Drunk Teen With Machine Gun Accidentally Shoots Younger Sister: Officials

FAR NORTHERN SUBURBS, IL — Happy Friday! Here is a roundup of the top news stories making headlines across the far northern suburbs this morning.

An 18-year-old man faces several charges for accusations he shot his younger sister — a 14-year-old girl — in the arm while intoxicated, prosecutors said. The man remains behind bars in Lake County as court proceedings are expected to move forward in the case.

• MORE: Drunk Teen With Machine Gun Accidentally Shoots Younger Sister: Prosecutors

A suburban middle school will unveil its $7 million stage addition during a public open house next week. School officials say the addition provides a long-needed home for theater, music and other fine arts programs.

• MORE: Mundelein Middle School To Unveil $7M Stage Addition With Open House Next Week

A home in Vernon Hills is uninhabitable following a fire Thursday afternoon. No one was injured in the blaze, officials said.

• MORE: Vernon Hills Home Is Uninhabitable After Thursday Fire

Weekend Fun

• Six Flags Opening Weekend: The popular theme park in Gurnee will welcome thrill seekers back as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this season. New this year: Free passes for some of its youngest visitors.
• Fourth Fridays Art Event at the Dole: 6 to 9 p.m. on April 24 at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake
• Puppy Painting Party on April 25 at Lambs Farm
• Family Kity Fly at Century Park in Vernon Hills on April 25
• Long Grove's 9th Annual Craft Beer Festival, noon to 4 p.m. on April 25
• Woodstock Indoor Farmers Market: April 25
• Tulip Festival at Richardson Adventure Farm: opened on April 22. More information here.
• Indoor Farmers Market at the Dole, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 26 at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake
• Spring Craft Market, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in April 26 at Sew'd Hopped Brewing in Huntley

Weekend Weather, Flooding

It will be another pleasant day, temperature-wise, on Friday, with highs in the 70s. But there are showers and thunderstorms in the forecast throughout the day for towns across the far northern suburbs.

The additional rainfall will come at a time when the Fox River is already well above flood stage and the Des Plaines River also is hitting max capacity. Major flooding is being reported along the Chain O' Lakes and northern portion of the Fox River while minor flooding is occurring along the Des Plaines River, according to the National Weather Service.

• MORE: Fox River Well Above Flood Stage With More Rain in Forecast

The rest of the weekend is expected to be dry. High temps in the 60s and 70s are in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, weather officials will be monitoring a severe weather threat that is possible Monday.

Other Top Stories Worth A Read

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• Starbucks Rolls Out Chicago-Area Cafe Makeovers With Suburban Locations Part Of Major Expansion
• Coroner Releases Cause Of Death For 'Home Alone' House Owner Found Dead In Nature Preserve: Lake County Coroner
• Iconic Mall Retailer Quietly Closing Dozens Of Stores: See IL Locations
• Vision-Impaired Girl Seeks Votes In 'America's Most Artistic Kid' Contest
• Investigators Say ‘Likely Suspects’ Identified In Mysterious Disappearance Of Lake County Man
• Airborne Car Crashes In Culver's Parking Lot, Hits Multiples Vehicles: Officials