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SMART COOKIE A few simple techniques can lead to the perfect cut holiday butter cookie / D1 NWHerald.com
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Cary man gets probation, jail time Accused of possessing 100 pounds of marijuana, packaging materials By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – A judge ordered probation for a Cary man accused of possessing more than 100 pounds of marijuana. Vincent C. O’Brien, 63, was charged in April with various drug offenses, including one that
carried a sentencing range of six to 30 years behind bars. On Monday, O’Brien pleaded guilty to a Class 1 felony, and in addition to two years of probation, he was sentenced to 180 days in the McHenry County Jail. The more serious charge was dropped. His defense attorney, Mark Facchini, said after O’Brien’s
court appearance that his client lived a “substantially law-abiding life” before his arrest. “He has no prior criminal history,” Facchini said. He will receive credit for one day served since his arrest before posting $10,000 to be released. With additional day-for-day credit, he could be eligible for release
in 90 days. The plea was accepted by McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather. At the time of his arrest, authorities said O’Brien’s Cary home was believed to be a stash house for marijuana. After a search of the home, members of the Rockford Drug Enforcement
Administration office and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force seized 50 pounds of marijuana, $8,000, scales and packaging materials. They later found an additional 50 pounds in a vehicle. Authorities estimated the street value of the drugs to be $500,000.
Vincent C. O’Brien
Wage, tax votes dead until next session Illinois lawmakers will adjourn without lame-duck session By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com The Illinois House will adjourn Wednesday without taking up a minimum wage vote or most other serious legislation until the swearing-in of the new General Assembly and Governor-elect Bruce Rauner. House Speaker Michael Madigan told fellow Democrats on Tuesday that the 98th General Assembly will adjourn with the end of business, state Rep. Jack Franks, D-MarenMichael go, said. LawmakMadigan ers will reconvene Jan. 14 with the seating of the 99th General Assembly. This also means there will be no January lame-duck sesState Rep. sion in which legJack Franks islation can get rammed through by outgoing lawmakers, including any extension of the 2011 income tax increase set to substantially expire Jan. 1. Madigan spokesman Steve Brown confirmed the news, and said that while Madigan firmly believes in raising the minimum wage, the number of different versions and conflicting interests are preventing him from marshaling the needed votes. Franks said the move also may be a gesture of good faith on Madigan’s part.
Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
Laura Johnson goofs around with her 8-year-old cat, Ozzy, on Tuesday at her Crystal Lake home. In October, Johnson was taking her dog on a walk in front of her home when a vehicle jumped the curb and killed her dog and ran over Johnson’s foot. Because of Johnson’s disability, the dog was her best friend and a chance to be responsible and care for something.
CL police help disabled woman recover after dog killed in crash Mother pushes for stiffer charges for neighbor accused of drunken driving unconditional companionship but for the development of life skills. Johnson would take the poodle out, CRYSTAL LAKE – Laura John- cook rice for its food and take it for son expected to spend years with walks, which helped her interact her best friend Scooby. with neighbors. Johnson, who is 33 but has the But Scooby suddenly was taken mental development of a 12-year- away from her in the early morning old because of a disability, relied hours of Oct. 26 when a car jumped on her furry friend not only for the curb and killed her companion
By JEFF ENGELHARDT
jengelhardt@shawmedia.com
as Johnson was walking him. The driver, Damian Dzitkowski, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, a misdemeanor. Judith Johnson, Laura’s mother, said the memory of that early-morning incident is still clear and her daughter is both physically and emotionally recovering from the traumatic episode. The car also
clipped Laura Johnson’s right leg, causing a lingering foot injury. “She spent all kinds of time with him,” Judith Johnson said. “Scooby [and her cat] are her whole life.” While the road to recovery has been difficult, Judith Johnson said she has been overwhelmed with
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McHenry property tax bills could rise for first time in three years if approved / A3 STATE
At her best Jacobs’ Lauren Van Vlierbergen named Northwest Herald’s high school Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year / C2
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