Illinois
Bakery sues roofing contractor after fire in McHenry, Illinois
A bakery is suing a roofing company after a fire destroyed two businesses in McHenry, Illinois, back in January.
According to the Northwest Herald, the Riverside Bake Shop, which has been a community staple for more than 50 years, claims APR Roofing was negligent while performing work on the roof.
While the fire that gutted the bakery at 1309 Riverside Dr. in McHenry on Sunday, Jan. 18, was found to be accidental, the bakery alleges the roofers heated up the wood board under the roof, and this led to the fire, the Northwest Herald reported.
The bakery sustained more than $1 million in damage.
Court documents confirm the lawsuit, and show the bakery is asking for a jury trial and damages in excess of $50,000.
Pet food and supply store Reeses Barkery and Pawtique was located in the same building and was also gutted in the fire. The pet food store has since reopened on Pearl Street.
In a statement on the store’s Facebook page, the owners of Reeses Barkery and Pawtique said the reopening came thanks to the support they received frm the community.
“Three months ago, everything changed. There are moments you never forget. Walking through the damage. Not knowing what came next. Wondering how you even begin again,” the business said in part. “But then something incredible happened. Our community showed up. You checked on us. You supported us. You walked back through our doors. Because of you, we are still here. Still standing. Still spoiling pets.”
The George Thompson Insurance Agency and McHenry Dental Associates were also damaged in the fire, according to the McHenry Chamber of Commerce.
Illinois
Illinois baseball drops Saturday home game vs Nebraska
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Illinois baseball was unable to clinch the series win on Saturday at home against Nebraska.
After beating the 20th-ranked Cornhuskers 10-5 on Friday night, Nebraska evened the series with a 10-5 win on Saturday.
Illini starter Mitch Dye allowed eight runs, five being earned, in 3.1 innings pitched.
AJ Putty, Kyle Schupmann, Daniel Contreras and J.R. Nelson all drove in runs for Illinois – but the Illini failed to capitalize heavily in the fourth inning after loading the bases with no one ount – coming away with just one run as the Huskers nabbed an inning ending double play.
Illinois falls to 21-20 overall with the loss, and 9-11 in conference play. The rubber match between these two Big Ten foes is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Illinois
Donut shop broken into in Gurnee, Illinois
A donut shot in Gurnee, Illinois, was broken into overnight.
Gurnee Donuts owners posted on Facebook showing shattered glass in the doorway and on the sidewalk. “We are upset, but good,” owners said in the post.
In the post, owners said several other “neighbors were broken into.”
Owners said nothing of value was taken and the Gurnee Police Department are assisting.
Gurnee Donuts will remain open for businesses the door is boarded up.
Illinois
Patriots take Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas 55th overall in 2026 NFL Draft
After taking a tackle in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Patriots traded up on Day 2 to address their other major need – edge rusher. On Friday night, the Patriots selected Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas 55th overall.
Moving up from the 63rd overall pick, the Patriots sent that pick along with Picks 131 (fourth) and 202 (sixth) to the Los Angeles Chargers. This is the second time the Patriots have moved up, after going from 31 to 28 on Thursday night.
Jacas, who turns 22 next month, was a four-year starter for the Illini and team captain in 2025. Over the past two years he has 26.5 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in 25 games, plus three forced fumbles in each season. That includes 11 sacks in 12 games last year.
At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds Jacas is one of the most violent edge rushers in the draft – a trait this Patriots coaching staff has highlighted a lot since being assembled last year. He was a two-time state champion wrestler at Fort Pierce Central High School in Florida, and that wrestling background shows up in his play style.
As a rusher he has heavy hands and plays with a relentless motor, delivering big hits when he gets into the backfield against the run and pass. He should only improve as his pass rush toolbox continues to develop. During the pre-draft process, Jacas met with the Patriots on a top-30 visit.
In New England, Jacas joins an edge rusher rotation highlighted by Harold Landry and free agent signing Dre’Mont Jones, with Landry working his way back from a knee injury that limited him for much of last season. 2025 UDFA Elijah Ponder projects as one of the top rotational players, with Bradyn Swinson and Jesse Luketa likely competing for depth spots. The Patriots finished last year’s regular season with 35 sacks as a team, tied for the 22nd most in the NFL.
Jacas is the first Illinois player drafted by the Patriots since they took guard Ted Karras in the sixth round in 2016. According to Pro Football Reference, he’s the 12th Illinois player ever drafted by the Patriots.
The Patriots still have one pick remaining on Day 2. They’re scheduled to be back on the clock with the 95th overall selection, at the end of the third round.
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