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🌱 Patch AM: 6 Arlington Heights Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Also check out Rotary Club of Palatine Oktoberfest on the Arlington Heights Patch calendar

Friday September 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi Arlington Heights! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ā˜•ļøļø

In today's newsletter:

  • Six local scholars advance in prestigious National Merit competition
  • Police probe overnight vehicle and garage burglaries on village's west side
  • What Chief Pecora's retirement means for Arlington Heights policing next year

Also on today's calendar: Rotary Club of Palatine Oktoberfest and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? šŸ¤” (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Clouds and sun; less humid, with a high of 73 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Saturday: Humid with rain and a t-storm, temps: high: 76, low: 64.
  • Sunday: Some rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 68 and low of 59 degrees.

šŸ“° News we're reading

1. 6 Arlington Heights Students Named National Merit Semifinalists (patch.com) — Arlington Heights families can celebrate six local students who have advanced to semifinalist status in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, five from John Hersey High School and one from St. Viator. These high-achieving seniors now move on in a competitive process that could earn them part of $24 million in college scholarships, based on applications, essays, recommendations, and test scores.
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2. Burglars Target Vehicles, Garages In Arlington Heights (patch.com) — Arlington Heights residents are being urged to secure vehicles and garages after a string of early-morning burglaries on South Princeton Avenue and Surrey Ridge Drive, where thieves targeted unlocked cars and used garage remotes to enter homes. Police are pursuing leads using license plate readers and surveillance footage and are asking neighbors to check their cameras and report any suspicious activity tied to two stolen Lincoln Navigators.
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3. Arlington Heights police chief to retire after 44 years with department (dailyherald.com) — Arlington Heights residents will see a major change in local policing as longtime Police Chief Nick Pecora retires in November after 44 years with the department and decades living in the village. Village officials praise his leadership through the pandemic, major crime responses, and Bears redevelopment planning, and will now launch a competitive search for his successor to keep the department nationally accredited and fully staffed.
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4. Bears stadium talks: Records show team executive met with top Illinois official (fox32chicago.com) — Chicago Bears executives quietly met with top Illinois officials last month, even as the team publicly talks up a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana. The team is still evaluating its 326-acre Arlington Heights property, while the village has renewed its Springfield lobbying push, keeping alive the possibility that a major NFL stadium and related infrastructure could still land in town.
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5. Mount Prospect board discussing pay hikes for mayor, trustee (dailyherald.com) — Mount Prospect officials are weighing sizable pay raises for their mayor and trustees, comparing compensation to neighboring suburbs like Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and Elk Grove Village. The proposed increases wouldn't take effect until 2029, but supporters say higher stipends are needed to attract diverse, qualified candidates and cover out-of-pocket costs tied to what they describe as a 24/7 public service role.
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šŸ“ø Around Arlington Heights

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šŸ’¬ Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • If you want to support native pollinators in your garden, you need the native plants they evolved with.
    These are Peck's skipper butterflies on Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) now blooming. The population of this butterfly has tripled since I… (Nextdoor Greens)
  • Township High School District 214 posted a job opening for Long Term Substitute - Art Teacher 1.0 FTE in Arlington Heights. Apply here.
  • Meijer, Inc. posted a job opening for Produce Clerk in Rolling Meadows. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Arlington Heights here.

Ok Arlington Heights! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

šŸ‘‰ Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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