Afternoon News Update: April 7

An early morning house fire in Rockford has killed two people. It happened just after midnight in the 400 block of Knowlton Street. Crews found the bodies of two men inside who are thought to be around 47 and 60 years-old each. Another man was able to escape and was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
An accused murderer will soon find out his fate. 24-year-old Kody Walsh was charged with first degree murder in the death of Lori Daniels and will be sentenced today. The jury claimed that he personally discharged the fire arm that killed Daniels. Walsh also led police on a manhunt until he was captured in Tennessee. He faces up to life in prison.
Rockford police have busted a drug dealer, putting an end to his neighborhood sales. Officials say 21-year-old Andre Tucker has been arrested for possession with intent to deliver. Officers found crack cocaine and other drug trafficking items over the weekend at his house in the 1000 block of Crosby Street. Tucker now faces felony charges and is being held without bond.
Lawyers representing five former fraternity members who are charged following the 2012 death of a pledge say Illinois' hazing law is unconstitutional. Defense attorneys are arguing the state's hazing statute is too vague and want a judge to drop the charges against their clients. The five men are accused of felony hazing in the death of Northern Illinois University freshman David Bogenberger.
Federal investigators say last month's commuter train crash at O'Hare Airport in Chicago cost $9 million in damage to the train and station. The preliminary report also says the train operator told investigators she hadn't gotten enough sleep and was tired before her March 23rd shift. The crash that injured more than 30 people happened a few hours later. The driver was fired last week.
Gas prices in Rockford remain higher than the rest of the nation. Despite prices dropping two cents in the past week, Stateline drivers are spending an average $3.65/gallon. That’s ten cents higher than the national average. Gas prices are five cents higher than this time last year.
If you’re taking a trip down Mulford on the city’s southeast side, expect delays. AT&T needs to access manholes for routine phone repairs. This will cause rolling closures for the southbound lanes of Mulford Road between State Street and Newburg Road. The work is scheduled to be completed by Tuesday, April 15, weather permitting.
American and United were the only domestic carriers to improve their on-time performance last year at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. This is according to academics who study the airline industry. The airline with the fewest customer complaints in 2013 was Southwest, the main carrier at Chicago’s Midway Airport.
Wisconsin wildlife officials are proposing their first changes to the state's invasive species regulations since 2009. Officials want to add more than 80 new organisms to the list and relax efforts to contain the emerald ash borer. The proposal would classify 50 more species as prohibited and 32 more as restricted.

Categories: News