Another Retailer Set To Close Half Its Stores | PatchPM

Share-worthy stories from the Illinois Patch network to talk about tonight:

Chain With 26 IL Stores Closing Up To 450 Locations

The retailer said Monday the plans were to "better align its business with the current operating environment."

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Is Hiring: When It's Visiting Illinois

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is hiring 'Hotdoggers' to travel the country and spread the gospel to hot dog fans everywhere.

Big Jump In Flu Cases In Illinois, Nationally

Government health officials say 2019 total flu cases through Dec. 28 led to at least 6.4 million illnesses, 55,000 hospitalizations and 2,900 deaths.

5 Teens Steal $20,000 In Purses From Louis Vuitton: Police

Witnesses said the shoplifting group was in and out of the luxury retailer within seconds, according to police.

Teacher Breaks Neck In Car Accident: GoFundMe

Donna Zawisza-Dineen, a teacher at Jefferson Elementary, was injured in the accident when an accused drunken driver hit her car head-on.

$3M Bail For Eye Doctor Charged With Murder

Anthony R. Prate would have to post 10 percent, or $300,000, to be released while awaiting trial in his girlfriend's stabbing death. Authorities are also taking a fresh look at his wife's 2011 death.

Illinois To Stop 'Unethical' Red-Light Camera Ticket Collections

Here's when the state will stop helping municipalities collect fines, according to Comptroller Mendoza's office.

Also Worth a Look Today

• Legal Marijuana Sales Hit Nearly $11 Million In First 5 Days In Illinois
• Residents Question Town's Marijuana Survey
• Woman Shouted Racial Slurs, Punched Victim In Banquet Hall Attack: Cops
• 'Good Boy' K9 Diesel And Partner Help In Lake County Search
• Uber Driver Sentenced In Sex Abuse Case
• Off-Duty Sergeant Killed In Crash
• Suspicious Fires At Vacant House Under Investigation
• Touch A T-Rex Skull At Conservation Expo
• Plumbers Local Opens Apprenticeship Application Period
• Pedestrian Hurt In Hit And Run Sues Village, Former Village Manager
• Target Celebrates New Distribution Center
• Bridge Closure: Nobody Knows When It Will Open

Across America

• Walmart Goes Buggy, State Police Bedbug Probe
• U.S. Family Attacked On Mexico Highway, 13-Year-Old Girl Dead

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