Dem Sheriff's Candidate Reveals DUI Arrest

In an unusual news release Friday McHenry County Democratic Sheriff's candidate Mike Mahon announced he was once arrested for drunk driving and pleaded "no contest" to the charge.

The Lake in the Hills resident and Cook County Deputy told FEN the arrest was "a life-changing experience," which caused him to give up drinking altogether.

Mahon's release recounted that in December, 1991, while he was off-duty in his own car, Cook County police pulled him over to charge him with driving under the influence.  Mahon said he drew a six-month license suspension.

Mahon said he chose to reveal the case now because, "It's something I'd rather tell to voters now than have them find out after I'm elected."

"I want to be honest with the voters," Mahon said.

Mahon said the incident happened during the holiday season 18 years ago and its timeliness was another reason to bring it up now.  "It's important for all of us to be aware of the temptation to drink and drive," Mahon said.

In the pic: Mike Mahon at a recent meeting of McHenry County Democrats.

Grafton Supervisor Suspends Township Law Firm

Conflict continued late this week between Grafton Township's Supervisor and her Board of Trustees even without competing board meetings.  According to an email obtained by FEN, Supervisor Linda Moore Wednesday suspended the legal firm  she chose for the township seven weeks ago.

The email to Ancel-Glink partner Keri-Lyn Krafthefer advises her "the township does not have the funds to pay the invoices of your firm."

According to financial records, Grafton Township in the past seven months has paid various attorneys $3,000 more than the $45,000 budgeted for the entire year. Moore's email instructs Krafthefer to "discontinue services at this time".

In a return email an hour later Krafthefer refused to do so, saying Ancel Glink  "will continue representing the Township...until we are terminated...or replaced...in the manner provided by law."

Neither Moore nor Krafthefer could be reached for comment Friday.

Trustee Rob LaPorta Friday said budgetary considerations were irrelevant.  "We can take money from other funds or we can do a budget hearing."

"She's not happy the attorney is telling her she's doing things that are wrong," LaPorta said.

H1N1 Abates But Deaths Increase In Illinois

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported eight new deaths from H1N1 flu this week although hospital admissions remained low with only 389 new patients.  IDPH reported 2001 confirmed cases of the flu so far this year, 64 of them fatal.

IDPH reported all downstate vaccine received through the Centers For Disease Control has been shipped out to local agencies and another 175,000 doses are on order.

Immunization clinics for the most at-risk, primarily those 24 and under, are scheduled at various locations in McHenry County.  Scroll down for locations and times.

Local Sports

FOOTBALL

TODAY'S STATE FINALS

CLASS 6A
Providence vs. Cary-Grove


BASKETBALL

FRIDAY'S RESULTS

Crystal Lake South 45, King 38
Marian Central 67, Round Lake 46
Hononegah 80, Woodstock 30
Belvidere 46, Cary-Grove 41
Fremd 105, Woodstock North 33
Hoffman Estates 59, McHenry 58, OT

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
November 27
0521 HRS 00 BLOCK OF CHADWICK CT. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Tree on easement damaged.
0954 HRS 100 BLOCK OF COOL STONE BEND. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assisted McHenry County Sheriff’s Office with the serving of an Order of Protection.
1040 HRS 2300 BLOCK OF WEXFORD LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 9 years of age, having pain after a fall. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1335 HRS 200 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO A MOTOR VEHICLE. Vehicle was damaged by unknown object.
2253 HRS 3300 BLOCK OF WORTHINGTON LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 5 years of age, fever and shaky. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.

Black Friday Starts In Algonquin

Hundreds huddled in line on the sidewalks awaiting the 6 am open of Algonquin Commons this morning.  The question for retailers was whether they were early shoppers with plenty of holiday money burning a hole in their pockets or just a lot of optimists hoping to win the Commons' Day After Thanksgiving Event grand prize of a $2,500 shopping spree.

Forecasters expect a better Christmas than last year, except for those who expect a worse one and some riding the fence.

Algonquin Turkey Trotters Brave Rain, Cold

About 100 Thanksgiving athletes turned out for the Endurance Run Club's sixth annual Turkey Trot 5K run/walk to help out the Lake in the hills and Algonquin Lake in the Hills food pantry.

Half-hearted snow had turned back to rain by the 9 am start and particpants set a brisk pace, perhaps in knowledge that there was hot cocoa waiting at the finish.

In the pics: (above) Interfaith Food Pantry's Dick Hoferle wielded a bullhorn to start runners that Thursday's Turkey Trot.  (below) Matt and Juliann Brown helped stow the nonperishables runners donated to support the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Food Pantry.  

Highest, Best Use For Leftover Turkey

                                            Turkey Stuffing Soup

The stuffing's kind of like dumplings

1 turkey carcass broken into pieces
  (tin snips work if you don't have poultry shears)
2 1/2 qt cold water
3 carrots sliced
3 celery stalks sliced
  leaves from same chopped
1/2 cup parsley (optional)
1 bay leaf (optional)
1 tsp dried thyme
2 1/2 cups turkey stuffing
2 cups turkey gravy
2 tsp salt

Place all except stuffing and gravy in a pot.  Bring to boil and
simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Cool.  Remove skin, bones, tendons.  Add gravy and
heat again.  Add stuffing just before serving.

This freezes well except the stuffing will be soggy if you don't freeze it separately.

This is not merely a great turkey soup.  It's a great soup.  The only thing better is turkey soup made with with a roasting chicken.

Spray Paint Tagger Alert In LITH

Readers of the Police Blotters won't be surprised at Wednesday's Lake in the Hills Police Department announcement about a rash of graffiti in the village.

Incidents have been mostly along Pyott Road in the area of and on Navajo Drive for the past couple of months.  The graffiti has been located on the roadways, stop signs, fences and a building and the silo at the Silo Glen apartments.

Here's what police say has been painted, mostly in black and white but some in purple and orange:
“MEK”
“one”
“SAB”
“LKN”
“KWC”
“KWC USA”
“815”
“DEF”
“flith”
“Happy Ha”
A caricature face.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes are asked to contact Det. Pat Boulden, Lake in the Hills Police, at 847-658-5676.

In the pics:  (above) Fences, signs, walls, pavement. If it's immobile it's been tagged. (below)  One of the taggers may look like this.

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
November 26
0106 HRS INDIAN TRAIL & PHEASANT DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. HAGGARD, SHAWN A., M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 114 INDIAN TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident. RELEASED ON BOND.
1956 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL). BATTERY/DOMESTIC BATTERY. ANDERSON, BLAKE A., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 35W580 COUNTRY SCHOOL RD., WEST DUNDEE. CHARGES: Domestic Battery 2 counts. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL ANDERSON, MICHAELA D., F/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 2571 WATERFORD LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS, CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND. PRZYBYL, CHRISTEN JEAN, F/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 180 COOLSTONE BEND, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
2140 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & BOULDER DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. ERNST, DAVID J., M/W 58 YEARS OF AGE, 302 PLUM DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under The influence of alcohol over .08, Failure to signal. RELEASED ON BOND.
FOLLOW-UP ARRESTS: 0716 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. (11/25/09 @ 1402 HRS) HIT & RUN. NOVAK, JOHN L., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE. 7 WOODLAND AVE., FOX LAKE. CHARGES: Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Driving while
License Suspended, Failure to Reduce Speed. RELEASED ON BOND.
1021 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1405 HRS 300 BLOCK OF RIDGE LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 91 year old female with hip pain after falling. No transport.
1451 HRS 600 BLOCK OF JOSEPH ST. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Complainant’s window was damaged overnight. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
1611 HRS 200 BLOCK OF FERRYVILLE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 85 year old female passed out at the dinner table. No transport.
1706 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PINE ST. CONTACT WITH A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER Contact was made with a registered sex offender.
1951 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 68 year old female having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2040 HRS 0 BLOCK OF HOLLYHOCK CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE/ 80 year old female fell and struck her head. No transport.

County Unemployment Now At 9.6 Percent

McHenry County's unemployment rate increased again in October from 9.3 percent percent in September to a a new high of 9.6 percent, according to the monthly state Department of Employment Security report released Wednesday.   The Illinois unemployment rate last month rose to 10.5 percent despite economists' declarations that the Great Recession is over.

U.S. GDP figures for the third quarter were revised downward this week
but were still up from their bottom.  Still, the national unemployment rate was unchanged for October.

Despite the increase, McHenry County again showed the second-best unemployment rate of the collar counties. DuPage County maintained the lowest unemployment rate.  Cook County's rate leaped to a new high of
10.8 percent

In McHenry County Algonquin still showed the lowest rate of unemployment. Crystal Lake marked the greatest increase in unemployment rate in October and McHenry had the highest rate.

Here are selected figures from September's Illinois Department of Employment Security report:

UNEMPLOYMENT             
               REVISED SEP. 2009        PRELIMINARY OCT. 2009               
               LABOR    UNEMPLOYED      LABOR   UNEMPLOYED    OCT.
               FORCE    NUMBER  RATE    FORCE   NUMBER   RATE 2008   
U.S. (X1000)   153,617  14,538   9.5    153,635   14,547 9.5  6.1 
ILLINOIS     6,605,309 673,601  10.2  6,633,769  697,903 10.5 6.5 

COOK COUNTY  2,603,406 274,553  10.5  2,614,103  283,153 10.8 6.5 
DUPAGE COUNTY  523,589  44,756   8.5    525,122   45,858 8.7  5.0 
WILL COUNTY    358,934  35,552   9.9    360,239   36,566 10.2 5.7 
MCHENRY COUNTY 177,314  16,521   9.3    178,012   17,074 9.6  5.5 
KANE COUNTY    264,171  26,174   9.9    265,059   26,848 10.1 5.8 
LAKE COUNTY    366,908  36,510   10.0   367,635   37,797 10.3 7.0 

ALGONQUIN       16,663   1,448   8.7     16,711    1,482 8.9  5.1 
LITH            16,970   1,535   9.0     17,000    1,551 9.1  5.1 
CRYSTAL LAKE    22,160   2,068   9.3     22,257    2,147 9.6  5.7   
MCHENRY         14,858   1,457   9.8     14,847    1,434 9.7  6.2 

Huntley Turkey Testicle Festival Marks 27th Year

The aroma of deep-fried turkey testicles wafted over Huntley's Village Square and the line waiting to sample them stretched through the rain halfway down the block from Parkside Pub Friday.

Local service group members who shared in the proceeds from the 27th Annual Turkey Testical Festival scurried to serve up cups of the battered (ouch) organs.

Many in the crowd had so much fun they didn't want to leave.  Indeed, thanks to the slithery mud in the parking area it wasn't easy to do.

In the pics: (above)  No comment here. (below)  Pam and Marc Blanton, Dave Fickenscher and Jen Coppock said turkey testicles were swell but guess who had just gobbled (sorry) a cupful.

Black Friday Promos In Huntley, Algonquin

Retailers call the day after Thanksgiving Black Friday.  It's the day they're supposed to be swamped by early Christmas shoppers.  Two area malls aren't taking any chances, though, scheduling promotions for the day.

Huntley's Prime Outlets doors open at midnight tonight for the Midnight Madness Pajama Jam, "the biggest sale of the year". The first 500 people to arrive in your PJs receive a free gift bag including special edition Jockey sleepwear.

Six hours later, that is at 6 am Friday, Algonquin Commons will launch its Day After Thanksgiving Event. The first 1,500 people in line (13 and older) will recieve Commons Gift Cards and totes.

Slugabeds who sign up at the Commons before 10am Friday will have a chance to win a $2,500 shopping spree or gift cards in $1,000, $500 and $100 denominations.

Centegra H1N1 Shot Clinics To Resume Tuesday

With the arrival of a new shipment of vaccine Centegra Health System is continuing to offer H1N1 immunization at its four clinics including Huntley.

Here's the latest schedule:

From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1
From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3
From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8
From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 12

Centegra encouraged residents to check centegra.org or follow www.twitter.com/centegra_h1n1 for the latest information regarding vaccine supply.

Evaluation and treatment clinics will resume Monday.

Safe Food Handling Tips Offered By MCDH

The McHenry County Department of Health issued safe food-handling tips this week for Thanksgiving cooks. They add up to keeping “hot things hot (135 degrees or more) and cold things cold” to reduce the risk of a food-borne illness.

Other safety tips include:

Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before and after handling foods.

Clean all kitchen surfaces before you begin cooking.

Scrub cutting boards with hot soapy water after preparing food to avoid cross contamination.

Use a metal stemmed food thermometer to ensure food is cooked to the proper temperature.  Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria.

Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving time.

If you suspect a food-borne illness, contact the Department of Health for investigation.  Staff can be reached at 815-334-4585, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.  For after hour emergencies, call 815-344-7421.   Visit www.mcdh.info for other food safety tips.

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
November 25
0345 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR. GERMAINE, RENEE Al, F/W 17 YOA, 404 E. OAK ST.,LAKE IN THE HILLS.
CHARGES: Illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor and an ordinance violation citation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
1336 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LITH POLICE). WANTED ON WARRANT. SANCHEZ JR, MARK P., M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 2090 BRITTANY BEND, LAKE IN THE HILLS.  CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, DeKalb County for Failure to Appear, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Bond Amount: $2,000 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND
0423 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 68 year-old female with high blood pressure. No transport.
0802 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & OAKLEAF RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1037 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO A MOTOR VEHICLE. Complainant's vehicle was rummaged through overnight.
1136 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Property damage only.
1358 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1401 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. HIT & RUN. Complainant’s vehicle was struck by a 1999 Chevrolet truck.
1601 HRS 600 WHITE PINE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 52 year-old female possiblY having a heart attack. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1726 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Female with a possible neck injury. No transport.
1739 HRS RANDALL RD. & POLARIS DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1912 HRS ALGONQUIN RD & BOULDER DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.

Grafton Township Dueling Board Meetings Continue

The Grafton Township battle of special board meetings continued Tuesday.  One meeting called by Trustees Rob LaPorta and Betty Zirk paid some bills.  At the second, called by Supervisor Linda Moore, none of the trustees showed up.

The first meeting at the Huntley Park District was called to examine half a ream of township and road district bills trustees refused to deal with at a special meeting last Thursday claiming Moore hadn't included them in board briefing packets.  Trustees questioned Moore about four bills including membership in the Algonquin and Crystal Lake chambers of commerce and some for accounting services by a firm Moore had hired. 

Trustees asked Township attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer if Moore could legally hire an accounting service without the board's OK.  Krafthefer didn't say Moore couldn't but said the Board could pick another firm if they wished to.

The board approved payments for all the bills except the chamber memberships and the accounting services, Moore the lone no-vote. Then they adjourned, the entire meeting having lasted about 20 minutes.

Moore rushed to the Grafton Township Offices where she had called a second special meeting to examine the audit of the township's books due at the state comptroller's office at the end of the month.  Also on Moore's agenda were motions to obtain and audit the records of the independent but previously intertwined Grafton Township Food Pantry. Moore waited 10 minutes for someone to show up, then declared that meeting closed.

Following the meeting Highway Commissioner Jack Freund told FEN he had approached Harris Bank about paying off the road district's loan  to purchase the township offices, part of the aborted plan to build new township offices.  Freund said his loan officer told him the bank's legal department had to examine the request first.

In the pic: Township Supervisor Linda Moore didn't bother to put out nameplates for Grafton Trustees at the special meeting she called Tuesday.  

Jacobs High School To Host H1N1 Shot Clinic

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced shipment of another 100,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine throughout the state Tuesday and the McHenry County Department of Health scheduled its next community clinic for H1N1 injectable vaccine for Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Jacobs High School.

The clinics are for priority groups including pregnant women, caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age, children and individuals aged 4-24, those aged 25-64 with a chronic health condition, healthcare workers and first responders.  Pregnant women should call for an appointment.  Appointments can be made online at www.mcdh.info or by calling the hotline at 815-334-2800.

Limited appointments are still available for Sunday, Nov. 29, at McHenry County College. Cancellations do occur so MCDH  encourages residetns to check the website for the most up-to-date information. 

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas III

Scouts from Algonquin Troop 151 toted trees Tuesday helping perennial Christmas Tree vendor Steve Perry, Powers, MI, set up his lot on Algonquin Road just west of Randall.  Perry's been giving the boys a cut from his sales for the last couple of decades in exchange for work at the lot.

"This is the first real job for most of these kids," said Perry.  "It's the first time they really find out about hard work and responsibility and the rest of that sort of stuff."

The money the troop earned last year helped pay for a Scout trip to North Carolina to try sea kayaking.  Next year's High Adventure trip will take them to the Colorado wilds, they said.

In the pic: Troop 151 Scouts Alex Reinbrecht and Tom Bieneman lug one of a small forest of Christmas Trees at Steve's Evergreens tree lot, Algonquin. 

"Giving Trees" Support Hearts of Gold Holiday Project

The Algonquin Area Public Library, both branches, are among the 14 "Giving Tree" locations for the area's Hearts of Gold Holiday Project.

Hearts of Gold is the homegrown Algonquin and Lake in the Hills charitable group to help "those struggling due to financial hardships".
The Giving Trees help families and senior citizens who would otherwise face a Dickensian Christmas--the kind that doesn't involve a good fat goose at the end of the story.

The giving trees are decorated with paper ornaments detailing a specific gift for donors to sponsor. Children from newborn to 18 years old are given 2 new clothing outfits and 3-5 toys/gifts. Each family also receives non-perishable food items, personal hygiene items and a food gift card to purchase perishable food items. Depending on donations each family may also receive household items such as sheets, blankets and towels.  They'll be distributed by Hearts of Gold volunteers Dec. 12.

Giving trees are at the following locations:

Algonquin Public Library      2600 Harnish Dr., Algonquin
Algonquin Public Library      115 Eastgate Dr., Algonquin
Flooring America              2040 E. Algonquin Rd., Algonquin
Diamond Therapy               1406 E. Algonquin Rd., Algonquin
Village of LITH               600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills
Village of Algonquin          2200 Harnish Dr., Algonquin
Joy Community Church          108 S. Lakewood, Lake in the Hills
Arcadia Salon & Spa           2142 County Line Rd., Algonquin
Chicago Street Hair           1475 W. Algonquin Rd., Algonquin
Algonquin State Bank          221 S. Main St., Algonquin
LITH Property Owners Assoc.   1212 Crystal Lake Rd., Lake in the Hills
Eastview Elementary School    540 Longwood Dr., Algonquin
American Legion Auxiliary     1101 E. Algonquin Rd., Algonquin
Castle Bank                   2100 W. Algonquin Rd., Lake in the Hills
Expert Health & Rehab         1493 Merchant Dr., Algonquin

Besides the Giving Trees the libraries offer another way to donate to Hearts of Gold.  Through Dec. 7 overdue fines will be forgiven in exchange for a good donation.

In the pics:  (above) One of Hearts of Gold's "Giving Trees" at the Algonquin Area Public Library Main Branch.  (below)  Library patrons Ron Cook and sons, Neil, Nathan and Ryon donate a bag of non-perishable food to the group's Holiday Project.

Algonquin Turkey Trot To Kick Off Thanksgiving

Those of the running persuasion will have a chance to work off a few of those holiday pounds in advance Thursday morning at the Endurance Run Club's Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K run/walk to help out the Lake in the hills and Algonquin food pantry.

The group's annual holiday canter starts at 8 am with registration from 7:15 to 7:50 am at LifeTime Fitness in Algonquin, Illinois, 451 Rolls Drive. That's behind the Panera Bread on Randall Road. Signup costs $10 or equal value in non-perishable food items, of which go to the food pantry. When everyone's done running or walking, (dogs and strollers are welcomed), there'll be raffles for the participants.

More details are can be had from Karie Stringer. Call LifeTime Fitness, 224-623-2852.

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
November 24
0643 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF RIDGEWOOD CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 53 years of age, had a reaction to medication. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1158 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LA COSTA CT. HIT & RUN. Vehicle struck while parked curbside. White paint transfer on driver’s side of vehicle.
1210 HRS 600 BLOCK OF LORREE LN. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Information regarding a possible trespass was received from complainant.
1358 HRS 71 HILLTOP DR. (BUTCH HAEGLE BEACH). FOUND PROPERTY. A pier was found washed ashore.
1452 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. LOST DRIVERS LICENSE. Complainant lost her driver’s license on 112209. Entered into L.E.A.D.S.
1539 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1544 HRS 0 BLOCK OF SUGAR CREEK CT. THEFT Stolen was $230.00 currency.
PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
1618 HRS 14 PROSPER CT. ASSIST OTHER DEPARTMENT. Outside assist to West Chicago Police Department witha recovery of a stolen semi trailer and items inside. TURNED OVER TO WEST CHICAGO POLICE.
L09-14108 1835 HRS 9210 TRINITY DR. ( PLAYERS CHOICE). ASSIST AMBULANCE 32 year old male subject fell and struck his head. No transport.
1920 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2040 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. DOMESTIC. Verbal argument between husband and wife. 2 priors.
2049 HRS 400 BLOCK OF ANNANDALE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Sisters shoving each other. 20 priors. FAIL TO FILE.
L09-14117 2117 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2147 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. DOMESTIC. Husband advised that his wife is destroying his laptop. 41 year old male transported to Saint Joseph’s Hospital. 3 priors.
2226 HRS 5000 BLOCK OF LANSBURY CIRCLE. DOMESTIC Verbal only between boyfriend and girlfriend. No priors.
2359 HRS 5733 FOXFIELD LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Wife punched husband in the back of the head. 1 prior. FAIL TO FILE.

Candidate Charges Nygren Used Sheriff's Office For Politics

Republican candidate for McHenry County Sheriff Zane Seipler charged Monday his opponent and erstwhile boss, Keith Nygren, improperly used county property and on-duty personnel for his own political campaign and in another race earlier.  In a release to county news media Seipler included copies of complaints he's made to the McHenry County State's Attorney, the Illinois Attorney General and the State Board of Elections.

Seipler claims that at various times Nygren has used deputies and patrol cars for political errands and warped two Sheriff's public relations programs into campaign events for himself.  He also charged two years ago Nygren allowed deputies to campaign on county time and property for State's Attorney candidate Dan Regna.  Furthermore, Seipler claimed Nygren failed to investigate whether Regna's campaign manager, a courthouse security officer, broke the law while holding computer records surreptitiously copied from the State's Attorney's office.

Nygren could not be reached Monday and did not respond to a message seeking comment.

Rumors that Seipler was trying to make the complaints have been floating around the courthouse so long that even the Democrats knew about them.  Seipler said he went public Monday because "it started to get circular going to the investigative agencies," each one passing him along to another until he ended up where he started.

Monday First Assistant State's Attorney Tom Carroll, said the McHenry County State's Attorney can't investigate Seipler's charges against the Sheriff because it's already the attorney for the Sheriff's Office in a number of civil cases.  Carroll said Seipler himself is a defendant deputy in one case and a complainant in another.  Last month Carroll advised Seipler to take his complaints to the Attorney General or the Election Board.

Spokeswoman Robyn Ziegler said Monday, "The Attorney General's office is not investigating the allegations."  She said the decision was procedural and had nothing to do with whether the complaints were true or false. "Primary jurisdiction belongs to the State's Attorney's Office."

Carroll responded that Seipler had added a number of campaign-related complaints he hadn't raised last month.

Board of Elections Executive Director Dan White said Monday he wasn't sure of the current status of Seipler's complaints there referring the question to his General Counsel, gone for the day.

Seipler said he's hired his own attorney to try to figure out what to do next.

Seipler is a former McHenry County Deputy whom Nygren fired for a pair of irregular traffic stops.  Seipler claimed the termination was retaliation for his complaints about Sheriff's Office racial profiling.  Last month a federal arbitrator ruled the stops were only worth a three-day suspension and ordered Nygren to restore Seipler to duty. That hasn't happened yet.

Seipler said Monday Nygren had requested the arbitrator to reconsider his decision. Seipler said he'd learned Monday morning Nygren's request was turned down.

In the pic:  Sheriff's candidate Zane Seipler at a Patriot's United rally this summer.

Seipler's Charges

Republican Primary Sheriff's candidate Zane Seipler listed 10 allegations against McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren in a complaint to the State Board of Elections in October:

1. Nygren has been using the Sheriff's logo and letterhead in campaign materials.
2. Nygren promoted a deputy who pressured Seipler and other deputies to support State's Attorney candidate Dan Regna in 2008.
3. One of Nygren's security personnel harassed a Seipler supporter at the courthouse.
4. Nygren used county time and property to create campaign material for Regna in 2008.
5. Nygren didn't investigate another courhouse security guard who had records stolen from the State's Attorney's
   office during the Bianchi/Regna campaign in 2007 and 2008.
6. Nygren used deputies and squad cars in a political fundraiser.
7. Nygren used deputies and cars to promote himself instead of the Sheriff's office in parades.
8. Nygren turned the Sheriff's "Shop With A Cop" community relations program into part of his election campaign.
9. Nygren allowed deputies to campaign for Regna at the Sheriff's Office.
10. Nygren may or may not have used official Sheriff's decals to decorate a campaign auction golf cart.

Algonquin Contributes To Operation Support Our Troops

Algonquin Trustee Bob Smith Monday dropped off a box of "creature comfort" items for servicemen and women overseas. The goodies were donated by staff at Village Hall as part of Operation Support Our Troops to provide things like peanut butter, cocoa and mouthwash that's hard to come by in a combat zone.

"When I was a Marine this would have been great to get," Smith said.

Separately Algonquin paraeducator Adrianne Lindblom told the District 300 Board Monday staff and teachers had contributed almost two tons of donations to Operation Support Our Troops earlier this month.

In the pic:  Bob Smith hands over donations to Mary Huellen, Office Manager at Diamond Therapy, Algonquin, the area collection point for Operation Support Our Troops.

Harvest Late In McHenry County

Technically Craig Miller was harvesting a field in unincorporated Rutland Township Monday but he could have thrown a cob over Kreutzer road into Huntley.  It was a reminder that there's still a lot of agriculture in the area. It was also a reminder that farming's a tough way to make a living.

Miller said the corn he was combining was still pretty wet, about 26 percent moisture.  Neither was the yield very good.  He said his fields in Orangeville, Winnebago County, were producing 50 percent higher than southeastern McHenry County. 

Early Start Proposed For District 300 in 2010-11

The District 300 Board of Education got a look at proposed school year calendars for the next two years. Associate Superintendant David Scarpino said, "We start school early. We end before Memorial Day." He said the schedule would provide more time for students to prepare for final exams and state tests.

Board Member Monica Clark said she was glad to see "days off" grouped together instead of scattered individually. "That's important for parents to arrange for child care," she said.

The proposed new school years would begin in Mid-August which would result in a summer vacation of only about two months' duration between the current year and the next. "This is pretty short," said Board Member Ann Miller.

The District's proposed calendars can be examined here:
http://www.d300.org/files/Proposed%20calendars%202010-11%20and%202011-12.pdf

First Day For New Huntley Library Director

Huntley's new Library Director Patrick McDonald spent a lot of his first day on the job Monday meeting his staff.  Even as he was doing that workers were busy preparing for installation of the library's new mobile addition in January.

"I'm very excited to be here," said McDonald. "It's a fantastic staff and (outgoing Director) Virginia (Maravilla) has made me very welcome."

"I'm looking forward to being part of the growth of this libary and the growth of Huntley in the coming years," McDonald said.

In the pic:  Huntley Library Director Patrick McDonald (on the ground) inspects preparations to connect a new temporary addition to the Huntley Library.

Friends Tell Friends About The First Electric Newspaper

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
November 23
1607 HRS RAKOW RD. & ROUTE 31. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. RODRIGUEZ, IRMA, F/W 47 YOA, 990 ALYCE LANE, AURORA. CHARGES: Driving while license suspended, no insurance. RELEASED ON BOND. WANTED ON WARRANT. BRAVO, ORLANDO, M/W 25 YOA,202 NORTHWEST HWY.,FOX RIVER GROVE. CHARGES: Wanted on a warrant; Aurora PD – Driving While License Suspended – Bond Amount; $310.00 full cash. RELEASED ON BOND.
2147 HRS 101 PYOTT RD. (MOBIL). DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. RIVERA, JUAN J., M/W 26 YOA, 2132 TEPEE, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Driving while license revoked. RELEASED ON BOND.
0211 HRS 20 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal altercation. No priors.
0413 HRS 10 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 83 years of age, was feeling ill.  Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1027 HRS 300 BLOCK OF CLEAR SKY TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 12 years of age, was choking on a piece of candy.No transport.
1146 HRS GRAFTON FARM DR. & MILLER RD. FOUND PROPERTY. A set of keys were found on the bike path.
1212 HRS 100 BLOCK OF LAKE DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. No prior.
1216 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF SULLIVAN PASS. THEFT. Delayed. Snow plow taken from driveway last week.
1322 HRS 2265 ALGONQUIN RD. (THORNTONS). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1339 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Ex boyfriend vs. ex girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
1402 HRS 1480 IMHOFF DR. (M&A PRECISION TRUCK). BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Miscellaneous tools and electronic devices taken.
2041 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Father vs. 20 year old mentally disabled son and Father’s girlfriend. Verbal only, one prior.
2310 HRS 100 BLOCK OF W. PHEASANT TRAIL DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2340 HRS 2300 BLOCK OF CLAIMONT DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. Two priors. FAIL TO FILE. Male, 33 years of age, was transported to Sherman Hospital for having an injured knee.

MCEDC Poised For Economic Recovery

The McHenry County Economic Development Corporation installed three new board members last week to replace retiring area business leaders.  MCEDC officials said the public-private partnership tasked with creating new county jobs and businesses was ready to catch any economic upswing.

The past year was one of turmoil for the group which relies on about $150,000 of county funding each year to promote McHenry County business.  First MCEDC's President unexpectedly quit, then Chairman Walt Packard in effect resigned when he gave up his post as McHenry County College president. All of that, of course, was in the midst of  the Great Recession.

It took months for MCEDC to sift through almost 90 candidates before hiring area banker Pam Cumpata as President earlier this year.  But a big MCEDC business conference in September drew about 150 participants.

"My feelings are the past is over and we're moving forward said County Board Liaison Lynn Orphal.  "I've heard nothing but good feedback," she said.

"We pretty much see the need for the organization to become a bigger player in the development of the county," said Chairman Jim Thorpe. "Our member base has expanded.  Our resources are up," he said.

Turkey (Testicle) Day This Week In Huntley

Wednesday marks Huntley's Parkside Pub's 27th annual Turkey Testicle Festival.  Contrary to what one might expect considering the featured fare,  Parkside's celebration is neither the only nor even the oldest of its kind in Illinois.  It is, however, the one that runs from 11 am to "the wee small hours of the morning" in Huntley the day before Thanksgiving.

Lions, Jaycees and Huntley Youth Football volunteers help staff the festival and share in the proceeds. Last year, more than 3,900 people turned out to munch on 1,280 pounds of turkey testes. The things are coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried, eaten with ketchup, Tabasco, or simply al fresco.  Beer is the recommended beverage so festival-goers have to be 21.

Five bands are scheduled to play (sequentially) and there's a huge heated tent in case the weather takes a header.  Admission is $10.

In the pic:  Parkside's Turkey Testicle Festival graphic is a case of artistic license.  According to poultry authorities, Toms carry their testes internally and pretty high up in the abdomen besides.

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
November 22
0002 HRS REED RD. & LAKEWOOD DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. CASHMAN, ANDREA M., FEMALE/WHITE 42 YEARS OF AGE, 2938 IMPRESSIONS DR., LITH. Charges: Driving Under the Influence of alcohol, Blood Alcohol Content over .08, and failure to signal. RELEASED ON CASH BOND.
0412 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC. Father v. son. Verbal altercation. Three priors.
0734 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF LANSBURY CIRCLE. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO PROPERTY. Unknown subject forced entry into residence through garage door.
1233 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ROYAL OAK LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Vehicle scratched overnight while parked in driveway.
1339 HRS 1401 INDUSTRIAL DR. (PYOTT SELF STORAGE). THEFT. A trailer and three snowmobiles were taken. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1523 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 67 year old with high blood pressure. No transport.
1923 HRS 100 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 37 year old had taken too many pain pills. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1928 HRS 600 BLOCK OF WINDERMERE WAY. DOMESTIC. Verbal argument between husband and wife. No priors.
2136 HRS 4200 BLOCK OF LARKSPUR LN. ACCIDENT. A mailbox and a street sign were struck.
Algonquin
November 20
11:29am Seubert, Derrek C., DOB: 09/23/92, of 206 Scenic Drive, Algonquin, as well as, two sixteen-year-old males from Lake in the Hills and a sixteen-year-old male from Algonquin, were all charged with Trespass.  All were taken into custody at Toastmaster, 401 Washington Street.  Seubert was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 12/30/09, in McHenry County.  One juvenile from Lake in the Hills was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his parents.  The other two juveniles were issued Notices to Appear, with a court date of 12/30/09, in Algonquin.
15:23pm Bettenhausen, Kelly M., DOB: 04/19/90, of 1924 Marlboro lane, Cresthill, was charged with DWLS.  She was taken into custody at Randall Road and Huntington Drive.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 12/30/09, in McHenry County.
November 21
03:30am McWilliams, Susan M., DOB: 09/23/53, of 950 Fairway, Lake Barrington, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Lake County for Failure to Appear, on a DUI charge.  She was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
13:19pm Hawryla, Dariusz K., DOB: 09/30/89, of 1022 Lake Spur, Pingree Grove, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Hanson Road.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 12/30/09, in McHenry County.
21:49pm Larsen, John E., DOB: 06/03/66, of 550 Tanglewood Court, Algonquin, was charged with DUI, No Proof of Insurance and Improper Lane Use.  He was taken into custody at Algonquin and Randall Roads.  He was released after posting his Illinois Driver’s License and $100, with a court date of 12/30/09, in McHenry County.
November 22
04:03am Lang, Holly S., DOB: 07/23/73, of 1551 Seminole Road, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant, out of McHenry County for Contempt of Court.  She was taken into custody at 2250 W. Algonquin Road.  She was released after posting $132.65, with a court date of 12/22/09, in McHenry County.
14:55pm Carolan, Brianne E., DOB: 09/16/92, of 1440 Notting Hill Road, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 12/23/09, in McHenry County.
20:28pm Tomberlin, John E., DOB: 02/23/67 of 1421, Washington Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DUI, No Proof of Insurance and Improper Lane Use.  He was taken into custody at Crystal Lake Road and Algonquin Road.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 12/30/09, in McHenry County.
November 23
00:01am A sixteen-year-old male from Lake in the Hills, a sixteen-year-old male from Elgin and a sixteen-year-old male from Carpentersville were all charged with Violation of Curfew.  The male from Elgin was also charged with No Valid Driver’s License.  The male from Elgin was released on a Notice to Appear, in McHenry County, with a court date of 12/30/09.  The other two juvenile were released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 12/30/09, in Algonquin.

Jaycee's Wheel Of Meat Raises Funds for Grafton Pantry

"Vanna, tell them what they've won."

"It's a lovely rack of baby-back ribs, Pat, succulent, vacuum-sealed and ready for the grill at any Huntley backyard get-together."

No, it wasn't quite that way. Even without the goatee Todd Bartter couldn't pass for Vanna White. Nevertheless the Huntley Jaycees' second annual Wheel Of Meat at Algonquin's Barley House restaurant and pub Saturday proved a wheel of fortune to help support of the Grafton Township Food Pantry.

Jaycees reported the event raised $2,000 for the pantry.

In the pic:  Scott Scaletta, lucky winner of a pack of crabs, spins the wheel to select the next number at the Huntley Jaycee's Wheel Of Meat Saturday.  Scaletta said he had no idea how to prepare crab:  "I'll probably give 'em to my sister and have her cook it." 

Only 245 Shopping Days Until Algonquin Founders' Fest

Lead-time for Christmas (only 33 shopping days until) is nothing compared to how long it takes to get ready for Algonquin's 50th Founders' Days Festival in 2010.  That's part of what the village's Historic Commission was working on at Historic Village Hall Saturday.

"The Founders' Days Committee asked for a list of all the committee presidents, honorees, favorites and parade marshalls," said Commission Chairman Jeff Jolitz. "For the last 49 years.  I hope we can find them."

In the pic:  Algonquin Historic Commission volunteers Johanna Copel and Connie Jacobsen help Chairman Jeff Jolitz comb Founders' Days materials no one's seen "since Hector was a pup".

Stop-Smoking Classes, Oral Exams Scheduled

This is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Centegra Health System offers a four-part Smoking Cessation class at its Health Bridge Fitness Center, Huntley. The goal of smoking cessation is to help participants become successful in the process and to teach new skills to cope with life's stresses.

There is a $100 commitment fee at the start of the program. However, if participants attend three out of the four classes, there's a $50 rebate. As a bonus during the program, all participants also receive a temporary membership to Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center.  The number to call to find out days and times, or to register is 815-444-2900.

From 5 to 7 pm Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Centegra Sage Cancer Center, McHenry, in a new program Centegra will provide an exam of the mouth, oral cavity and facial area in an effort to detect any precancerous changes. This is a free screening for oral and mouth cancer and does not take the place of an annual exam by a personal physician. Registration is required by calling 877-236-8347.

Local Football

SATURDAY'S SEMIFINALS

CLASS 4A
Geneseo 24, Richmond-Burton 20

CLASS 5A
Montini 42, Woodstock 24

CLASS 6A
Cary-Grove 40, Prairie Ridge 7

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
November 21
0044 HRS 2250 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (PROVENA MEDICAL). ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. RAYFIELD, NICHOLAS K., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 8 E. PHEASANT TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
1201 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. FOUND PROPERTY. Bicycle.
1520 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ADAMS ST. MISSING JUVENILE. 14 year old male has not been home since yesterday afternoon. RETURNED HOME
1549 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.