Bail Denied For Man Charged In NCHS Graduate Murder:
Bail has been denied for the 26-year-old Chicago man charged with first-degree murder and criminal sexual assault in the death of Naperville Central High School graduate Ruth George. Donald Thurman appeared in court today, after being taken into custody Sunday in connection with the strangulation of the 19-year-old University of Illinois at Chicago student. Police say Thurman was seen on surveillance video walking behind George as she entered a parking garage on the UIC campus early Saturday morning. Her body was later found in the backseat of a car owned by her family. Officials say Thurman has confessed to the crime, saying he did it because he “was angry that he was being ignored.”
Edward Honor:
Edward Hospital just received a special designation for the fourth time. Nurses, senior executives, and staff gathered in the hospital’s Education Center to celebrate Edward being recognized as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence. It is one of only eight hospitals in Illinois to receive the designation four or more times, and one of 100 in the U.S.
New Naperville Winner on Jeopardy:
Another Napervillian now has a claim to fame through Jeopardy!. Local receptionist Beth Stewart appeared on the show yesterday, walking away with a win and $39,601. Her victory follows Naperville native James Holzhauer’s recent win of the 2019 Tournament of Champions. Stewart plays again today to defend her title.
Local Dancers Get Their Shot:
Young local dancers were in the room where it happens yesterday as Midwest Edge Dance Academy hosted a Master Class event of dance, theater, and voice instruction taught by cast and crew members from Hamilton Chicago. The instructors were brought in by DanceOn Chicago, a nonprofit that formed last year when some male dancers at Midwest Edge were heckled during a performance, with some in the audience directing homophobic slurs at the boys. DanceOn has raised $60,000 since then through t-shirt sales and events like yesterday’s. That money has been put toward scholarships for male dancers, dance studios, and special needs programs.