Elgin Year In Review: Top Stories Of 2017

ELGIN, IL — As the year comes to a close, we at Patch are reflecting back on some of the biggest news stories of 2017. There's plenty to read and talk about.

We've collected some of the biggest stories of the year. They cover crime, local interest, good people and more. We've also listed some of the best 2017 stories from our nearby Patches.

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Elgin

Elgin Man, Convicted Of Fatal 1995 DUI, Gets Another DUI

An Elgin man, who was convicted of killing a person in a DUI crash over 20 years ago, was charged again with DUI in Elgin.

South Elgin Mother, Daughter Lose $5K In Fake Kidnapping Scam

A South Elgin family is down nearly $6,000 after an elaborate phone scam, according to reports. Both the mother and daughter of the family were called separately, the scammers telling them very different lies.

Elgin Woman Hit Estranged Husband With SUV, Drove Into Fox River: Authorities

A 40-year-old Elgin woman is being held at the Kane County Jail on a $750,000 bail after she allegedly hit her estranged husband with a sports utility vehicle and then proceeded to try and hit him seven more times before driving the SUV into the Fox River while fleeing police, the Daily Herald reports.

Convicted Felon Charged With Accidentally Shooting Friend

A 35-year-old Elgin man faces several felony charges after he accidentally shot his friend over the weekend, according to police. Jeffery A. Cohn, of the 100 block of Mosley St. in Elgin, is charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of reckless discharge of firearm in connection with the April 22 shooting. Police said Cohn was a convicted felon who did not possess a valid firearms owner's identification card.

Father's Essay Sheds Light On Daughter's Heroin Addiction, Overdose Death

Alexis "Lex" Fusz, formerly of Bartlett, died at the age of 25 from a heroin overdose after years of struggling to overcome her addiction to the drug.

Son Fatally Punches Dad For Walking In On Girlfriend During Bath Time

A jury this week found a northern Kane County man not guilty of first-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter but convicted him of aggravated domestic battery in his father's February 2016 death. Daniel Rak, 31, admitted that he was angry and struck his father, Jeffrey Rak, in the head multiple times after the older man walked into a bathroom that was occupied by Daniel Rak's girlfriend.

Cop Says He's Detaining Teen 'Because You're White' In Video

A Lake Villa police officer has been disciplined after he was recorded for making a racially-charged statement towards a teen he had detained. The officer told the teen he was being detained because he is white.

Elgin Social Worker Kept Patient As Sex Slave: Lawsuit

A former patient is suing the Illinois Department of Human Services, alleging that a social worker at the Elgin Mental Health Center made him a sex slave, abusing him for over three years. Benhadin Hurt, 24, of Aurora was sent to the state-run facility after pleading not guilty by reason of insanity in 2014 to assaulting a police officer.

Algonquin-LITH

Algonquin Clerk 'Slammed' Door Into Trustee, Trustee Says
Lost Dog Comes Home After 2 Years
Search Turns Up 3 Kilos of Heroin, Valued at $400,000, in Carpentersville Home
LITH Mom Sedated Children Before Strangling Them, Hanging Herself: Police
Father Of Children Killed In LITH Murder-Suicide Speaks Out
Man Who Jumped Into Fox River After Not Paying Restaurant Tab Found Dead
Huntley High Superintendent Responds To Racist Pamphlet
PHOTOS, VIDEOS: Fox River On The Rise; More Flooding Expected
Endangered Bumblebee Halts Construction on Longmeadow Parkway

Geneva

Hundreds Show Support For Gay Rights At Geneva Church
Dozens Rally Against Anti-Gay Protesters At Geneva Church
Teen Pulled From Burning Home Has Died
Geneva Woman Pleads Guilty in Mass-Murder Conspiracy Plot at Canadian Mall
Geneva High Student Pours Gas On Himself In School Cafeteria: School Officials
Nurse Was Raped, Tortured During Delnor Hostage Situation: Attorney
Reported 'Suspicious Male' Was Just Lost Grandpa Asking For Directions: Police
Prison Time Ordered For LITH Woman With 3 DUIs In 19 Days

St. Charles

13-Year-Old Girl Bites Robber And Sex Abuser, Gets Away: Police
St. Charles Man Received $3,000 Of Drugs From Spain: Police
Duo Awarded For Saving Victim Trapped In Car Wash Machinery
74-Year-Old Man Crashes Home-Built Plane, Survives
2 Horses Saved From Barn Fire Thanks To Passerby
Few New Details Released in Fatal St. Charles Shooting
How to Donate to Mother Who Lost Family in St. Charles Shooting
Funds Pour in For Mother Who Lost Family in St. Charles Shooting: Update

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