Propane Disaster Averted / Futile Police Hunt / 'Black Lives Don't Matter' Cretin / Child Left in Hot Car

Thank you for reading Patch. Let’s catch up on your week in headlines across the Illinois Patch network.

» TOP STORIES

30 Departments Fend Off Disaster at Propane Plant Fire

The fire at Pinnacle Propane in Gurnee resulted in explosions and forced authorities to evacuate homes and businesses in the area.

2 Men Dodge Police in Hours-Long Search in Tinley Park

Police responded to a theft report at Sam's Club in Tinley Park and detained several people when two got loose, drove away and hit cars.

'Black Lives Don't Matter' Spewing Man Charged With Hate Crime: Prosecutor

Prosecutor said Tinley Park man yelled racial slurs and threw can of beer at African American woman.

Mom Accused of Accidentally Leaving 13-Month-Old in Hot Vehicle While at the Store: Cops

The Highland Park woman was charged with child endangerment after she left her child for 45 minutes in 80- to 90-degree heat Sunday.

Woman Hit by Lightning While Walking in Bolingbrook

She was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

40 More Years in Prison for Wife-Killing, Murder-Plotting Ex-Cop

Planning to kill a prosecutor adds 4 more decades to Drew Peterson's prison stint, making it ever more likely he will die behind bars.

‘He’s Stabbing Him:’ Video Shows Inmate Takeover of Cook County Jail

Watch the inmates flee from flash explosion as Cook County correctional officers storm housing tier during hostage incident.

• ALSO: Cook County Correctional Officer Charged in Inmate Beating

Amazon Fulfillment Center Opening in Romeoville

The business is hiring now for associate positions.

» DNC in PHILLY

Hillary Clinton: 'The World is Watching What We Do'

Clinton became the first woman to lead a major party's presidential ticket by accepting the nomination Thursday at the DNC.

Chicago Police Officer Thor Soderberg's Memory Honored at the DNC by His Widow

"Let us honor all of the fallen officers ... by acting as our officers did — helping others, bridging communities and building peace."

Mom-in-Chief Michelle Obama Delivers Lessons for a Playground Bully

The first lady brought down the house at the Democratic National Convention Monday night.

Watch Hillary Clinton's Childhood Pal Fight Tears as She Casts Illinois' Votes at DNC

Besty Ebeling, of Park Ridge, announced the state's 98 votes for Clinton during Tuesday night's roll call.

Also:

• Mothers of Sandra Bland and Other Slain Children Support Hillary at DNC
• 'You Are Not Fit to Be Commander in Chief': Tammy Duckworth Calls Out Donald Trump During DNC Speech
• Donald Trump Wants to 'Hit' Democratic Convention Speakers for What They Said About Him

» check out Patch's GOP Convention coverage, too

Stoned Mom Gets Arrested After Calling Cops and Lying About Guy Molesting Her Kid: Police

She was smoking pot with a guy when she called the cops on him and said he molested her 3-year-old, police said.

Nuns' Bookkeeper Stole Up to $500K Worth of Donations: Cops

The Orland Hills woman faces up to 30 years in prison.

Marist Senior Knocks National Anthem Out of Fenway Park

Marist student Claire Stillman gets invited to sing at Fenway after sending demo to Boston Red Sox.

Orland Fire Honors Chicago Officer Who Saved Boy from Drowning

Officer Cindy Guerra was given the William Bonner Life Saving Award this week.

Northbrook Teen Opera Singer Moves to Semifinal Round of 'America's Got Talent'

Watch Laura Bretan, 14, kill it with her performance of "The Prayer" during the show's live quarterfinals.

Popcorn Mogul Puts $3M Glencoe Mansion Back on the Market

SkinnyPop co-founder Andy Friedman and his wife bought the 5-bedroom home just two months ago.

Man Gets Grabby With 14-Year-Old Girl on I-294: Prosecutor

Plainfield man was picking up wife's goddaughter for a visit, prosecutor said.

Cast Members From Chicago-Based NBC Shows to Perform at Anti-Gun Violence Fundraiser

Actors from "Chicago P.D.," "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago Med" will be part of event to honor Des Plaines teen shot and killed last year.

State Rep. Ron Sandack Quits

The Downers Grove Republican gave up his seat for "cyber security issues."

Plainfield Teacher Heading to Rio to Watch Daughter in Olympics

Her daughter, Kelly Murphy, is a 2008 graduate of Joliet Catholic High School. She plays volleyball professionally and competes overseas.

Police Chief Responds to Man's Essay About Growing Up As A Black Man In Naperville

Former resident Brian Crooks' Facebook post has been shared more than 29,000 times.

Can You Help a Plainfield Man Walk Again?

He was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash July 23 at Caton Farm Rd. and Ruth Fitzgerald Drive.

Family Hoping to Flood Terminally Ill Grandma with Cards During Final Days

90-year-old Clara Nycz has been diagnosed with kidney failure.

Lawyer for Dennis Hastert Asks Judge to Dismiss Hush Money Lawsuit

Hastert was paying $3.5 million in hush money over sexual abuse decades ago.

Michael Jordan Donates $2 Million to Help Police and African-Americans Find Common Ground

He's "deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by cowardly ... targeting of police"

Swimmer Qualifies for Rio Paralympics

Alyssa Gialamas will travel to Baltimore to train under Loyola Maryland coach Brian Loeffler. The Paralympics will be held Sept. 7.

» ALSO WORTH A LOOK

Peacock Spreads its Feathers for Oswego Family

Fourth Rabid Bat Found in Will County

Evanston Misericordia Resident Throws Out First Pitch at White Sox Game

Boy, 6, Killed in I-88 Rollover Crash Near Aurora

2 Men Battle the Des Plaines River After Crash—and Win

Storm Causes Sparking, Explosion and Collapse of Blue Line L Station

United Airlines Flight Diverts to Chicago for Bomb Threat

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• ‘Creeper Ghost’ Caught on Video Burglarizing Chicago Home
• Burglars Save Dog From Hot Car by Breaking Window to Steal Laptop
• Nuns' Bookkeeper Stole Up to $500K Worth of Donations: Cops
• Teen Blamed For Killing 2 Cyclists Must Go Back Before Judge
• Mom Pleads Guilty in Cat Stabbing Case
• Suspicious Suitcase Prompts Evacuation of Bolingbrook 7-Eleven
• Trial Date Set for Sex Offender Accused of Entering School Zone
• Wardog Uncaged: MMA Fighter Freed While Facing Brutal Beating Case
• Investigators: Evanston Man Recorded 15-Year-Old Girl While She Showered
• Accused Drunken Driver Fought Deputies While Fleeing Court: Sheriff
• Penis Picture Painted on Hood of Tinley Park Man’s Lexus
• Pregnant Mom Accused of Pepper-Spraying Security Guards

» ALSO ON PATCH

• Chicago-Area Traffic and Transit Reports
• Search for Low Gas Prices