The group working to build a veterans memorial in Bartlett hopes construction for their plan — with a smaller price tag because of the economy — will begin in July.
 

Store managers at Stratford Square Mall said crowds today have been busier than expected.
 

Autopsies conducted Thursday show that the father killed his wife and kids — ages 12 and 8 — before turning the gun on himself.

Glenbard West and Wheaton Warrenville South are taking the battle for bragging rights to the big stage in Saturday's Class 7A state championship game. The seniors from both teams have a unique history against one another, but the rivalry goes back much further than that.

Also, quarterback Brandon Pechloff of Glen Ellyn leads Montini's Cinderella run to the Class 5A title game against Joliet Catholic.

Check out championship weekend coverage at FNL.MYSUBURBANLIFE.COM.

From prep sports to community events, SNAPSHOTS is the place to view and purchase pictures taken by the award-winning photographers at Suburban Life Publications. But it's also much more. SNAPSHOTS allows to you customize gift items featuring your photo, and it also has reprints of pages that were published in Suburban Life newspapers.

FOR A LIMITED TIME, TAKE 35% OFF ALL PHOTO REPRINT PURCHASES. ENTER CODE PHOTO35 AT CHECKOUT.

This special sale runs through Monday, Nov. 30.

The year's biggest travel period is underway. AAA says more people will be traveling this Thanksgiving compared to last year, and the majority of them will take to the roads. But with lingering economic worries, the number of drivers and flyers is still expected to be down from past years.

After the turkey is eaten and the dishes done, are you the kind of person who puts Christmas lights up right away? If so, snap a photo and send it to us. Suburban Life Publications is having a contest to see the best home holiday decorations.

E-mail your photos to bhudson@mysuburbanlife.com by Dec. 9 with “Holiday Lights” in the subject line. We'll publish the best photos during Christmas week.

The polling firm Gallup reported this year that 39 percent of Americans accept the truth of evolution, that 36 percent have no opinion on it, and that 25 said they don’t believe it. With such apathy toward the natural world, it’s no wonder children from other nations have surpassed American students in science and technology.

YOUR VIEW
In addition to more-frequent local editorials, our expanded opinions coverage features a forum seeking your take on a key issue being talked about around town. Here's the current topic:

Some of Santa's helpers are concerned that children are spreading germs to the Man in Red when they visit him. This has prompted some to advocate offering the vaccine for swine flu to those who portray Santa. Should shopping mall Santas be given a priority in receiving the H1N1 vaccine?

Click here to leave a comment. You can also e-mail your comment here. Or leave a message at (630) 368-8882.

Baby squirrels may have been a reason for last year’s split between the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and a charitable group that raises money to fund the rehabilitation of wild animals.

The Forest Preserve has filed suit against the DuPage Wildlife Foundation, claiming the organization is holding on to charity money that should belong to the district’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center.

A Hanover Park man was charged with aggravated driving under the influence Sunday on Lake Street, the Bartlett Police Department said.
 

The Bartlett Police Department cited two 17-year-olds for underage drinking early Sunday morning.
 

The Village of Bartlett and the Bartlett Police Department were awarded a second place national award in the 15,000-49,000 population category on behalf of the National Association of Town Watch for its outstanding participation in the 26th Annual National Night Out from July 30 to Aug. 4.
 

An Amber Alert issued out of Lemont Township has been canceled, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Tip-off for the 2009-10 boys basketball season is next week. Meet your team's veteran stars and promising new talent as they begin their march toward postseason glory. Find team previews here.

Two men were charged with residential burglary after stealing video game equipment from a Bartlett home Tuesday, police said.