Patch Darien, IL --Here are some of the top stories from the past week in Patch's west Chicago region:
*Downers Grove—Downers Grove Teen Overcomes Fear, Disability to Save Family from Fire*—Autistic teen Brendon Harrison alerted his mother to a burning humidifier around 1:20 a.m. Sunday, allowing his family to exit the home and prevent significant damage.
*River Forest—Man Sexually Assaults Woman with Sword in River Forest: Police*—The woman escaped and was able to call police, who arrested a suspect and charged him with felony sexual assault.
*Winfield—Winfield Bank Robbed, 2 Schools Had 'Soft Lockdowns'—*Officials are investigating a bank robbery in Winfield around noon Thursday. District 200 spokesman confirms two schools had soft lockdowns.
*Hinsdale—Piano Gallery Remains Open For Business After Being Hit By 2 Cars in 3 Days*—The Steinway Piano Gallery remains open after two accidents involving cars driving into the business a few weeks ago. Temporary doors were being installed Monday.
*Glen Ellyn—Police: Glen Ellyn Man Left Elderly Mother to Die on Floor*—**The 64-year-old man is charged with criminal neglect for allegedly abandoning his 88-year-old mother for weeks while she lay dying in their shared home.
*Carol Stream—Former Wheaton North Booster Club President Accused of Stealing More Than $10,000*—Former Wheaton North Booster Club (WNBC) president and school receptionist Dorothy "Dee" Horky allegedly took more than $10,000 from the booster club after her five-year term expired, officials say.
*Lemont—Obama: Argonne Sequester Cuts Could Hinder U.S. Economy, Advancement—*President Barack Obama underscored the importance of investing in scientific research during a speech on American energy at Argonne National Laboratory on Friday.
*La Grange Park*—*La Grange Park Man Charged with Criminal HIV Transmission: Sheriff*—John Savage, a Cicero police officer, failed to tell a man that he had HIV before they engaged in sexual activity, the Cook County Sheriff said.
*Batavia—Maintenance Work Sparks Fire at The Holmstad Retirement Community*—Quick work by Batavia, Geneva and North Aurora firefighters prevents fire from spreading; no one hurt.
*Darien—Watchdog Group: Tri-State Chief, Trustee’s Relationship is Conflict of Interest*—Tri-State Fire Protection District Chief Michelle Gibson’s life partner Jill Strenzel is a member of the board that governs the agency, the Better Government Organization found.
*Downers Grove—Joliet Diocese List of Credibly Accused Abusers Includes Former Downers Grove Pastor*—Total of priests believed to have abused children now stands at 34.
*Batavia*—*For Batavians, Jenny McCarthy Really Is the Girl Next Door*—Jenny talks about wardrobe malfunctions and gives a shout-out to Geneva on the "Rachael Ray Show."
*Naperville**—**Charter School Plan to Go Before Naperville District 203 Board*—A virtual charter school accused of asking teachers to delete bad grades wants to come to Naperville District 203 schools; a public hearing on the proposal is set for March 18.
*Geneva—Virtual Charter School a No-Show at Public Hearing*—Virtual Learning Solutions is scheduled to make a case for an online charter school for Geneva and 17 other school districts—but no one shows up. Reported by Patch 14 hours ago.
