Here are some of the top stories from the past week in Patch's west Chicago region:
Wheaton—Man Charged With Shooting Ex-Girlfriend's Mom in Wheaton—The Lombard man is being held on $1 million bond after allegedly shooting ex-girlfriend's mother at a home in Wheaton, according to the DuPage State's Attorney.
Darien/Woodridge—UPDATE: Man Stole Dangerous Chemical From Employer—Police are still investigating the incident of a condominium building in Woodridge being evacuated Thursday after potassium cyanide was discovered in one of the units.
Naperville—Man Charged with Arson After Explosive Device Detonated—A Naperville man was arrested Thursday and charged in connection with setting off an explosive device in front of a Naperville home last September, police said.
Geneva—Police Identify Geneva Man Found Dead at Kane County Events Center—The man found dead Saturday afternoon at the Kane County Events Center has been identified as Casey Gemeny of Geneva.
La Grange/La Grange Park/Western Springs—For the Birds: Nearly 100 Live in La Grange Basement Aviary—Since 2005, Marty Dunne has run an enormous menagerie in his home basement, perennially expanding it and even giving tours and lessons to local schools.
Downers Grove—50 Shades of Downers Grove: Adult Boutique Opens on Ogden Avenue—Teresa's Boutique owner Teresa Lester says she hopes to attract women and couples with her selection of lingerie and adult novelties.
Oak Park/River Forest/Forest Park—Fire Destroys House in North Oak Park—A house fire in the 800 block of north Lombard Avenue destroyed a home and damaged two others Wednesday night.
St. Charles—Campton Hills House Theft Fugitive Nabbed in St. Charles—Daniel Kellogg reportedly fled to Turkey to avoid the start of a prison sentence in an unrelated case, authorities said.
Elmhurst—Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare, Edward Hospital and Health Services Announce Merger—Pending state and federal regulatory review, deal could be finalized mid-year.
Batavia—Man Struck By Car on Fabyan Continues Treatment, Officials Say—Here is the police crash report from the Jan. 11 car vs. pedestrian incident.
Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills/Burr Ridge—Owner of The Hills Cafe & Pizza Hopes New Diner Will Fill Niche—Shane Johnson says he thinks The Hills, at the corner of Prospect and Park in downtown Clarendon Hills, will become a go-to spot for locals and a destination for nonresidents.
Glen Ellyn—Glen Ellyn's Tina Koral Launches GardenWorks to Help Families in Need—GardenWorks is a grassroots program in its second year in DuPage County. The program will help families in need grow their own fresh vegetables.
Lemont—Medical Marijuana in Lemont? It's a Possibility the Village Could Plan For—Village Board hears update on state legislators’ efforts to allow medical marijuana in Illinois.