Patch Roundup: Sex Offender Blames Justin Bieber, Man Allegedly Sells Pot-Laced Candy

Here are some of the top stories from the past week in Patch's west Chicago region:

St. Charles——Rockford man turns up at a Riverside high school boys swim meet, tells police Justin Bieber’s brainwaves sent him there.

Elmhurst—Elmhurst Resident Charged with Selling Candy Laced With Cannabis—Brandon Biggs, who faces Class 2 felonies, was taken to DuPage County Jail.

Batavia—Batavia Woman Claims $7.2 Million Lotto Prize—She’s a 33-year Batavia resident. Here’s her name and reaction to winning.

Geneva—BB Gun Incident Puts Geneva Schools in Lockdown—Three young adults are charged with reckless conduct, but the school is not involved. Here are the full details.

Darien/Woodridge—Darien Man Accused of Seeking Hit Man From Jail to Kill Ex-Girlfriend—Joseph Spitalli, of Darien, was charged in November with kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and slitting the throat of her new boyfriend. He appeared in court Monday.

Naperville——After auditioning in Chicago, Benet Academy junior Alex Oechsel makes it to the next round in Fox's 'American Idol.'

Downers Grove—American Idol Sends Downers Grove South Alum to Hollywood—Darien Native Mariah Pulice touched judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj with her beautiful voice and moving story.

Oak Park/River Forest/Forest Park—Oak Park Man Charged With Hate Crime After Punching 13-Year-Old—Oak Park police arrested Luisito B. Navarro two days after he allegedly punched a 13-year-old boy from Cicero in the face and made comments about his race.

Wheaton—Wheaton Native Qualifies for 'Jeopardy!' Tournament of Champions—Ashok Poozhikunnel of Wheaton qualifies for the Jeopardy! tournament of champions after he won $69,002 in a four-game streak.

Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills/Burr Ridge——Kenneth Jackson, who's been charged with two Burr Ridge burglaries in the last year, and his uncle were suspected in 19 North Shore burglaries that took place during the two years.

Glen Ellyn—2007 Glenbard West Graduate Performing in Presidential Inauguration—Staff Sgt. Trevor Mowry will be part of the "President's Own" United States Marine Band, performing at the inauguration Jan. 21.

Lemont—Locked-Up Mobster's Wife Sues For Divorce in Will County Court—The Homer Glen wife of a notorious mobster doing 62 years in Leavenworth filed for divorce at the Joliet courthouse.

La Grange/La Grange Park/Western Springs——On tour for his young-adult series, Curtis Jobling dropped by St. John of the Cross on Thursday to talk animation and fantasy, give a reading and, of course, sketch Bob and friends.