School Official Charged with $1.5 Million Theft; Killer Gets 75 Years: Patch Roundup

By Darren McRoy

Here are some of the top stories from the past week in Patch's west Chicago region:

LA GRANGE—Ex-Official Charged with $1.5 Million Theft from Lyons Township Treasurer’s Office—Healy, 54, resigned last year amid allegations that he misused $500,000 in vacation and sick time.

DARIEN—Darien Family Murderer Jacob Nodarse Gets 75 Years In Prison—Jacob Nodarse, the gunman in the March 2010 Kramer family murders, apologized Monday and did not expect leniency during his sentencing hearing.

DOWNERS GROVE—Downers Grove Man Charged in DUI Crash That Injured Two Teens—Bail was set at $200,000 for Jamie Delara-Rodriguez, 25, who is accused of driving with a blood alcohol level that was more than twice the legal limit.

GENEVA—Former Genevan Brutally Beaten After Calling Out Side-Street Speeder—A fund is set up to help with medical expenses of man beaten and “left for dead” after he yelled at a speeder to slow down.

LA GRANGE—Man Perched Atop Fountain Busted with Drugs: Police—The man spent several minutes shouting at passers by before officers got him to climb down.

ST. CHARLES—Charlestowne Mall Under Contract for Sale—No closing date is set yet, but the mayor is optimistic about the pending purchase of the property.

DOWNERS GROVE—Downers Grove North Alum Cooks His Way to Dream Job on Food Network's 'Chef Wanted'—Chicago area Executive Chef Chris Turano beat three other chefs to become the Chef de Cuisine for The Bistro in Santa Barbara, CA.

ELMHURST—Mr. Fix-It Lou Manfredini Opening Villa Park Ace Hardware—Lou Manfredin is opening an Ace Hardware this month at 46 S. Villa Ave. in Villa Park. He is best known for his appearances as a contributor on The Today Show; his show, HomeSmarts, which will move to WGN this fall; and his radio call-in show, The Mr. Fix-It Show, on WGN-AM 720.

BATAVIA—Police Charge 4 in Connections With Series of Home Burglaries—At least three burglaries took place at night when residents were in their homes.

BURR RIDGE—Regulators Recommend Disbarment for Burr Ridge Resident Niew—The author and radio host is facing the loss of her Illinois law license over alleged misuse of a $2.3 million real-estate investment.

HINSDALE—Hinsdale-Native Businessman Killed in Bike/Car Crash—Kevin Flynn, born in Hinsdale and known as a central figure in the late-90's Rosemont casino efforts, died Monday in southwest Michigan.