Patch Flash: Rare Blue Bullfrog Found in Chicago Suburb

The controversial “legislative scholarship” program, was formally dismantled last week by Gov. Pat Quinn after decades of abuse by legislators who awarded the free-tuition waivers. An analysis by the Better Government Association found that 1,200 scholarships awarded over the past decade or so – or roughly one in 10 – went to politically active families that had the financial wherewithal to collectively donate $1.6 million to the campaign funds of state and local politicians.

While on a nature walk in the Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn resident Jerry Zamirowski made a rare discovery: a blue bullfrog. The frog's coloration is the result of a genetic mutation. The blue bullfrog sighting was the first on record in the county.  DuPage County Forest Preserve District public affairs specialist Bonnie Olszewski said "we've never seen anything exactly like that before." 

An Arlington Heights, Ill. family made a gruesome discovery after returning from vacation: Coco, their family dog, dead inside an oven. The family alerted police after they came home to what appeared to be a burglary last week in the 1500 block of West Roanoke Drive. Their dog, a Cavachon, was also missing. The dog was found by the family's 9-year-old girl in a convection oven. Police have determined that the break-in was a domestic case and have identified an ex-boyfriend out on bond from a previous domestic charge as a person of interest in the crime.

. Lake County Coroner Artis Yancy said there was nothing unusual about Kut's body, no signs of trauma or foul play. He indicated a toxicology report is still pending and could take up to a couple of weeks for results.

, restaurants and upgraded mall entrances. The plan calls for 19,000 square feet of restaurants, retail space and a new mall entrance. There would also be a state-of-the-art, 12-screen cinema complex, Kashima said, that could include a bar for patrons. 

with no current plans to move forward. In fact, it is currently for sale by Diversified Development Realty. DDR purchased the land with plans to build a shopping center similar to or larger than the Deer Park Town Center at Rand and Long Grove Roads in Deer Park.

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