Safeway plans to sell Chicago-area Dominick’s stores
WWW.NWHERALD.COM
Matt Forte
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013
News, A3
75 CENTS
LOSING STREAK HALTED
The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
Arkush: Win aside, Bears still inconsistent
Sports, C1
Cancer plaintiff gets new trial Appeals court overturns decision to dismiss McCullom Lake suit By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com After a 2½-year appeal, McCullom Lake brain cancer plaintiff Joanne Branham will get a new trial.
A Pennsylvania appeals court on Wednesday overturned a judge’s decision to dismiss the case and grant judgment in favor of Rohm and Haas, whose Ringwood specialty chemical plant is accused in 33 law-
suits of causing a cluster of brain and pituitary tumors in McCullom Lake and the neighboring Lakeland Park subdivision in McHenry. And because the judge has since been reassigned over an ethical gaffe, Branham will get a new one. The case of Branham, who lost her husband, Franklin, to glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer in 2004, was the first to go to trial. She sued in 2006, along with two of her
former neighbors, who were diagnosed with an even rarer type of brain tumor. Plaintiffs’ attorney Aaron Freiwald hailed the ruling Thursday. The case is being heard in Pennsylvania because the world headquarters of Rohm and Haas, now a subsidiary of Dow Chemical Co., is based in Philadelphia.
See CANCER, page A6
Football night in America
About this series “Coincidence or Cluster?” is the Northwest Herald’s ongoing investigation of the McCullom Lake brain cancer lawsuits.
Lack of funding dooms agency Advantage Group closes its doors By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com
Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com
Crystal Lake Central senior Justin Vallee amps up the crowd Oct. 4 before the start of the high school football game against Grayslake North. Vallee, 17, is part of a group of seniors who lead chants at the Tigers’ games. “I always gave all-out, ever since I was a freshman,” Vallee said. By SHAWN SHINNEMAN sshinneman@shawmedia.com
E
ach week, communities flock to their local high schools on Friday evenings. While their teams lock into battle under the lights, fans fill the seats and line the fences. They support their schools, their families, their towns. They display their team colors, huddle under
Taking in the sights and sounds of a McHenry County high school game blankets and stuff their faces with nachos. It is an experience that has become an iconic image of American culture. The Northwest Herald recently attended a local game during homecoming to take in the
sights and sounds of high school football in McHenry County. 6:19 p.m.: The sky presenting a deeper blue by the second, three juniors make their way toward Owen Metcalf Field in Crystal Lake.
They pass a practicing band, vibrate through a pathway between tennis courts. They make a left toward the ticket booth, find friends. Hugs, smiles and I love yous ensue. This is the pregame glow of Crystal Lake Central’s homecoming football game against Grayslake North. Clad in orange and
See FOOTBALL, page A6
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: WATCH A LIVE WEBCAST OF CARY-GROVE AT JACOBS AT 7:15 P.M.
A young adult substance abuse treatment agency plagued by recent controversy closed Thursday after 27 years. The Advantage Group, based in Crystal Lake, shut down for lack of funding. The group lost funding from Breaking the McHenry Coun- news ty Mental Health Board last year on your after an audit re- phone vealed multiple fiscal irregularities, Text the and another con- keyword troversy scrapped NWHNEWS to a last-ditch effort 74574 to sign to secure a $49,000 up for breakpayment to stay ing news text afloat. The group un- alerts from successfully took the Northwest the Mental Health Herald. MesBoard to court, and sage and data the audit prompted rates apply. an ongoing state investigation into TAG’s finances. Executive Director Pat Owens pinned blame for the closing squarely on the board, which disburses property-tax revenue to agencies working with the mentally ill and disabled. “TAG has provided free services to this community, served thousands in the past couple of years, and the Mental Health Board essentially starved us,” Owens said.
See AGENCY, page A6
LOCALLY SPEAKING
WONDER LAKE
CHAMBER PRESIDENT STEPS DOWN Dennis Palys has served as the Wonder Lake Chamber of Commerce president for 15 years, was a member of his subdivision’s association and has volunteered for other area clubs and organizations. A few months after taking office as a village trustee, he has decided to retire as Chamber president, though he still plans to be an active member. For more, see page E1.
Mark Schuring Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
HIGH
LOW
76 53 Complete forecast on A8
HARVARD: Victim’s nephew starts animal therapy program for survivors of domestic violence. Local&Region, B1 Vol. 28, Issue 284
Where to find it Advice Business Buzz Classified
C10 E1-2 C12 E3-12
Comics C11 Local&Region B1-6 Lottery A2 Movies C9
Obituaries Opinion Puzzles Sports
B5 A7 E2, 9 C1-8