http://www.morrisdailyherald.comThe latest news from morrisdailyherald.comen-us(MCT) — Thunderstorms driven by winds of more than 50 mph drenched the Chicago area overnight, knocking down trees and dropping hail up to an inch in diameter.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/more-storms-on-the-way-after-blustery-night/aliw2xe/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/more-storms-on-the-way-after-blustery-night/aliw2xe/Tue, 21 May 2013 16:45:24 GMT(MCT) MOORE, Okla. — After darkness fell over this tornado-stricken city on Monday night and Tuesday morning, rescuers confronted a strange and grim tableau.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/rescue-efforts-ongoing-as-grim-scene-emerges-after-tornado/ahe8841/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/rescue-efforts-ongoing-as-grim-scene-emerges-after-tornado/ahe8841/Tue, 21 May 2013 16:42:33 GMTSmiles abounded in the gym at Coal City High School, as the hot, hazy day outside signaled another school year ended.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/from-scary-to-exciting/amvifq4/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/from-scary-to-exciting/amvifq4/Tue, 21 May 2013 16:35:45 GMTThe Morris City Council approved more of its annual donations to local organizations Monday, including $7,500 for the Grundy County Housing Authority for lighting at Saratoga Tower.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/council-gives-gcha-funds-for-lighting/ag0qg0b/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/council-gives-gcha-funds-for-lighting/ag0qg0b/Tue, 21 May 2013 16:26:14 GMTThe Saratoga Elementary Dist. 60C school board voted Monday to add softball to its 2013-14 sports program.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/saratoga-adds-softball/az0w2ct/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/21/saratoga-adds-softball/az0w2ct/Tue, 21 May 2013 14:03:12 GMTSOUTH WILMINGTON — It was not the winning run, not late in a run-rule victory, but Gardner-South Wilmington first baseman Becca Bernardy scored the run that made the outcome official.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/20/gsw-girls-softball-wins-own-regional/at787s3/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/20/gsw-girls-softball-wins-own-regional/at787s3/Tue, 21 May 2013 02:04:37 GMTAn estimated 17,000 participants showed up in Seneca over the weekend with the intent to get muddy.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/20/bonding-in-the-mud/aye5t2z/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/20/bonding-in-the-mud/aye5t2z/Mon, 20 May 2013 21:24:10 GMTCheryl Crisman hadn’t been feeling good for a couple of days. She thought she was getting the flu. And on Super Bowl Sunday in 2008, when her family was getting ready to attend a party, she got a terrible feeling.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/seeking-scads-of-information/a3su3pf/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/seeking-scads-of-information/a3su3pf/Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 GMTThe same SCAD survivors who are participating in a study to help doctors learn more are also working to financially support the research.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/survivors-also-support-effort-to-raise-funds/abiuktp/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/survivors-also-support-effort-to-raise-funds/abiuktp/Sat, 18 May 2013 09:59:00 GMTSen. Sue Rezin is convinced a compromise between pension reform bills touted by the leaders of both legislative branches in the General Assembly will be reached before the end of the current session.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/two-ideas-being-floated-to-reform-pension-system/a8petkb/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/two-ideas-being-floated-to-reform-pension-system/a8petkb/Sat, 18 May 2013 09:58:00 GMTUnless the school receives more interest, Morris Community High School District 101’s annual Summer Skills Academy may not occur this year.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/low-enrollment-may-doom-slated-skills-academy/aoj7vey/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/low-enrollment-may-doom-slated-skills-academy/aoj7vey/Sat, 18 May 2013 09:57:00 GMTCHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Soil moisture levels are slightly above normal in Illinois for the middle of May, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Prairie Research Institute, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/soil-moisture-above-normal-all-over-state/a6xpzsc/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/soil-moisture-above-normal-all-over-state/a6xpzsc/Sat, 18 May 2013 00:59:38 GMT(MCT) BLOOMINGTON — Prices at the pump may go up this summer, but likely won’t keep vacationers from hitting the open road.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/gas-prices-unlikely-to-curb-summer-travel/af1xpix/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/gas-prices-unlikely-to-curb-summer-travel/af1xpix/Fri, 17 May 2013 15:09:02 GMT(MCT) CHICAGO — Navy Pier, the highly commercialized tourist attraction jutting into Lake Michigan, will take on a more park-like feel under the first phase of redevelopment plans to be formally announced Friday morning.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/navy-pier-remake-would-add-urban-park-elements/abj1517/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/navy-pier-remake-would-add-urban-park-elements/abj1517/Fri, 17 May 2013 15:04:38 GMT(MCT) CHICAGO — Maybe you’ve heard this story before. Or dreamt it.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/facing-foreclosure-man-finds-winning-lottery-ticket-in-cookie-jar/az2b97o/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/facing-foreclosure-man-finds-winning-lottery-ticket-in-cookie-jar/az2b97o/Fri, 17 May 2013 14:59:25 GMT(MCT) AUSTIN, Texas—The cause of a fire that led to devastating explosions a month ago at a fertilizer plant in this small town north of Waco remains undetermined, state and federal investigators said at a news conference Thursday.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/cause-of-fertilizer-plant-explosion-still-undetermined-investigators-say/aq1a8hb/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/cause-of-fertilizer-plant-explosion-still-undetermined-investigators-say/aq1a8hb/Fri, 17 May 2013 14:55:36 GMT(MCT) WASHINGTON — Republicans think the Internal Revenue Service controversy is the magic weapon for beating up Democrats, because nothing resonates with the American public like potential IRS abuse.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/irs-scandal-puts-the-caffeine-back-in-tea-party/anwoj2v/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/irs-scandal-puts-the-caffeine-back-in-tea-party/anwoj2v/Fri, 17 May 2013 14:52:44 GMTLOS ANGELES—A pair of brothers were charged with attempting to murder 20 people during a shooting rampage at a parade on Mother’s Day in New Orleans, officials said Thursday. Four other people were arrested on suspicion of harboring the fugitives during an intense manhunt.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/2-charged-in-new-orleans-parade-attack/a5qgzwj/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/2-charged-in-new-orleans-parade-attack/a5qgzwj/Fri, 17 May 2013 14:50:16 GMTDuring his keynote address at the annual Grundy County Law Enforcement Managers Association Memorial Service Thursday morning, Chicago Police Officer Michael Lappe shared his story of recovery and determination in a ceremony that honored fallen law enforcement officials and emergency responders.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/commitment-beyond-the-badge/a2jmlkl/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/commitment-beyond-the-badge/a2jmlkl/Fri, 17 May 2013 14:41:57 GMTMorris City Clerk John Enger is suffering from multiple medical conditions that have kept him from work, but he is fighting for his health to try and return to his duties.http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/morris-city-clerk-battling-medical-problems/af2dtfz/http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2013/05/17/morris-city-clerk-battling-medical-problems/af2dtfz/Fri, 17 May 2013 14:28:18 GMT