OK, this week's west-of-Chicago Patch Roundup is imperfectly ideal in the crime/feel-good balance; as is too often the case, it's angled toward crime. But some of said crimes are really quite serious, and deserve to be known about.

But if you're looking for a feel-good story, check out one heck of a 7-year-old athlete from Hinsdale; if politics is your thing, imagine a potential neighbor-versus-neighbor showdown for a U.S. House seat. And if you're hungry and (for most people reading this) don't mind a little drive to the east, there will soon be some succulent foods up for tasting at La Grange's restaurant week.

Check out any or all of the following:

Elmhurst—Police Say Victims in Villa Park Fire Were Murdered—the four people who were found dead Tuesday morning after a house fire in unincorporated Villa Park had been shot, multiple news sources are reporting. 

Hinsdale—National Punt, Pass & Kick Champ Hails from Hinsdale—Luke Adams, 7, could be spotted on national television last weekend when he was honored during an NFL playoff game in Baltimore for winning his age group at the 50th edition of the well-known football skills competition.

St. Charles—St. Charles Man Arrested After 3-Month-Long DuPage Sheriff Synthetic Drug Investigation—More than $1 million in synthetic drugs were seized from a Lombard-area business owned by a St. Charles man.

Glen Ellyn—Glen Ellyn Convicted of Hitting Pregnant Wife Wants to Take Back Plea—DuPage County sheriff's deputies have arrested two men in an undercover drug investigation that led to the seizure of more than $1 million in synthetic drugs from a Lombard-area tobacco shop.

Lisle—Bond Set in Pizza Shop Robbery, Men Face 30 Years If Convicted—The Lisle Police Department was one of several agencies involved in the arrest of Cory M. Paytes and Travis Gamble, who allegedly forced employees into a freezer at gun point before the two suspects robbed the business.

Western Springs—Falvey Launches Bid to Unseat Fellow Western Springs Resident Lipinski—There is a very real chance that the battle for Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District this November will come down to two Western Springs residents.

Batavia—Police Arrest Batavia Subway Robbery Suspect—Two police departments on Thursday announced charges against a man in connection with the 2011 Batavia and North Aurora Subway robberies.

Wheaton—Police Identify Who Wrote Threatening Note at Wheaton North—Police have identified a juvenile who was allegedly responsible for the threatening note written on a bathroom wall at Wheaton North High School the week before Christmas break, officials said.

Geneva—Geneva Investigates Streets Superintendent for Misappropriation of Funds—Steve LeMaire, a 33-year employee of the city of Geneva, has been suspended from his job and is being investigated for misappropriating city funds.

La Grange—La Grange Restaurants Serve Up Preview of Restaurant Week—Restaurants dish up a preview for Restaurant Week in La Grange this February.

Burr Ridge—Pleasantdale ITBS Results Above National Average—Average students would not be average in this west suburban school district. Among Chicago's wealthy suburbs, consultants say Pleasantdale students' test scores are very competitive.

Downers Grove—Proposed North High Parking Lot Raises Ire of Residents—A group of Downers Grove residents are upset that a new parking lot development might harm their property values and be an eyesore for their community.