County Begins Pantry Program For Pets

Today's McHenry County Animal Welfare Coalition Jamboree in Crystal Lake marks more fallout from the Great Recession. A lot of the pets up for adoption were abandoned by their financially strapped owners.

In the first seven months of last year the McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center took in 297 stray dogs and cats. The corresponding number was 407 this year, according to Supervisor Betty Schlieben.

"People are losing their homes and we've gone in where the animals have just been left behind," Schlieben said. "We've had people bring in pets as strays but they forgot they'd been microchipped. The records show they were the owners."

It's a simple matter of economics: if there isn't enough money to put food on the table there usually isn't enough to put it in the pet bowl.
"We had a lady whose husband had passed away. She was on Social Security and she couldn't afford to feed her dogs and cats. She was crying," Schlieben remembered.

In that case and others the Animal Center scrounged up enough pet food to tide her over but the problem has grown past ad hoc efforts. The Animal Control and Adoption Center and the Animal Welfare Coalition last week began a formal program to collect pet food and distribute it through area food pantries. "People ask for it there all the time," said Schlieben.

Crystal Lake's Sam's Club donated a pallet full of pet food to the program this week and Schlieben said she hopes to see more as county businesses become aware of the program. Meanwhile the center hopes to place more abandoned animals in permanent homes. Today's County Adoption Jamboree runs from 11 am to 3 pm at Crystal Court Plaza on Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

In the pic: County Animal Adoption Center volunteer Kristy Bigden demonstrates the art of herding abandoned kittens.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
August 14
FOLLOW UP ARREST:
1243 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. HARASSMENT BY TELEPHONE. HENRY, RACHAEL A., F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 1024 PLUM TREE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. Charge: Harassment by telephone. RELEASED ON BOND
0232 HRS 200 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. BATTERY. Male subject punched in the head by another male. FAIL TO FILE.
0244 HRS MILLER RD & RANDALL RD. FOUND PROPERTY. Bicycle found at the intersection. 0639 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF BRIARCLIFF LN. FOUND PROPERTY. Two bicycles located at the intersection.
0717 HRS VILLAGE CREEK DR. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.
0753 HRS 0 BLOCK OF SHADOW CREEK CT. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. GPS unit, an iPod, and sunglasses were taken from an SUV.
0948 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1002 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HEAVENS GATE. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO MOTOR VEHICLE. A tire on a vehicle was slashed.
1035 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HEAVENS GATE. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO MOTOR VEHICLE. A tire on a vehicle was slashed.
1057 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. FOUND PROPERTY. Car key and fob found.
1116 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1136 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1222 HRS 401 WRIGHT DR., (WELL HOUSE #10). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti was found on the premises.
1232 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. MISSING ADULT. Female, 18 years of age, missing since 081209. Entered into LEADS. Contact later made with subject. Taken out of LEADS.
1848 HRS ACORN CT. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT INJURY. Three vehicle accident. No one transported to the hospital.
1901 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 25 years of age, cut to the arm. Transported to St. Joseph Hospital.
2047 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 23 years of age, having difficulty breathing. No transport.
2216 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC Mother vs Son. Verbal only. One prior.
2235 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD., (TACO BELL). AGGRAVATED BATTERY. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
2301 HRS 10 BLOCK OF RIVIERA CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 54 years of age, in respiratory distress. No transport.

Bright Golden Haze On The Meadow Near Woodstock

McHenry County Sheriff's Deputies and County Conservation District Police slashed and burned a two-acre marijuana farm near Woodstock earlier this week. District Police found the field of near-ripe pot Wednesday estimating it contained about $2.5 million worth of illicit grass.

The farmers weren't around to arrest but deputies said they found evidence at the scene that might tie it to several similar fields discovered in the area last year.

McHenry County Sheriff's photo

County Housing Prices Rebound

McHenry County housing sales were up again last month but remained far below even last year's plunging-into-recession figure according to the latest report from the McHenry County Association of Realtors.

By McHAR figures, 282 residences sold throughout the county in July with an average price of $215,806. It took an average 185 days to sell each one, though. That sales price was about an 11 percent improvement from what may have been the market bottom in February but remained roughly 7 percent down from the same month last year. July's price was 17 percent below July 2007, almost the market peak, according to the report.

Sales volumes remained stuck at half last years' level.
McHAR Executive Jim Haisler said the price upturn was all the more impressive because so many recent sales have been low-priced homes. "Those low-end homes, that's what's selling. Investors are snapping them up." said Haisler.

McHAR's sales averages include foreclosures and short sales. McHenry County Assessor Donna Mayberry monitors those, too, so she can (by state law) throw them out of her assessment averages. "They've become the market," said Mayberry. "When you have eight houses in a neighborhood for sale and six are foreclosures they're going to effect the other two."

Mayberry said she thought the $8,000 federal First Time Borrowers credit was giving homes sales a boost, however. Haisler agreed but said that may not last long. The program expires soon and there's uncertainty about whether it will be extended.

Right now, "You have to close by Dec. 31 to qualify for the credit," Haisler said.

McHAR's full report is at: http://www.mchcar.com/download/stats.pdf

Bad News For Influence Peddlers Next Year

Expect a spate of Tony Rezko-style Illinois corruption stories about this time next year. That's when the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal is supposed to hit the Web with a list of insiders' salaries, tax credits, tax breaks and state contracts.

Governor Pat Quinn earlier this week signed the authorizing bill sponsored by State Rep. Mike Tryon at the urging of a Lake in the Hills reformer.

Tryon said Thursday the Illinois site will be similar to Missouri's state transparency website (http://mapyourtaxes.mo.gov/MAP/Portal/Default.aspx). "It's going to bring an end to the bad politics of the past 100 years in Illinois," Tryon said.

He credited LITH resident Tony Calamino, head of the Illinois arm of Americans for Prosperity, with coming up with the idea of a transparency site in Illinois.

Calamino said, "This was a grassroots effort. Last year (a similar measure) failed because of Senator Jones. This year it sailed right through." Emil Jones was Illinois Senate President and an ally of now-disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich. Jones retired this January.

Some of the information destined for the new website is already available if you know where to look. At least theoretically. The Comptroller's website, for instance, includes a searchable list of state contracts. But it's not browseable. Rather than looking for shady contractors you don't know about you can only find information on the ones you already do.

All of the data destined for Illinois' transparency portal already lies within various state computers. Why wait a year to make the information public? "Well," said Tryon, "they don't all use the same computer systems so we gave them a year to get it in a form everyone can use."

In the pic: A page from Missouri's transparency portal, a possible model for Illinois' version next year.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Algonquin
August 10
23:07pm Perez-Chavez, Gaspar DOB: 06/23/78 of 184 Lakeshore Drive, Carpentersville, was charged with Improper Lane Usage and DWLS. He was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Oakleaf Road. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 09/16/09.
23:36pm Motley, Melvenna DOB: 11/11/69 of 19 Oxford, Apt #9, Carpentersville, was charged with Retail Theft. She was taken into custody at Jewel, 1501 E. Algonquin Road. She was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 09/30/09, in Algonquin.
23:38pm A fifteen-year-old male from Algonquin and a fifteen-year-old male from Carpentersville were both charged with Possession of Alcohol by a Minor. Both were taken into custody at Jewel, 1501 E. Algonquin Road. Both were released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 09/30/09, in Algonquin.
23:43pm A sixteen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. He was taken into custody at Riverfront Park, 201 N. Harrison Street. He was transported to Sherman Hospital.
August 12
18:10pm A fifteen-year-old male from Algonquin and a fifteen-year-old male from Lake in the Hills were both charged with Theft. Both were taken into custody at High Hill Park, 501 Kirkland Drive. Both were released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 09/30/09, in Algonquin.
August 13
18:10pm A sixteen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Retail Theft. He was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road. He was formally Station Adjusted and then released into the custody of his mother.
Lake in the Hills
August 13
1431 HRS 300 RAMBLE RD., (FORD PARK). CRIMINALDEFACEMENT. SAVIANO, RYAN A., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 3704 ROLLING HILLS RD., CARPENTERSVILLE. Charges: Criminal Defacement. RELEASED ON BOND. FEMALE JUVENILE, 16 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. Charge: Criminal Defacement. TURNED OVER TO MOTHER. FEMALE JUVENILE, 16 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. Charge: Criminal Defacement. TURNED OVER TO MOTHER
0039 HRS 900 BLOCK OF NOELLE BEND ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 45 years of age, injury to the head. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1232 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. DOMESTIC Husband vs. wife. Verbal altercation only. Two priors.
1636 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Driver and passenger of unit 2 experienced neck pain. No transport.
1736 HRS 00 BLOCK OF BARRINGTON CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 7 years of age, cut to the arm. Transported to St Joseph’s Hospital.
1914 HRS CLARK AVE. & PATTON AVE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2137 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LINCOLN ST. MISSING JUVENILE 15 year old male ran away from home. SUBJECT ENTERED INTO LEADS.

McHenry County Indictments

A McHenry County Grand Jury returned the following indictments among others this week. An indictment is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SEAN T. KELLY, DOB: 07/25/83, 3530 LAWRENCE LANE, NORTHBROOK, IL 60062.
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM WITHOUT FOID CARD(6CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM AMMUNITION WITHOUT FOID CARD, DOMESTIC BATTERY
--HUNTLEY PD.

ZANE U. HASHAM,DOB: 06/26/88, 4821 PRINCETON LANE., LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL 60156. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE--LITH PD

THOMAS C. FLORES, DOB: 04/01/87, 8 CAMDEN COURT, LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL 60156. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE--LITH PD.

Garage Sales

Lake in the Hills
Friday, August 14
5501 WINDGATE WAY 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
330 WRIGHT DR 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
2951 MELBOURNE LN 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
3596 SONOMA CIR 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
8 LITCHFIELD CT 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
416 GRACE DR 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1314 CLAYTON MARSH DR 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
4460 BARHARBOR DR 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
654 DAVID ST 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
770 WEDGEWOOD CR 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
1185 PRIDES RUN 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
4270 ROSEWOOD CT 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
601 WINDERMERE WAY 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
850 WEDGEWOOD CIR 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
2994 IMPRESSIONS DR 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
323 CLEAR SKY TR 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
4035 PEARTREE DR 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
6055 LUCERNE 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
793 WILLOW ST 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
9 HUNTERS PATH 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
313 MEADOW LN 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday, August 15
770 WEDGEWOOD CR 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
330 WRIGHT DR 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
2951 MELBOURNE LN 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
3596 SONOMA CIR 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
8 LITCHFIELD CT 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
416 GRACE DR 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
4460 BARHARBOR DR 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
1314 CLAYTON MARSH DR 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
654 DAVID ST 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
1 ROLLING HILLS CT 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
9 HUNTERS PATH 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
1185 PRIDES RUN 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
4270 ROSEWOOD CT 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
5501 WINDGATE WAY 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
850 WEDGEWOOD CIR 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
2994 IMPRESSIONS DR 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
323 CLEAR SKY TR 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
4035 PEARTREE DR 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
6055 LUCERNE 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
793 WILLOW ST 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
313 MEADOW LN 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday, August 16
313 MEADOW LN 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
793 WILLOW ST 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
3596 SONOMA CIR 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
416 GRACE DR 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1 ROLLING HILLS CT 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
850 WEDGEWOOD CIR 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
323 CLEAR SKY TR 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Although Algonquin and Huntley regulate garage sales they don't require a permit. The First Electric Newspaper will publish listings free of charge in those villages as well. Send Day(s), address and time(s) to garagesales@firstelectricnewspaper.com

More Work Coming On Algonquin's Stalled Riverside Square

Workers will begin installing a "more permanent" roof soon on Algonquin's dilapidated Riverside Square condominium project but not for a new owner.

Amcore Bank, Rockford, now holds the deed to the failed project. A spokesman was unable to provide information Wednesday. However,Village Manager Bill Ganek confirmed that the village has had verbal notice of the planned work. No formal documents have been received yet, however, he said. "Our building department has to approve that to see that it's done correctly," said Ganek.

Now in bankruptcy court, construction of the 54-unit luxury condominium and retail center came to a halt 11 months ago. A temporary rubber roof barrier was installed to keep out the weather in late January but an inspection of the property, as FEN reported last month, found the effort was not completely successful.

Michael Kayman, court-appointed receiver for the property, declined to confirm that work was pending. Reached on his cell phone as he was about to board a flight at O'Hare, Kayman did confirm that, as FEN has reported, Riverside Square is "on the market" but not formally listed with any real estate agent.

Kayman said he estimated the project has been 40 percent completed with some internal plumbing installed but none of the electrical work. Kayman also reported he holds the project's blueprints. "I have the building plans available for inspection by purchasers," he said.

Kayman said examination of Algonquin Square would only be allowed to buyers with "qualified financial resources" and evidence of insurance.

Ganek said Algonquin officials were pleased at the prospect of a better roof on Riverside Square and now hoped to persuade someone to finish the building's brickwork.

Break Delays Miller Road Reconstruction In LITH

Lake in the Hills workers toiled Wednesday to repair a water main break at Crystal Lake Road and Lee Street that sent a geyser three feet into the air according to witnesses, washing tons of fill down the road.

The problem surfaced, literally, Tuesday. Crews installed a sleeve to repair the break but the fix didn't hold when pressure was returned to the main. Wednesday workers were preparing what they hoped was a more durable replacement. This morning the crater had been refilled and repaved.

Public Works Director Fed Mullard said the break appeared to stem from installation three weeks ago of a new storm sewer that crosses the main. "We're working with the contractor on that. It mostly impacted his own work and he's going to have to absorb that," he said.

The sewer was part of a major reconstruction of Miller Road between Randall and Crystal Lake Road that's been underway for the past month. That project which has seen residents of "The Presidents" area jolting semi cross-country to reach their homes won't be delayed much by the water break said Mullard. "We should have the final paving done by the end of next week."

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
August 12
FOLLOW UP ARRESTS: 2232 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE). HIT & RUN. RUSHING, TIFFANY J., F/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 570 SOMERSET, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Leaving the scene of a property damage accident, Failure to give aid and information on a property damage accident, Following too closely, Failure to notify Secretary of State of address change. RELEASED ON BOND.
2244 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. RONAN, BALEIGH E., F/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, 781 TUSCANY DR., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: One Count of Criminal Damage to Property. RELEASED ON BOND. DRANKA, JESSICA A., F/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, 10705 SANTA FE CT HUNTLEY. CHARGES: One Count of Criminal Damage to Property. RELEASED ON BOND. JUVENILE F/W 16 YEARS OF AGE,HUNTLEY. CHARGES: One Count of Criminal Damage to Property.
1139 HRS 2265 W ALGONQUIN RD., (THORNTONS). DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
1733 HRS 3700 BLOCK OF PEARTEE DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1804 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HALFMOON GATE. THEFT UNDER. A bicycle was stolen from in front of the residence. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2045 HRS 4581 PRINCETON LN., (BB FOOD&LIQUOR). THEFT UNDER. A bicycle was stolen from in front of the store. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2206 HRS 4581 PRINCETON LN., (BB FOOD&LIQUOR). ASSIST AMBULANCE. 34 year old male subject with extreme back pain. No transport.
2242 HRS 700 BLOCK OF PARC CT. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only. 2 priors.
2356 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC DISPUTE. Father vs. daughter. No Priors. Charges pending for Criminal Damage to Property. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.

Virus Wins on FEN Computer After All

The First Electric Newspaper's computer turned into an expensive doorstop about noon Wednesday in the wake of a virus attack over the weekend.

"I thought I'd found everything," said IT director Pete Gonigam, "but all of a sudden the browser started doing redirects and shut down. Now there's some sort of boot sector damage."

On the premise that it was time to either bite the bullet or use it on himself, FEN publisher Pete Gonigam purchased a new computer.

"The boss is so cheap," said the IT director. "I swear the case on this new computer is held together with drywall screws. At least I understand drywall screws, though," he said.

ALITH Food Pantry Shoppers Increase As Shelves Empty

Shoppers were backed up into the entry area patiently waiting their turns at the shelves Tuesday at the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry.

Summer is always a tough time for the pantry but this summer even more so, according to volunteer Betty Dodge. "It's a sign of the times. People are being laid off," she said.

"We're handling it but during the summer donations are low. People are on vacation or they just aren't thinking about hungry people."

Dodge said requests for the Pantry's emergency aid have been on the increase. "We're serving 25 to 30 people on average every day," she said "and there are usually about four new clients every day we open."

The Pantry tries to provide temporary assistance for people until formal programs kick in. Or after they expire.

"My boyfriend hasn't been working," said one young woman waiting to check out her selections, "and I've been working part-time and just got laid off. I'm kind of glad it's here."

A former printer waiting in line said, "I got laid off and my job is pretty specialized. It's been hard to find another. This helps a lot."

A woman named Aide was filling her shopping cart. "I've got two kids but my husband broke his foot and and I can't find any work. If this weren't here, well, I don't know."

Dodge said food donations to the Pantry are always welcome but so are money donations to purchase stock from the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The Algonquin Running Group, for instance, will stage a Hunger Hustle 5k race (or walk) Sunday Aug. 30. The entry fee is $10 in either non-perishable goods or coin of the realm at the LifeTime Fitness Center, 451 Rolls Road, Algonquin. Registration will only be on Race day and starts at 7:15 am, the race/walk at 8:00 am.

Another fundraiser will be the Take a Shot At Hunger golf outing Friday, Sept. 4 at 9:00 am at Red Tail Golf Club, Lakewood.

The Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry is at 600 East Oak Street
Lake in the Hills, open Tuesdays, Thursdays and and first and third Saturdays of each month from 9:30 am to noon.

In the pic: Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry was crammed with clients and volunteers but not as much food as there should be.

Tryon Begins Primary Run

Mike Tryon (R)-64 kicked off his campaign for re-election to the Illinois General Assembly Tuesday with a second annual fish boil fundraiser at Huntley's Parkside Pub.

Besides campaign funds ($35 per head) Tryon was gathering signatures for a spot on the February primary ballot, the earliest in the nation.

In the pic: In the pic: D158 Board Member Mike Skala gathered greenbacks at the gate while Huntley Trustee Pam Fender solicited signatures outside. Inside, Tryon (rear) schmoozed with friends and supporters, in this case Crystal Lake's Dean Whitfield.

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors--Usually

Lake in the Hills and Algonquin meet along Algonquin Road between Lakewood Road and Wentworth Drive. The two villages spent a lot of Tuesday's LITH Board of Trustees meeting trying to figure out how to avoid bumping into each other there, too.

Before Algonquin planners is a request to build a new gas station just to the southwest of the border and Algonquin Road. The trouble is there's already a gas station across the unnamed street on the Lake in the Hills side and the street belongs to Lake in the Hills. Algonquin Community Development Director Russ Farnum said his village would prefer to route some of the exit traffic from their proposed station onto it.

Trustee Paul Mulcahy thought two was too many gas stations. "If the property was in our village we wouldn't consider them," he said.

Unstated was the problem that each village would profit only from the gasoline taxes collected at the station located on its own side of the border. Two gas stations side by side would obviously compete with each other and LITH board president Ed Plaza was worried about the effect on his. "I don't know if they could stand the hit," he said.

Just to complicate matters there's a Lake in the Hills kindergarten located at the proposed new intersection. "This is going to be a cut-through for traffic," said Trustee Steve Harlfinger.

Algonquin's Planning and Zoning Commission postponed a decision on the new gas station for a month Monday. LITH Trustees decided to put their decision off for at least a week.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
August 11
0226 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF BRISBANE DR. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. BARRETO, RAUL A., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 3214 IMPRESSIONS DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two counts for Burglary from Motor Vehicle, Two Counts of Theft Under $300. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0226 HRS 00 BLOCK OF CROFTON CT. BURGLARY FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE. Global positioning system and radar detector were taken from an unlocked vehicle. Arrest made, see report above.
0902 HRS MASON LN. & MILLER RD. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Security gate damaged overnight.
1141 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. BATTERY. Landlord vs. tenant. FAIL TO FILE.
1243 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Three vehicles scratched overnight. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1640 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. THEFT UNDER. A bicycle was stolen out of an open garage.
TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATION.
1749 HRS 0 BLOCK OF WANDER WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female subject 38 years of age feeling light headed. No transport.
1942 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. LOST LICENSE PLATE. Vehicle license plate was lost.
Entered into LEADS.
1957 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. HIT & RUN. Vehicle struck, offending vehicle fled the scene.
2102 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2117 HRS 800 BLOCK OF NOELLE BEND. ACCIDENT Subject struck a parked car.
2305 HRS 00 CLARK AVE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. son. No priors. FAIL TO FILE

State's Attorney Forms Gang Unit

As Lake in the Hills battles an outbreak of gang activity McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi is organizing a special gang prosecutions section in his office.

Not yet formally announced, the section will include Assistant State's Attorneys Donna Kelley and Jeff Bora.

Kelley was the prosecutor in two high-profile county gang crimes, securing convictions in both. She said Monday the two were typical of the problems in gang cases.

In one, a baseball bat beating in Harvard, the victim and chief witness had already been convicted of perjury. In the other, a knifing in Woodstock, the victim was a convicted felon.

Kelley said the secret of her success lay in knowing the opposition.

"I was a public defender for 11 years," she said. "My clients were felons or accused of felonies."

"We're going to be using some novel legal tactics in gang prosecutions," Kelley said, things like early introduction of gang affiliation "to demonstrate motive and common design and purpose."

That's legalese for explaining the power of gang identity over gang members, she explained. In the Woodstock case, for example, the victim was stabbed by his best friend since childhood. He just happened to have joined a rival gang.

Besides conducting their own cases Kelley said she and Bora intended to train other SA's in the subtleties of gang crime.

"We've vigorously prosecuted gang cases elsewhere in McHenry County," said Bianchi, "and when there are more arrests in Lake in the Hills we'll vigorously prosecute those, too."

D300 Takes First Step On Windfarm

The D300 Board of Education approved an intergovernmental agreement Monday pointing toward construction a $46 million windfarm. Members generally rebuffed another agreement with Carpentersville they said cost $37,000 too much.

The windfarm proposal sees D300 joining the Keeneyville and Prospect Heights school districts to explore building a 20-Megawatt windmill complex to sell electricity to ComEd. The idea is to offset the cost of the power the district now buys from the company. So far no money has been spent on the plan but the next step calls for the consortium to hire a consultant for $55,000.

The Carpentersville non-agreement is the latest in a long-running battle over who should pay how much for improvements to traffic flow at that village's Liberty School. The board claimed they'd made it clear they'd pay no more than $300,000 but the village submitted a bigger bill, anyway.

President Joe Stevens said, "We shouldn't have to spend $37,000 because it took Carpentersville 6 years to get its act together."

Board members toyed with the idea of saving $645,000 by leaving standing the district's old Delacey School next to Dundee-Crown High School. That idea fell when Superintendent Ken Arndt reminded members the district had promised residents to tear down the building.

"It's an eyesore and a pit full of gang activity," Arndt said.

Member Chris Stanton added that by his inspection the structure is already home to animal vermin.

Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates told the board the district has retired the last of 32 mobile classrooms in use three years ago. She said by her estimates the district's money for bricks and mortar is currently down to $100,000, though.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
August 10
FOLLOW-UP ARREST: 1710 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION. BIELECKI, DOUGLAS J., M/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 610 LORREE LANE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Violation of order of protection. TURNED OVER TO COUNTY JAIL.
1801 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR. JUVENILE, F/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. RELEASED TO PARENTS
2234 HRS 2200 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (SUPERWASH). POSSESION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. FAGMAN, LANA I., F/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 1744 N. LARRABEE, CHICAGO. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis less than 30 grams, Expired Registration. RELEASED ON BOND
RUIZ, ALEXANDER M., M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 1136 W FULLERTON, CHICAGO. CHARGES: Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis less than 30 grams, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol,
Improper use of Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
0324 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WRIGHT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 66 years of age, with high blood pressure. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
0853 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). FOUND PROPERTY. Wallet turned in as found property.
Returned to owner.
1115 HRS 00 BLOCK OF BONNIE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 79 year old female not feeling well. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1131 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 32 year old male experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1445 HRS 00 BLOCK OF WALNUT GROVE CT. THEFT. Money taken from wallet inside residence.
L09-09518 1446 HRS 200 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. FOUND PROPERTY. Small plastic bag possibly containing a controlled substance.
2058 HRS 617 ANDERSON DR., (STONEYBROOK PARK). THEFT OVER $300. Cell phone taken without the owner's consent.
2139 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two cars, property damage only.

FEN Defeats Virus, Probably

After 23 hours of battle, FEN declared its main computer (as opposed to the one in a box in the corner in the garage) probably virus-free Sunday evening.

"This was nasty," said IT Director Pete Gonigam. "I think the original virus was a new variant on a known virus but the executable file wasn't where it should have been. It downloaded some other viruses, too, and it seems to have activated a copy of the browser .exe off in a corner to jam the cpu. The computer was only operating at about one fifth speed until I could figure that one out."

Gonigam admits he forgot to activate a firewall when he upgraded FEN's computer operating system six months ago. "Brain fade. I'm having a lot of it lately," he said.

FEN Publisher Pete Gonigam said, "Sure our IT Director is a bumbling incompetent. But he means well and most of the time he's harmless."

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Algonquin
August 7
16:53pm Heinz, Colby R. DOB: 01/19/88 of 10 Willoughby Court, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road. He was released after posting $1000, with a court date of 08/27/09, in McHenry County.
August 8
01:50am Johnson, Bradley D. DOB: 05/26/86 of 10 White Oak Court, Algonquin, was charged with Improper Lane Usage and DUI. He was taken into custody at Stonegate Road and County Line Road. He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 09/09/09, in McHenry County.
04:05am Connolly, Kelly L. DOB: 06/17/92 of 648 David Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Battery and 2 counts of Domestic Battery. She was taken into custody at 648 David Street. She was released after posting $350, with a court date of 08/18/09, in Kane County.
August 9
14:31pm Lozano, Salomon A. DOB: 04/19/64 of 1031 Country Field Parkway, West Dundee, was charged with Retail Theft. He was taken into custody at TJ Maxx, 832 S. Randall Road. He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 09/30/09, in Algonquin.
19:31pm Haenisch, Jeffrey M. DOB: 07/18/80 of 940 Viewpoint Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLS. He was taken into custody at County Line and Merchant Drive. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 09/16/09, in McHenry County.
Lake in the HIlls
August 09
0114 HRS 10 S RANDALL RD., (PHILLIPS 66). DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. ALESI, STEVEN JOHN, M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 627 W RIDGE RD., VILLA PARK. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND
1805 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. HUDSON, MARK L., M/W 47 YEARS OF AGE, 106 HICKORY RD., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Failure to Yield while Turning Left, No Valid Insurance, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol. Arrest was made due to an accident with injuries. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0202 HRS 0 BLOCK OF JOSEPH CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Brother vs Brother. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0819 HRS DECATUR AVE & PERSHING AVE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
0907 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF MAPLE ST. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. An I-Pod and a wallet were taken. Entry gained through breaking a window.
0951 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF MAPLE ST. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Drill and charger taken from an unlocked vehicle. Drill was later recovered.
1042 HRS MILLER RD. & WORTHINGTON LN. HIT & RUN. Unknown vehicle hit a village-owned tree.
1118 HRS 2265 W ALGONQUIN RD., (THORNTON’S). FOUND PROPERTY. Cellular phone. Returned to owner.
1133 HRS 2265 W ALGONQUIN RD., (THORNTON’S). FOUND PROPERTY. Cellular phone. Returned to owner.
1327 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. HARASSMENT BY TELEPHONE. Complainant receiving harassing telephone calls. FAIL TO FILE.
2052 HRS 900 BLOCK OF VIEWPOINT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 49 years of age, highly intoxicated. No transport.
2208 HRS 600 BLOCK OF LORREE LN. VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION. Complainant’s husband telephoned her today. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2230 HRS 20 BLOCK OF CLARK AVE. NOISE COMPLAINT. Continuous loud music being played. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
Huntley
August 3
A resident near 10700 Golden Gate reported theft of bank checks from a vehicle.
August 4
Burglary to motor vehicle occurred near 12800 Del Webb Boulevard. A GPS unit was taken from a glove box.
A resident near 10700 Wing Pointe reported that a mini sport bike style motorcycle was taken out of an open garage overnight.
Eric Spain age 31 of 10614 Philip was arrested for violation of order of protection. Mr. Spain was transported to McHenry County jail.
August 5
Two male, juveniles were charged with possession of tobacco by a minor.
Arnulfo Tellez age 35 of 2945 W. Belle Plaine, Chicago, IL, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court out of DuPage County. Mr. Tellez posted bond and was issued a DuPage County court date.
August 6
James Coltman age 22 of 11118 S. Church Street was issued a citation for selling tobacco to an underage individual while working at the Mobil station located at 13280 Route 47.
Nasreen Baki age 51 of 7725 S. Woodward, Woodridge, IL, was issued a citation for selling tobacco to an underage individual while working at the Mobil station located at 11200 Route 47.
Anthony Alfano age 19 of 5 Margate Court, Lake in the Hills, IL, was issued a citation for selling tobacco to an underage individual while working at Walgreens located at 12000 Princeton.
Joseph C. Iacullo age 65 of 12070 Barton Avenue was arrested on an outstanding warrant for parole violation. Mr. Iacullo was transported to McHenry County jail.
August 7
Two female, juveniles were cited for curfew violation.
August 8
Bridgett V. Haiges age 45 of 11601 2nd Street was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Ms. Haiges was also cited for improper lane usage and no insurance. Ms. Haiges posted bond and was released.

FEN Struck By Virus

In good company (Twitter and Facebook earlier this week), FEN was brought to a screeching halt Saturday afternoon and so far Sunday by a hacker attack.

Five hours after the latest antivirus update had been installed FEN's main (only) computer was infected with a virus that has eluded two other antivirus programs as well.

"Fortunately it's August and news is slow," observed FEN Editor Pete Gonigam.

Note: This story was run though yet another antivirus program, posted on an offsite computer and, presumably, currycombed by Google's industrial-strength antivirus programs.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
August 08
0734 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT., DOMESTIC BATTERY. PATINO, MARTHA A., F/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 1331 CUNAT CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0527 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 69 years of age, possibly with low blood sugar. No transport.
0647 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF SORREL ROW. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 9 years of age, having a seizure.Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1132 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Various symbols etched into the exterior of a vehicle.
1153 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. HIT & RUN. Delayed from last night. Parked vehicle hit by an unknown vehicle.
1502 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GLASCOW CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs Wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1652 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Complainant advising that unknown offender put brown sugar in gas tank.
1855 HRS 00 BLOCK OF SUGAR CREEK CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 45 years of age, with difficulty breathing. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
1931 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 2 years of age, with an allergic reaction. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1938 HRS 2000 BLOCK OF LITCHFIELD LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 71 years of age, with high blood pressure. No transport.
2115 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
2247 HRS 311 N RANDALL RD., (LITH THEATRES). HIT AND RUN. Unknown vehicle struck a parked vehicle
.2302 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs Girlfriend. Verbal only. Fifteen priors.
2334 HRS 3900 BLOCK OF PEARTREE DR. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.