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In today’s Screen
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013
WWW.NWHERALD.COM
The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
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FROM SHELTER TO HOMES
GYMNASTICS
Home of the Sparrow unveils housing Local, B1
C-G sophomores both friends, competitors Sports, C1
DARK DAYS
Seasonal affective disorder more than the winter blues
Riley Mahoney (left) and Rachael Underwood
Huntley, Centegra break ice Village talks traffic, siting of new hospital By STEPHEN Di BENEDETTO sdibenedetto@shawmedia.com
Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
Justin Stone, 21, of Lake in the Hills poses for a portrait with his light-therapy box in his home Feb. 6. Stone always had withdrawn from his friends during the winter, and overall felt less energetic and motivated. Doctors told him he likely had seasonal affective disorder in 2011. By SHAWN SHINNEMAN sshinneman@shawmedia.com LAKE IN THE HILLS – For years, Justin Stone dreaded the onset of winter for the way it affected his mood. When winter hit, Stone would find himself withdrawing to his room, lethargic and lacking the desire to join his friends. “It was almost like I was unmotivated to do anything,” the 21-year-old from Lake in the Hills said. “I just didn’t care.” Last winter, Stone finally decided to
see a doctor, who told him he suffers from seasonal affective disorder. Commonly known as SAD, it is a mood disorder that can cause depression during the winter months. Many experts believe it is a result of depleted levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, and melatonin, a hormone. Each is affected by a lack of light. “It’s not understood that it’s a neurochemical disorder,” said Dr. Douglas
Seasonal affective disorder It’s more common in: n Women n Individuals with family members who have it and nonseasonal depression n Adults (on average, the first episode of seasonal affective disorder occurs at age 23.) n Individuals who live far from the equator
Source: Mayo Clinic
See SAD, page A6
HUNTLEY – Village trustees focused on traffic flow and design changes Thursday in their first planning meeting with Centegra Health System officials about the proposed $233 million Huntley hospital. The meet-and-greet style meeting allowed trustees and Huntley Plan Commission members to question Centegra Chief Executive Michael Eesley and other officials about the look and feel of the fivestory, 128-bed hospital. Eesley explained that Centegra’s recent decision to move the proposed facility about a half-mile south of the original location at Haligus and Reed roads was driven primarily by a desire to make the hospital more accessible to those using the nearby Centegra Health Bridge and ambulatory care mall. “We think it will make a more viable campus and an opportunity for people to really engage in all levels of care, from wellness to acute care,” Eesley said. “It’s a better use of that property.”
“We think it will make a more viable campus and an opportunity for people to really engage in all levels of care, from wellness to acute care. It’s a better use of that property.” Michael Eesley chief executive of Centegra
See CENTEGRA, page A6
Ill. Senate votes to legalize gay marriage; House vote next By SARA BURNETT The Associated Press SPRINGFIELD – The push to allow same-sex marriages in Illinois got its biggest victory to date Thursday with a historic Valentine’s Day vote in the state Senate, and supporters expressed confidence that within two weeks President Barack Obama’s home state could join nine others that have lifted their gaymarriage bans amid shifting public opinion.
With a 34-21 vote, senators advanced the measure to the House, where it could be a tougher sell even though Democrats also hold a majority there. Gov. Pat Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, has pledged to sign it into law should the House pass it, too. Senate approval was a significant – and at times elusive – step forward for the issue, just two years after legislators approved civil unions. Never had a plan to lift the gay-marriage ban won approval on the
LOCALLY SPEAKING
floor of either chamber. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, called it “a vote for the history books.” She said the measure’s strong showing in the Senate – where it needed 30 votes to pass – and the support of one Republican were good signs of what’s to come. Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, said “the prospects are very good” in the House, although he declined to discuss the roll call so far or say when a hearing will be. But other
supporters said it could be within the next two weeks. “As soon as we can send this bill to the governor and it becomes the law of the land I will be a very happy person and so will tens of thousands of families across Illinois,” Harris said. Polls show voters’ feelings shifting rapidly in favor of gay rights. Obama said last year he supports same-sex marriage, and
See SENATE, page A6
McHENRY
‘BLOOD FEUD’ LANDS MAN IN PRISON A McHenry man who shot another man and attacked him with a machete in an alleged blood feud that started in Mexico has been sentenced to 16 years in prison. Armando FerralMujica, 21, had faced between six and 30 years in prison. According to police, the attack happened Dec. 3, 2011, outside the victim’s McHenry apartment. For more, see page B2.
Bill Gitzke Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com
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28 12 Complete forecast on A10
CARY: After 51 years, Deputy Fire Chief Bill Gitzke walked through the Cary fire district firehouse one last time. Local, B1
Where to find it Advice Business Classified Comics
C6 F1-2 F3-14 C7
Vol. 28, Issue 46 Local&Region B1-5 Lottery A2 Movies D5 Obituaries B5
Opinion A7 Planit Screen D1-4 Puzzles F2, F7 Sports C1-5
How they voted Illinois senators voted, 34-21, to approve a measure to allow samesex couples to legally marry. It now moves to the state House where Democrats also hold a majority. n Althoff, R-32nd
District: No n Duffy, R-26th
District: No Pam Althoff
Dan Duffy
Karen McConnaughay
n McConnaughay,
R-33rd District: No
Winning is no accident. Franks, Gerkin & McKenna P.C. 815.923.2107 www.fgmlaw.com