2014's Most-Read Stories on the Patch Chicago Network

A look back at some of the most-read stories of 2014 on the Patch Chicago network.

Bolingbrook Officer Filmed Playing Video Poker in His Squad Car

January: A YouTube video of a police officer allegedly playing video poker while driving in a snowstorm surfaced Tuesday night.

Injured Bald Eagle Rescued in Oak Lawn Yard

February: The eagle has landed, and he injured his wing. Dramatic Oak Lawn bald eagle rescue.

Prom Queen: Gay Teen to Dazzle in Drag at Senior Prom

February: Orland Park teen Jacob Szymanski wants to blaze a path for other gay students. Mom says she wishes she had “his kind of guts.”

Muslim Woman Discovers Friendly New World When a Winter Scarf Covers Her Hijab

February: Chicago’s bitter cold temps led to an impromptu social experiment when Leena Suleiman bundled up in a knit scarf and cap.

Son of Infamous ‘Welfare Queen’ Believes His Mom Stole Baby Paul Fronczak in 1964

March: ABC’s 20/20 chases tip that leads FBI to take another look at Linda Taylor as culprit in famous Chicago baby snatching.

» more stories from January, February and March

Lobby Love: Teens Caught Having Sex in Condo Entryway

April: The teens run away, but not until the boy declares his anguish before a startled witness to their inappropriate tryst.

DEA & Shorewood Cops Raid Woman’s Home After She Shops at Indoor Garden Center

April: The woman said she only bought organic fertilizer for her hibiscus plant, but DEA agents and Shorewood police raided her house and arrested her.

Cop Charged in Beanbag Shooting Death of 95-Year-Old WWII Vet

April: John Wrana died after Park Forest police Tasered him and then shot him with beanbag rounds at close range in his senior-living facility.

Miley Cyrus Gang Hurled Racist Taunts Before Attacking Couple In Joliet Bar: Witness

May: The Miley Cyrus Gang subjected a man to racial slurs before beating him and his girlfriend in a Joliet bar.

Young Parents Jailed and Facing Charges for Starving Twin Babies

May: A judge set bail at $250,000 after the medical examiner ruled one infant’s death a homicide by malnutrition.

Julia Collins of Illinois Now Has 3rd Highest ‘Jeopardy’ Win Streak

May: Kenilworth resident racking up the wins and the dollars. She has the longest winning streak of any woman in “Jeopardy” history.

Mother and Child Attacked Outside Chicago Church for Being ‘Happy’

June: “I have to kill you,” attacker shouted as 8-year-old girl on her way home from school hits him with backpack and runs for help.

» more stories from April, May and June

Nurse Had Sex with Cardiac Patient Prepping for Transplant: Lawsuit

September: As a man awaited heart transplant surgery at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, a nurse came into his room and “initiated unsolicited sexual relations, including intercourse” with him, according to a lawsuit.

Homecoming Sweethearts: Tinley Park HS Alum Pops Surprise Proposal

September: A Tinley Park Titan love story came full circle as one alumnus returned to his alma mater to pop a very important question to his high school sweetheart.

Little Company of Mary Mourns Loss of Sisters Killed In 95th Street Crash

October: Both sisters were killed in an 11-vehicle crash at 95th Street and Cicero Avenue while returning home from an afternoon of shopping on Sunday.

Sperm Bank Sued For Mistakenly Sending White Women a Black Man’s Sperm

October: An Ohio mom is suing a sperm bank in Downers Grove for giving her and her partner the wrong sperm, leading to the birth of a mixed-race child two years ago.

Inventive Mom’s Mother-Child Winter Mitten Combo Keeps Hands and Hearts Warm

November: Mom Kara Taylor is seeing good sales for her new Forget Me Knot classic wool mittens. When you just don’t want to let go of your little one, Kara Taylor can lend a hand. And a mitten. Well, actually, a mitten inside a mitten.

Young Woman Shot at Nordstrom Store Was Stalked by the Son of Chicago Cops

November: A man shot a woman behind the cosmetics counter of the Michigan Avenue Nordstrom store in downtown Chicago Friday evening and then turned the gun on himself.

Amy Jacobson Bikini Pool Party Video Case Headed to Supreme Court

December: Seven years ago, she lost her job as a reporter for her actions while covering Lisa Stebic’s disappearance. Her lawsuit drags on.

Jackie Robinson West Little League Accused of Cheating on Residency

December: Suburban Little League claims many players were from the suburbs. “We absolutely did not cheat,” says Bill Haley.

» more stories from the fall and winter of 2014