December.
An Elgin man surrenders to St. Charles police on New Year’s Day after he reportedly ran at another man with a knife in mid-December.
Six-foot bronze will adorn the Bob Leonard Walkway when it is installed this spring.
Six-foot bronze will adorn the Bob Leonard Walkway when it is installed this spring.
Some neighbors say adding more student housing will have negative effects on them.
The arrests, both for drivers who police says were over the legal limit to be considered intoxicated, came during a holiday crackdown on drunken driving.
Six-foot bronze will adorn the Bob Leonard Walkway when it is installed this spring.