Blood Drives This Month Seek To Rebuild Stocks

Both branches of the Algonquin Area Public Library were the scenes of American Red Cross blood drives Friday as agencies try to replenish dwindling blood stocks during the vacation season.  Five more drives are scheduled in the area this month including one next week in Algonquin in which residents can make a double donation--one of blood and one of food, stocks of which at local food pantries are also becoming scant.

Monday will see a blood drive at Jersey Mike's Subs on North Randall in Lake in the Hills.   From 11 am to 2:30 pm every blood donor gets a buy one, get one free sub card and another card for a quart of Oberweis Ice Cream.

However, Wednesday Algonquin's Snap Fitness on East Algonquin Road will host the most incentivized summer blood drive in years.  From 1 to 7 pm donors will receive: a certificate for a quart of Oberweis ice cream; a free sub from Jersey Mike's; a Cheeseburger from Cheeseburgers in Paradise; a free Parrot Head T-shirt; a raffle entry for two personal training sessions at Snap Fitness (plus activity monitor) and another raffle entry for two tickets to the Jimmy Buffet concert next Saturday.

BUT WAIT, to coin a phrase, THERE'S MORE. Assuming at least 50 blood donors, Heartland Blood Centers will donate $250 to the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry. And if blood donors care to drop off monetary donations and non-perishable food items Wednesday, those will be gratefully accepted, too. The goal is to raise $1,000 for the pantry.

Three more drives follow before the end of the month, all featuring Oberweis ice cream cards:

July 26 from 11 am to 3 pm at Brightstar Home Health, Princeton Lane, LITH.
July 26 from 1 to 4 pm at Heritage Woods Of Huntley, Regency Parkway.
July 27 from Noon to 4 pm at Algonquin Village Hall 2200 Harnish Drive.

To give blood donors have to be be at least 17 years old or 16 with written parental permission; weigh at least 110 pounds; be symptom free of cold, flu and allergies and be in general good health. Donors who have traveled outside the United States within the past 12 months should contact Heartland at 1-800-7TO-GIVE to determine eligibility.

In the pic:  Algonquin resident Kelly Parker was a donor Friday at the American Red Cross blood drive at the Harnish Drive Main Library.

Brush Pickup Set In Hard-Hit LITH

LITH Public Works crews will begin picking up residents' brush from this week's storm starting at 7 am, Monday. If it's not out on the curb by then, though, officials warn, residents may be on their own.

Crews will start Monday at the far west side of the Village and work their way east passing each street once. The equipment will only handle branches up to four inches in diameter, though.  Anything smaller should be piled in the parkway next to the street with the cut end facing out so it'll go into the chipper right. Anything larger should be cut down so it weighs less than 50 pounds and placed next to  trash containers on the regular trash day, according to a LITH release.

Public Works Director Fed Mullard said LITH's waiting until Monday so everyone has enough time to get his debris cut and brought out.  In the meantime Public Works crews have been clearing up some of the worst damaged areas in the parks and verge areas.

If residents miss getting their brush out in time for pickup it can still be disposed of next to the mulch pile in front of the Public Works facility at 9010 Haligus Road.  (Leave it on the grass, not the pavement.) There's no one at the dropoff point but it'll be open any time during daylight hours.

In the pic:  The windstorm downed a lot of branches in LITH.  This was the James Redfern family on Crystal Lake Road Monday.

Another Rabid Bat Found In McHenry County

The McHenry County Department of Health reported its second rabid bat of the year this week. It was in a Cary residence Wednesday but the homeowners trapped it in a room and called called Animal Control (815-459-6222) for help. Statewide, 17 rabid bats have been reported in 14 counties this year.

MCDH recommends he best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure. Residents are encouraged to take a “hands off” approach to wild animals, for example.  Keeping cats and dogs up to date with vaccinations is another recommendation to create a barrier of protection in case a pet is bitten by a rabid animal. Bats tend to get the worst rabies rap in Illinois but skunks and raccoons rate pretty high on the list too.

In a perfect world you could train West Nile mosquitoes to only bite rabid bats.  However, it's emphatically not a perfect world, so a word to the wise is the best anyone can do.

In the pic:  A non-rabid little brown bat, one of the two most common species around here.

Federal Reserve "Watches" Illinois, California Debt

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
The nation’s top banker is watching Illinois and California with a keen eye on their unfunded obligations and unpaid debts. "We watch those (states) very carefully," said Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve this week. "We also look at exposures of banks and other institutions to those states. We don't see any immediate risk there."

Bernanke spoke in Washington, D.C., during a State Banking Committee hearing on the U.S. debt ceiling and Europe's shaky economies. He was answering questions from U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., who said he wanted to know that the federal government was not just watching potential problems abroad. "As Greece has ruined the bond market of Europe, so could Illinois and California ruin the bond market of the United States," Kirk said.

Bernanke said no U.S. states are quite in the desperate financial situation of some European countries, at least not yet. "A number of states do need to be thinking about their longer-term sustainability, given the unfunded liabilities they may have in state pensions and in some cases health-care programs," said Bernanke.

Kirk said most people in Illinois were misled into believing that the revenue from the higher income taxes has put the state on track to pay its bills and get out of debt. "I'm worried that state leaders are not being clear, concise and fully transparent on the bleak future that faces Illinois because its leaders will not cut spending."

"When the state’s past borrowing is combined with unpaid bills and unfunded pension and retiree health-care benefits, every Illinois household shoulders more than $40,000 of debt," estimated Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford.

"Even credit-worthy communities inside the state of Illinois have to pay more to borrow money than other communities in other states that are better run," Kirk said. "This is a drag on all municipal finances in Illinois, not just our poorly run state.

You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6607/illinois-california-debt-being-watched-by-feds/

Obituaries

Wayne L. Douglass, 63, of Huntley died Tuesday  at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove. A memorial gathering will be held from 11 am to 1 pm Saturday at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service, Huntley. 

Douglass was born Oct. 7, 1947, in Woodstock, the son of Leslie H. and Anne (Jirek) Douglass. He married Marg R. Pedigo Dec. 27, 1969. He is survived by his wife of Huntley; son, Michael (Deanna) Douglass of Gilberts; grandchildren, Darcy and Darien;  sisters, Judy (Cliff) Medburg of Seminole, FL, and Mae Porep of Elkhorn, WI, and his brothers, Don (Harriett) Douglass of Toms River, NJ, and Dick (Dorie) Fisher of Roscoe. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Bill Kolls and Eugene Gerloff.

The family requests no flowers.

Joseph E. Purtell, 66 of Huntley, died  Thursday at his home. Visitation will be this coming Thursday from 3 to 9 pm  at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10:30 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley.  Burial will be in Windridge Cemetery.

Purtell was born October 20, 1944, in Milwaukee, the son of Edwin Thomas and Mary (Hanrahan) Purtell. March 10, 1990, he married Jill Barile. He is survived by his wife of Huntley; children, Kelly Rodriguez of Huntley, Kerri (James) Genung of Carbondale, CO, Patrick (Elexa) Purtell of Erie, CO, and Auburie Purtell of Huntley and grandchildren, Sean, Elizabeth, Ryan, Sophie and James.  He is also survived by his sister, Mary Roubik and his brother, James (Leslie) Purtell. He was preceded in death by his parents.

McHenry County Indictments

A McHenry County Grand Jury returned indictments this week against the following individuals:
The charges against these defendants are merely allegations against them. The defendants are presumed innocent of any crime until proven guilty in court.

RICHARD P. BASIAK, DOB:  12/25/84, 11891 COVEY, HUNTLEY. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.--Huntley PD

TIMOTHY J. HIRCHERT, DOB:  04/27/90, 3 HOLLYHOCK COURT, LAKE IN THE HILLS. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC NEEDLE AND SYRINGE.--North Central Narcotics Task Force

KELLY S. SINENI, DOB:  07/02/70, 490 TENBY WAY, ALGONQUIN. ANTHONY C. SINENI, DOB:  05/22/72, 490 TENBY WAY ALGONQUIN. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL PRODUCTION OF CANNABIS SATIVA PLANTS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA--North Central Narcotics Task Force
  
BARBARA E. MOLINE, DOB:  03/03/62, 7237 STATE PARK ROAD  APT #1, SPRING GROVE. RETAIL THEFT.--Woodstock PD

EDWARD M. LEWANDOWSKI, DOB:  04/11/63, 14471 KISHWAUKEE VALLEY ROAD, WOODSTOCK. AGGRAVATED BATTERY.--Woodstock PD
  
ANTHONY J. CONCIALDI, DOB:  10/18/61, 4102 HARVARD CIRCLE, CRYSTAL LAKE. DECEPTIVE PRACTICE.--Cary PD
  
STEVEN A. CIARICO, DOB:  01/14/70, 74 LINDEN, CARY. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, DOMESTIC BATTERY(2CTS), UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH THE REPORTING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.--Cary PD
  
ERIN K. JERNEY, DOB:  05/30/89, 2714 CRYSTAL WAY, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A HYPODERMIC SYRINGE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--Island Lake PD
  
KELLY TRZNADEL, DOB:  12/11/61, 406 NORTH HILL ROAD, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
      
MICHAEL S. RHOTON, DOB:  10/11/62, 213 N. KENT ROAD, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD
  
GEOFFREY S.E. MALINSKI, DOB:  02/26/86, 1109 PONTIAC, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD

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
July 15
0714 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Two vehicles scratched.
0725 HRS FRANK RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Delayed. Bicyclist struck by vehicle.
0805 HRS 200 BLOCK OF N. ANNANDALE DR. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Stereo and GPS taken from locked vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1542 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1757 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1809 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF CHANTILLY CIRCLE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Items removed from unsecured vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1905 HRS 100 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASS. DOMESTIC. Son vs. Father and mother. Verbal argument only. 3 priors. Male, 15 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1930 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WINDERMERE WAY. FOUND ARTICLE. Numerous items located. Entered into evidence.

Huntley Cites Marlowe Feed Demolition Company

Time ran out Wednesday on the demolition permit for Huntley's landmark Marlowe Feed store so Thursday after an inspection Village officials cited a Kansas salvage company for two violations of village ordinances.  Each carries fines of from $50 to $500 per day.

A lot of residents were unhappy when plans to raze the Marlowe building, part of which dated from 1867, were revealed in December.  They took some comfort in the promise of salvage company , Renewable Resources, that it would recycle the building's old-growth wood rather than truck it off to a landfill. Company owner Elmer West told the Huntley Board the project would only take three or four months and leave behind "a clean site".

Six months later a wall's still standing, the building foundations, still in place, are full of debris and the surrounding area's been turned into an impromptu lumber yard including logs from another demolition near St. Charles.  The ordinance violations are for the debris and possible danger to lumber yard patrons.  The basic problem with the Marlowe demolition according to Village Manager Dave Johnson Thursday is, "It's there and it's not supposed to be there."

When officials told the recycler to get a move on three weeks ago West said he'd hoped the Village would cut him a little slack for being a good citizen.  "I've given away a ton of free wood and bricks to everyone who's asked for them," he said.

In the pic:  Time's up for demolition at Huntley's Marlowe Feed store on Route 47.  Now a violation clock with daily fines is ticking on the recycling company that was supposed to do the job.

Marlowe Mementos Encourage Huntley Historical Society Members

Memento bricks dating from just after the Civil War are an enticement to join the Huntley Historical Society holding its first general meeting and election next Saturday, July 23,  at American Community Bank in Huntley.  The 10 am event's entitled "Huntley's Rendezvous With History" and includes a lecture on "McHenry County Before the Civil War", a display of Huntley artifacts and a presentation of pre-Civil War dress.

The first 100 charter members to join the Huntley Historical Society will receive an 1867 brick salvaged from the Marlowe Feed store, stenciled with a depiction of the whilom Huntley landmark.

Grafton Road District Drops Rent On Township Offices

The Grafton Township Board Thursday agreed to a change in its lease with the Township Road District so rent on the Township Offices will be about $800 less each month.  Supervisor Linda Moore argued the Road District ought to pay off the loan on the offices instead.

The Township leases its offices from the Road District in the complicated aftermath of a failed $3.5 million plan to build new ones on Haligus Road.  The Township's, in effect, buying the offices back on a three-year installment plan and since it's already paid off $400,000 of the $700,000 Road District loan on the building,  the bank's not charging as much interest as it did.  Commissioner Jack Freund volunteered to drop the Township's interest-equivalent rent from $2,650 per month to $1,850 but Moore claimed the Freund had plenty of money to pay the loan off right now. "Why is he not doing so?" she asked.

Because, said Freund, the cash balances she was looking at are already spoken for to pay for a lot of road work the District's done or about to do this summer.

Moore maintained there was still plenty of money.  That got Road District Attorney Pat Coen about as hot under the collar as he ever lets show. He said, "I would dispute there's $300,000 squirreled away in the Road District Budget."

Moore also tried to stymie a plan to put new ventilation windows in the stifling Assessor's office. Bill Ottley claims the place is so hot his computers are on the brink of meltdown and came up with an $8,000 quote for openable windows to help.  That's under the $20,000 threshold for projects to require bids but Moore said her offices need remodeling, too, and both jobs ought to be combined lest they violate a recent court ruling about splitting projects to avoid the bidding requirement.  Anyway, she said, she wasn't sure Ottley's window installers would be paid prevailing wages.  "I don't want to have trouble with unions," she said.

Trustee Betty Zirk offered a simple rejoinder:  "Baloney" she said.

Trustee Barb Murphy tried to pass a measure to stop Moore from requiring a 10-day wait for new Senior Bus riders while she processed application forms.  Moore said trustees couldn't do that. "As the CEO (of the Township) I have the right to operate the day-to-day functions," she warned.

Murphy replied, "In the six years (the Senior Bus has been operating) I've never had so many people come to me and complain."

"There's been no decrease in ridership," Moore replied.

"I'm withdrawing my motion," said Murphy.  "It won't do a bit of good."

In other action, or inaction, the Board refused to approve roughly $9,000 in legal bills for  John Nelson who's suing the rest of the Board for Moore. Trustees claimed his $250 per hour rate was too high.  Moore asked how trustees could challenge bills for her personal attorney.  "Because we're paying for them," replied Trustee Rob LaPorta.

In the pic:  Grafton Road District Attorney Pat Coen and Commissioner Jack Freund.

Huntley's Miss Illinois At Centegra Health Fest Saturday

Huntley's Hannah Smith, newly-crowned Miss Illinois, will make a special appearance at the third annual Centegra Family Health Fest in Huntley Saturday. Centegra Health System and Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center are Smith's exclusive wellness, health and fitness sponsors as she competes in the Miss America pageant.

Smith will meet and greet folks at Saturday's Health Fest from 11 am to 2 pm. Dress-up tiaras like the crown she won three weeks ago will go to the first 200 children to greet her. Centegra will conduct reduced-price sports physicals by appointment during the Family Health Fest Saturday.  Other activities will include Safe Kids Child ID enrollment, a rock climbing wall, the Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center fitness challenge and bike helmet fittings free to the first 400 children in line.

Lawmakers: Gaming Head Needs To Regulate, Not Preach

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
One man is stopping all gaming expansion in Illinois, despite two laws approved by the General Assembly, say a growing number of lawmakers. The human roadblock is Aaron Jaffee, chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board.

"We have a Gaming Board that is clearly anti-gaming," said State Sen. Terry Link, D-Waukegan, pointing  to Jaffee's criticism of legislation allowing five new casinos in the state and the slow roll-out of video gambling that was passed back in 2009

But Jaffee said he is doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing. "I'm not pushing for anybody or anything" Jaffee said, claiming the casino expansion plan does not include enough oversight nor enough money to regulate 15 casinos in total and a slew of new slot machines at Illinois' racetracks. Jaffee calls the plan "garbage."

State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, said he respects Jaffee, who served as a state lawmaker for 14 years and a Cook County judge for another 20. But Lang said Jaffee is over-stepping his bounds and speaking out of turn. "He is neither, today, a legislator nor is he a judge. He is a regulator," said Lang. "And while regulators may have their own personal thoughts about legislation, it is not up to regulators to make comments about them."

Jaffee said Lang, Link and other critics in the statehouse have questions about their own fairness to answer. "I don't know whether they're acting as legislators, or they're acting as lobbyists," said Jaffee.

Jaffee has been serving on the Gaming Board since 2005. He was appointed by by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and his term was expected to expire in 2007. Jaffe, and in fact the entire Gaming Board, are hold-overs who have not been reappointed by the governor. The governor's office Thursday would not say when, or if, there are plans to renominate Jaffee to the Gaming Board.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6604/lawmakers-jaffee-needs-to-regulate-not-preach/

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
July 14
2021 HRS SEMINOLE TRAIL & WILLOW ST. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. ROSSPANK, KRISTOPHER J., M/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 763 WILLOW ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Criminal Damage to Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
2239 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. SIN, SAMUEL, M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 1642 WARRINGTON LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County for Failure to Appear for Crimes against Person, No Valid Registration, No Valid Insurance. Bond Amount: $4,000 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
071311 @ 0904 HRS 800 BLOCK OF NAVAJO TRAIL. FOLLOW-UP ARREST: CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO RESIDENCE. UNGER, ALISHA L., F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 8716 CORAL RD., WONDER LAKE. CHARGE: Criminal Trespass to Residence. RELEASED ON BOND.
0022 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. DOMESTIC. Father vs. Daughter. Verbal only. No priors.
1616 HRS 3800 BLOCK OF BLACKBERRY DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. One vehicle was spray painted and another vehicle had tire slashed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1629 HRS 2300 BLOCK OF CLAREMONT LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 44 years of age, in need of medical attention. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
2022 HRS 3800 BLOCK OF BLACKBERRY DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. One vehicle was spray painted and another vehicle had tire slashed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
Algonquin
July 11
16:25pm Quinlan, Kyle C., DOB: 01/10/92, of 10619 Elizabeth Avenue, Huntley, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 08/31/11 in Algonquin.
July 12
12:49pm Liuzzi, Thomas L., DOB: 07/14/90, of 610 Gaslight Drive, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at 620 Gaslight.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 08/17/11 in McHenry County.
July 13
00:25am Niwelt, Aneta M., DOB: 02/21/92, of 632 Joseph Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Possession of Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  She was taken into custody at 630 Regal Drive.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 08/31/11 in Algonquin.
July 14
07:19am Giron, Guadalupe, DOB: 12/12/86, of 3S200 Twin Pines Drive, Warrenville, was Wanted on a Warrant out of DuPage County for Failure to Appear on a No Valid Driver’s License charge.  She was also charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Failure to Reduce Speed.  She was taken into custody at Route 62 and Harrison Street.  She was released after posting $800 On the DuPage County Warrant with a court date of 08/19/11 in DuPage and after posting $150 on the Algonquin charges with a court date of 08/24/11 in McHenry County.
July 15
02:09am A 16 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with Violation of Curfew and Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Aberdeen Drive.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 08/31/11 in Algonquin.

Power Restoration Trickier Than It Sounds

At midafternoon Wednesday ComEd reported it had restored power to almost 5,000 Lake in the Hills residents but still had 1,900 to go.  Monday's storm damage at Lincoln and Washington was an example of what's taking so long.

The storm knocked down branches and the branches pulled down power lines.  That didn't do the home transformers any good but the real problem was when the lines went down they wrecked the power poles, too.  Boring holes for new poles willy nilly is asking for trouble in a residential area, however, so before Com Ed could replace the pole LITH Public Works crews had to locate and mark water and gas mains.

ComEd's told LITH officials the company expects to have 90 percent of homes still without power hooked back up by midnight tonight with almost all the rest by noon Friday.

In the pic:  LITH Public Works' Karron Davis uses high-tech electronics and steel probe Wednesday to locate mains so efforts to restore power don't end up wrecking other utilities, too.

WIC Services To Leave Algonquin Township Location

The Algonquin Township Supervisor Dianne Klemm told trustees Wednesday McHenry County's WIC Maternal Child Health Services office will be leaving the township offices soon.  The WIC program will be adding an obstetrician and pediatrician so the service is being relocated to new federally-funded spots in McHenry and Crystal Lake, she said.

In other business, Road Commissioner Bob Miller told trustees the Township's newly-purchased bus has replaced the oldest deteriorating one in the Township's three-unit Senior Bus fleet and Klemm reported the Township 2010 audit's almost finished at a total cost of $4,400 for both the Township and the Road District.

In the pic:  Algonquin Township's latest Senior Bus is something of a bargain since it's actually a 2008 model with no miles on it.

Country For Kids At LITH Park Party Friday

The Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department second free Park Party of the summer Friday will feature Little Nashville a band playing "good rockin' music that teaches wholesome values" to kids.

Lead singer Sheriff SueAnn is said to be "completely infatuated with life" even though she's "seen heartache and disappointment".  Since the music's in the country vein, Rawhide the dog's probably seen his share of heartache and disappointment, too.

Parks and Rec suggests a picnic and a blanket to spread out for the performance at 11 behind LITH Village Hall. If the weather's dicey, just march into the Village Hall Multipurpose Room, instead. This event is part of Parks and Rec's Summer Button Program.

“Tip a Cop” Special Olympics Fundraiser Coming In Huntley

Members of the Huntley Police Department will serve as waiters Saturday from 10:30 am until 4 pm. at Culver’s of Huntley. in support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Illinois Special Olympics.  For the eighth year in a row Culver’s is hosting “Tip a Cop” in order to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Illinois. 

Illinois Torch Run merchandise--hats, shirts and pins--will also be available during the event to help provide year-round sports training and competition in 19 sports to nearly 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 4,000 young athletes ages 2-7.

In the pic: "Tip A Cop" is usually a big hit with Huntley kids.

Krueger Tourney Donation May Match Last Year's

Power outages delayed reporting Sunday's final round of the Lake in the Hills Youth Athletic Association's Brian Kreuger Tournament at Sunset Park.  LITHYAA President Mark Lonigro said, "the biggest champion was fight against cancer.  While we have not received final numbers from Famous Dave's BBQ, we hope to at least match the $10,000.00 donation to the Children's Brain Cancer Research Center located at Lutheran General Hospital, which was made last year."

Here are the championship results:

12u Champion - Genoa City defeated Crystal Lake
11u Champion - Palatine defeated Crystal Lake
10u Champion - Elmhurst defeated Lake Zurich
9u Champion - Crystal Lake defeated Lake in the Hills Black
8u Champion - Top Prospects (Bartlett) defeated Elmhurst

In the pic:  This was a double for Palatine in the 11u champ game Sunday.

Lawmakers Wait For Judge's Ruling On Pay Hikes

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois lawmakers are not backing Gov. Pat Quinn’s bid to cancel pay hikes for 30,000 unionized state employees — at least not yet. Legislators, many supporters of Quinn’s efforts, said they want a judge to decide the next move.

The legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules postponed a decision until at least August on whether to pay the promised 2-percent raises to thousands of workers including many in the state’s largest public employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Last week the union filed a lawsuit in U.S. Central District Court to force Quinn to fulfill the 2008 contract the union signed with then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich. That deal guaranteed a 15-percent pay increase for many AFSCME members over a four-year period. The latest pay hikes were supposed to take effect July 1.

State Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Galesburg, said legislative action is not needed at this point. "The fact that the courts are going to be involved and an arbitrator is involved, those are normal avenues when there is a dispute," said Moffitt.

State Sen. John Jones, R-Mount Vernon, wanted to pay the raises. "I'm from the old school. When you shake hands you have a contract, when you sign your name you have a contract. And it's a binding contract."

But state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said it wasn't lawmakers who signed the deal with AFSCME. "The majority in both the House and the Senate both approved a budget that clearly had personal service lines insufficient to pay these raises," he said.

Even though the governor did not sign the current contract with AFSCME, either, Quinn did agree to a 2009 deal with the union that guarantees Quinn cannot close state facilities or lay off union workers until next year. Lawmakers, particularly GOP legislators, have said the 2009 deal hamstrings Quinn as much as the raises promised in the 2008 contract.

Quinn has said Illinois simply does not have enough money to cover the $75 million in raises for 2011, but he blames lawmakers for not “fully funding” the pay hikes in the 2012 state budget.

You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6592/lawmakers-not-backing-quinns-halt-on-pay-hikes/

Obituaries

Janice W. Godber, 72 of Huntley, formerly of Naperville, died  at home, Wednesday. Visitation will be Sunday 5 to 8 pm at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley, and from 9:30 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley, until 10:30 when a funeral Mass will be celebrated. Burial will be in Huntley Cemetery.

Godber was born December 28, 1938, in Chicago, the daughter of John and Melania (Machasick) Liptak. She is survived by her children, Cynthia Gwen McDonald of Huntley and Stephen Charles Godber and his wife Lien ThanhThi-Dang of Orange County, CA, and her grandchildren, Daniel Ryan McDonald, Tarra Mel McDonald, Jennifer Han Nguyen, Cheryl Ha Godber and Marie Thy Godber. She was preceded in death by her daughter,Cheryl Godber and her sister, Mela Wilson.

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
July 13
1846 HRS GENEVA LN. & GENEVA CT. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL/ACCIDENT ROMANIUK, EDWARD P., M/W 46 YEARS OF AGE, 3 GENEVA CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage, and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1842 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. FOLLOW UP ARREST: BATTERY HELLICH, JASON M., M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 319 COUNCIL TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
0111 HRS 211 N. RANDALL RD. (STEAK N SHAKE) BATTERY. Male vs. male. FAIL TO FILE.
0252 HRS 800 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. BATTERY. Male vs. male. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
0713 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET SKATE PARK) CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti on skate ramps.
1149 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. BURGLARY TO A MOTOR VEHICLE. A white purse was taken from a vehicle.
1338 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) FOUND ARTICLE. Several items found at Ribfest.
2119 HRS 100 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 13 years of age, with tingling in face and arms. No transport.

Power Restoration, Storm Cleanup Continues

ComEd reported late Tuesday that more than 900 service crews, over half from neighboring districts and states, were at work in Chicago's northern and western suburbs restoring power to more than 850,000 homes  dark after Monday's intense windstorms.

According to ComEd reports relayed by village officials late Tuesday,  power had been restored to about 4,000 Lake in the Hills homes while about 3,000 were still without power.  In Huntley power was back to almost 2,400 homes with only about 150 still to go.  Figures were unavailable for Algonquin where, according to reports, damage appeared lightest in the area.

ComEd said the outages were the worst in the area since the ice storm of 1998. This time, though, they were caused by a line of storms with high winds called a derecho.  They're a not uncommon feature of summer weather in the Midwest except this batch was a beast.

LITH appears to have taken the brunt of the storms locally, especially the east side of the village, according to Public Works Director Fred Mullard.  He told the LITH Village Board Tuesday the Springdale Farms area was hardest hit.  "The Presidents and Generals area, too," said Mullard.  "We lost a lot of trees."

Indeed, the spotty distribution of severe wind damage indicated the derecho may have spawned severe downburts or microbursts within itself to create the most severe effects.  LITH resident Mary Goldman on the way to her home above Haegel Beach when the winds struck reported "they came straight down".

Tuesday evening some traffic lights were still in either default  mode or just dead complicating the rush hour return.  ComEd was restoring power on a triage basis--first main transmission lines, then emergency and public safety locations, then commercial and large neighborhood areas, finally smaller neighborhoods.  Estimates vary on how long it will take to get power back to everyone.  The consensus seems to be by Friday.

Aside from traffic troubles,  the outage was most apparent at area libraries and businesses with free wireless Internet hotspots access.  Algonquin's Library's Harnish Main Branch computers were reportedly overwhelmed at one point Monday and parking in the lot Tuesday was a motorized game of musical chairs in late afternoon.

A nasty problem for people whose power wasn't restored within about 24 hours is going to be freezers full of now-room-temp food.  The Village of Huntley will have a dumpster for spoiled food behind the Public Works mechanic's garage on Donald Drive (at East Main Street) from Noon today through tomorrow. Algonquin, likewise, will have a dumpster today and tomorrow at the Public Works Facility (110 Meyer Drive) for formerly frozen food.

In the pics:  (above) LITH officials reported surprisingly little damage to homes from Monday's winds.  This home on Hilltop Drive wasn't so fortunate. (middle) Outages seemed capricious.  Tuesday morning the traffic light at Route 31 and Klassen was dead while the one 200 feet north at Virginia was working fine.  (below)  Huntley and Algonquin libaries (Harnish Main here) became work centers for residents who had laptops but no power.  McDonalds restaurants, Starbucks and Panera stores were similarly packed.

Record LITH Ribfest Helps Huntley Rotary, too.

LITH's Rockin' Ribfest probably drew a crowd of about 20,000 over the weekend according to Rotary Club Rib Boss Jim Wales who based the estimate on raw figures.  His day job is LITH Director of Police and Public Safety and for the last couple of days, "I've been kind of busy," he said.

The record attendance at Ribfest put on by LITH's Rotary was good news for Huntley's Rotary Club, too.  They ran the roast corn concession and even netting out the cost of the corn roaster rental, "We raised about twice as much money as we ever have before," said Rotarian Jim Vaccaro.

In the pic: Huntley's Nick Lykins served up an ear of roasted corn to Rose Arroyo from McHenry at the weekend's Ribfest. 

D300 To Continue Free Preschool Program

District 300's free preschool program received a reprieve of sorts Tuesday.  New Superintendent Michael Bregy was going to recommend continuing the $1.38 million program even though the State still owes the District 60 percent of its cost from last school year and funding for the coming year looked shaky.  However, Tuesday evening Bregy told the D300 School Board the State came through with a commitment to pay for the coming year, too.

The Board approved continuing the program and beginning to call back about a dozen preschool teachers who'd been laid off in case it had to be canceled.  The program has around 400 enrolees, most attending free due to state and federal requirements.  Bregy said about 100 students pay to attend.

In the pic:  The downside of a "paperless" school board is passing around a laptop when it contains the only copy of Board resolutions like the ones to continue D300's Preschool For All program.   President Anne Miller, left, and Secretary Karen Roeckner.

Committee OK's Mileage Money, Examines D158 Energy Savings Deal

The McHenry County Board's Finance and Audit Committee OK'ed raising reimbursement four cents per mile for using personal cars for County business Tuesday.  "We don't have to do this," said Vice Chairman Tina Hill, but the group did to put the County in line with the new IRS allowance of 55 cents.

District 158 school officials thought they were going to meet with the Committee to explore financing about $300 million in energy-saving upgrades  with McHenry County's allotment of QECB bonds, part of the federal stimulus package whose issuing authority runs out at the end of this year.   District CFO Mark Altmayer figured the bonds might save the District about $270,000 in interest over the next 10 years.   Plans weren't firm enough yet to place before Finance and Audit so the group tried to work out more details with County administrators.

Illinois High Court OK's Road Funding

By Benjamin Yount,Illinois Statehouse News
The Illinois Supreme Court’s decision Monday decision is paving the way for billions of dollars in statewide road construction projects and the thousands of jobs they will produce. The state’s high court ruling in Wirtz vs. Illinois, ratified the constitutionality of Illinois’ $31 billion road, bridge and school building plan.

W. Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz, president of Wirtz Beverage of Illinois LLC, the state’s largest liquor distributor, said in his lawsuit that because lawmakers paid for the capital projects with revenue from new taxes on liquor, wine and beer as well as new driving and legalized video poker fees, the legislation was not focused on a single subject. Justice Anne Burke wrote in the court’s opinion: “The various provisions have a natural and logical connection.” She added that the lawsuit did not have the “smoking gun” that would have made the 2009 construction legislation unconstitutional. The ruling allows 52,000 people to continue working on construction project this summer, Quinn said, in a news conference Monday.

Tom Villanova, president of the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council, which represents thousands of construction workers in and around Chicago, said a different ruling could have halted billions of dollars in construction projects under way in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Among those projects are Huntley's Route 47 widening and Algonquin's Route 31 bypass.

The high court’s ruling not only affects construction projects, it allows Illinois to use liquor tax revenue that was being held as the legal challenge made its way through the courts. “We had over $100 million that was held in escrow,” said Quinn. “That money now will be freed up. We hope very quickly.” The governor did not specify how that money would be spent,though.

Funding for construction projects should never have been in danger in the first place, said State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock. Franks, said lawmakers and the governor took a risk by lumping so many different revenue streams into a single law. “I don’t think we should have ever been in this position,” said Franks. “I think we should have passed a much cleaner version right from the start, instead of being in a position that we might have lost the entire plan.”

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6576/illinois-high-court-oks-road-plan/

Obituaries

John Dunn Ratcliffe, 60, died in Clearwater, FL, June 30. A Memorial Gathering will be held  Saturday from 1 to 3 pm at the Talamore Clubhouse Huntley, with a service at 2 pm. The DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service of Huntley is in charge of the arrangements.

Known by many as Jack, Jackie or JR, Ratclife was born December 24, 1950, to Doris M. and George W. Ratcliffe.  He is survived by his brother Tod W. (Cindy) Ratcliffe, of Huntley; sisters Doreen C. (Dean) Sampler, of Lake Grove, NY, and Gayle H. (John) Kulick, of Shushon, NY, and his mother, Doris M. Ratcliffe of Huntley.

Stefan Kleiner, 68, of Algonquin died Friday at Sherman Hospital. A private memorial will be held at a later date. He is survived by his spouse, Marge, his sons David and Paul, and grandchildren McKenna, Jake, and Leo. The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation.

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
July 12
2039 HRS 400 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. BAGHDADI, YACOUP K., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 177 UTEG ST. APT 207C, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGE: Wanted on Warrant out of McHenry County for Traffic Violation, bond set at $2,000 10% applies. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0927 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Satellite radio removed from vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1330 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) FOUND PROPERTY. Trailer and golf cart located in park. TURNED OVER TO OWNER.
1355 HRS 300 BLOCK OF EAST OAK ST. THEFT. A ring and a cell phone were taken. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1407 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only. One prior.
1522 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD. (WALGREENS) REPORT FOR INSURANCE. Several cans of baby formula were missing.
1819 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GENEVA CT. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. One prior.
2302 HRS 10 BLOCK OF CLARK AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 64 years of age, possible stroke. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
July 11
0337 HRS MILLER RD. & LAKEWOOD RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. BIRCH, STEVEN M., M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 1310 TUNBRIDGE TRAIL, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Use. RELEASED ON BOND.
1626 HRS 1181 HEAVENS GATE (ECHO PARK). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT TO PROPERTY. JUVENILE, F/W 13 YEARS OF AGE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Criminal Defacement to State Supported Property. RELEASED TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, F/W 13 YEARS OF AGE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Criminal Defacement to State Supported Property. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0300 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Apartment with water damage. Report for insurance.
0849 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF ADAMS ST. ASSIST TO FIRE DEPARTMENT. Furnace was on fire.
0910 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Report taken for damaged property at Rib fest.
0912 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LINDEN ST. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Tree fell on residence. Report for insurance.
0925 HRS 200 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Tree fell due to weather and damaged rear deck.
1023 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Ice truck struck by a fallen telephone pole.
1032 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. BATTERY. Male subject was pushed to the ground. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1522 HRS HEAVENS GATE & MILLER RD. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs son. UNFOUNDED.
1826 HRS RANDALL RD. & POLARIS DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1853 HRS 00 BLOCK OF SUGAR CREEK CT. BATTERY. Male subject vs. male subject. FAIL TO FILE.
2315 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS PD) ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assist to Kane County Probation.
Algonquin
July 8
19:21pm Passman, Clyde A., DOB: 10/31/62, of 5219 Greenshire, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 08/17/11 in McHenry County.
July 9
00:15am Sorenson, Eric S., DOB: 11/30/82, of 111 Jefferson Street Apt #B, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for Failure to Appear on a DWLR charge.  He was taken into custody at 1205 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake.  He was released after posting $500 with a court date of 07/28/11 in Kane County.
17:40pm Burau, Jacob C., DOB: 12/04/89, of 1062 Viewpoint Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Oakleaf Road.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 08/10/11 in McHenry County.
July 10
01:20am Barruzza, Mathew R., DOB: 03/26/93, of 708 Pimlico Parkway, Sleepy Hollow, was charged with Possession of Cannabis and  Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was taken into custody at LifeTime Fitness, 451 Rolls Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 08/17/11 in McHenry County.
July 11
02:11am Delaney, Shaughn P., DOB: 11/06/91, of 2020 Broadsmore Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Aggravated battery and Trespass.  He was taken into custody at LifeTime Fitness, 451 Rolls Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
Huntley
July 4
Amber Alexis Cechini, age 20, of 200 Havenwood Dr., Round Lake, was arrested for driving while license suspended. Ms.Cechini posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 19, 2011.
July 5
A burglary report was taken at a residence in the 13700 block of White Oak Rd. Appliances were stolen from the residence.
Arthur M. Harris, age 49, of 833 N. First St., Elburn, was arrested for driving while license revoked. Mr. Harris posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 19, 2011.
A criminal damage to vehicle report was taken in the 9400 block of Rainsford Dr. The victim states that the tail light on his vehicle was broken.
July 6
Asama L. Itseumah, age 20, of 9924 Cummins St., Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding DeKalb County warrant for failure to appear in court. Mr. Itseumah posted bond and was released with a DeKalb County court date of August 4, 2011.
July 7
Nicole C. Simons, age 23, of 288 Villa St. #4, Elgin, was arrested for retail theft. Ms. Simmons was transported to Kane County jail to await bond call.
July 8
A theft report was taken in the 10000 block of Thornton Way. The victim states that wind chimes were stolen from her front porch.
July 9
Timothy W. Graves, age 35, of 10880 Grand Canyon, Huntley, was arrested for DUI and was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Mr. Graves posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 12, 2011.
Stephen B. Spear, age 27, of 11407 Edinburgh Lane, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for no valid registration, violation of classification and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Mr. Spear posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 19, 2011.
Filberto Flores, age 24, of 11711 Kenneth St, Huntley, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and was cited for registration suspended for no insurance. Mr. Flores posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 26, 2011.
July 10
John J. Lamancusa, age 58, of 90 Silvertree Circle, Cary, was arrested for battery and 2 counts of reckless conduct. In the same incident Sean J. Teifeld, age 22, of 11745 Woodcreek Dr., Huntley, was arrested for 2 counts of reckless conduct. Both subjects posted bond and were released with a McHenry County court date of August 19, 2011.
Andrew Lee Zick, age 29, of 10618 Michael St, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and possession of drug paraphernalia and was cited for disregarding a stop sign. Mr. Zick posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 19, 2011.

Publisher's Message To Readers

My strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure.  However, that's no substitute for electricity for the FEN PC and cable modem.  That's been missing for 28 hours so far at the FEN office and, worse, the FEN backup location.
Back with updates when again possible.

Severe Weather Warning For McHenry and Kane Area This Morning

Rough weather's heading this way this morning, according to the National Weather Service which issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the area at 7:03 am.

The Weather service said a line of severe storms with hail the size of a quarter were battering Winnebago County and heading toward McHenry and Kane counties. Meteorologists said the storms could bring winds in the 60 to 70 mph range, large hail and heavy rains up to an inch as they move through the area.  Forecasters estimated they'd be pretty much gone by Noon, though.

Community Volunteers Make Ribfest Top Attraction

Grillers and 'cuers began folding their pitches Sunday evening as Lake the the Hills Sixth Rockin' Ribfest drew to a close.  "It's a nice little hometown festival," said Pigfoot BBQ Company boss Keith Gift who's seen a lot of them.  "You can see everyone enjoyed it."  Pigfoot, by the way, won the popularity contest at Ribfest this year.

Sunday's attendance matched last year's, according to sponsoring Rotary spokesmen, so all four days together must have set a new attendance record but by what margin won't be apparent until today or tomorrow. Coordinator Steve Swanson said a lot of the credit belonged to Rockin' Ribfest community volunteers.  LITH Rotary has 26 members who organized the event.  Swanson said it was 750 volunteers, though, who made it happen.  "Volunteers are the lifeblood of Ribfest."

Gail Kalinsky was helping out in the beverage tent.  "I had fun last year (at a local vendor's booth) so I did it this year for the fun and to boost the club."

Garrett Byrne ended up working the ticket booth.  "It was a lot of fun," he said.  "I'll be back to help next year."

In the pic:  (above) Pigfoot BBQ Company began packing for a Jazz Ribfest next week in Columbus, OH. (below)  Among the hundreds of volunteers who made Ribest happen this year were 11 year-olds Nathan Ludtke and Nick Roche and 12 year-old Aidan Laramie. 

Nature Versus Nurture--And Neighbors

"This is the height of the grass and weed complaint season," Community Development Director Russ Farnum told the Algonquin Board last week adding that an online complaint system for that and other village service requests has speeded up Village responses.

Lately grass gripes mostly involve foreclosed homes, relatively easy to resolve, Farnum has said, after Village staff manage to figure out which bank actually owns the property.  "We call them and usually they start taking care of it," he said.

Sometimes things aren't so cut (!) and tried, though.  For instance, a complaint Wednesday morning about a home in the Gaslight subdivision.  "Weeds two-feet high," said Farnum.

FEN beat the village inspector there to find a backyard filled, beyond a doubt, with vegetation.  The question was whether the stuff was weeds.  "This is my native planting area," said homeowner John McCreadie.

"I've wrecked two lawnmowers trying to mow (the 40 degree slope behind his home)," said McCreadie.  "Then I thought I'll plant some native grass and flowers and turn it into a sanctuary like the one down the block (in Gaslight Park)."

Assistant Village Administrator Mike Kumbera said Algonquin's complaint system doesn't spit out an automatic code violation notice.  "Inspectors will go by and talk to the property owner if he's home first," he said.  "If it looks like a violation there's an opportunity to correct it and then if it isn't fixed it goes to the Administrative Judge so there's still a chance if he can convince him."

Gardener/Author E. J. Salisbury once said, "What we call a weed is in fact merely a plant growing where we do not want it."  Maybe that has to be amended to include "or where you're neighbors don't want it, either."  McCreadie's happy with his "weeds'" location.

"Now I've got deer and birds and butterflies in my backyard," he said.  "It's kind of peaceful."

In the pic: John McCreadie's do-it-yourself butterfly sanctuary.

Monarchs Late To Chesak Martin Butterfly Garden

The Chesak Martin PTA Butterfly Garden (between Chesak and Martin elementary schools) was more of an attraction for dragonflies than butterflies this weekend as head gardener Bill Heiden led guided tours of the lepidopteral-shaped area of native plantings.

Heiden said Monarch butterflies are a little late this year. "I've only seen one or two," he said speculating the cool spring has delayed their visit to the garden which includes a lot of common milkweed. "The Monarchs lay their eggs on the milkeweed and the catepillars eat the milky sap which makes them taste bad so birds won't eat them."

The Chesak Martin Butterfly Garden's open all the time whether Heiden's tending it or not.

In the pic: That's common milkweed in the foreground as gardener Bill Heiden talks about native plants. The butterfly garden also holds bluestem grass, prairie rose, prairie iris, cup plants and other native vegetation butterflies and similar insects like.

Medicaid Reduction Means 5-Month Payment Delay

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
July is a busy month for the Quad Cities’ Trinity Regional Health System when the hospital offers multiple sclerosis support groups and classes in child birth and even Pilates. But Trinity’s Chief Financial Officer Greg Pagliuzza said the Moline hospital may have to cut back its support groups and classes because of dwindling state funding due to Gov. Pat Quinn’s order to spend $276 million less on Medicaid.

Many of Illinois’ hundreds of other hospital were reluctant to comment about changes in Medicaid payments. The hospitals contacted by Illinois Statehouse News did not want to speak on the record. Illinois’ safety-net hospitals — those that have a disproportionate number of Medicaid patients — “will be protected,” said Kelly Kraft, Quinn’s budget spokeswoman.

Danny Chun, spokesman for the Illinois Hospital Association, which lobbies for hospitals in the state, said the hospitals gave their blessing to a longer payment cycle because the alternative was “unacceptable.” Illinois has not had a Medicaid reimbursement rate increase since 1995, said Chun.

Pagliuzza said Trinity Regional Medical System experiences the stark differences in reimbursement rates, because it has hospitals on both the Illinois and Iowa sides of the Mississippi River. Iowa “is more timely. I think they pay within a normal 60 days,” said Pagliuzza. “But the payment rates are much closer to our costs. (In Illinois) we get about 70 cents on the dollar. On the Iowa side, it’s more like 95 cents,” he said.

Illinois had been receiving more federal money for Medicaid, but the enhanced federal match ended July 1, when the federal stimulus expired. “We were getting over 60 percent reimbursement,” said Mike Claffey a spokesman for the state Department of Healthcare and Family Services. “But now we’re back down to the standard 50 percent."

“No one should be surprised by the reality of the Medicaid system in Illinois,” said Claffey.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6561/quinns-medicaid-reduction-means-5-month-payment-delay/

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
July 10
1626 HRS 10 BLOCK OF SUGAR CREEK CT. VIOLATION OF A NO CONTACT ORDER MUSCAT, JENNIFER J., F/W 37 YEARS OF AGE, 11 SUGAR CREEK CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Violation of a No Contact Order. RELEASED ON BOND.
0038 HRS 10 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 21 years of age, took too much medication. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0849 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ROYAL OAK LN. BURGLARY FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE. carton of cigarettes and a debit card was taken from an unsecured vehicle.
0950 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ROYAL OAK LN. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Vehicle was entered overnight. Nothing was removed.
1130 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF BRITTANY BEND. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 65 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1318 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF ROYAL OAK LN. BURGLARY TO RESIDENCE. Forced entry to residence, jewelry and collectible coins were taken.
1400 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ROYAL OAK LN. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO MOTOR VEHICLE. The vehicle was entered and nothing was taken.
1456 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) ASSIST AMBULANCE. Juvenile male fell off his bike. No transport.
1928 HRS ALBRECHT RD. & MILLER RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Female, 20 years of age, was transported to  Woodstock Hospital.
1932 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2215 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. FOUND ARTICLE. Vehicle keys. Returned to the owner.
Algonquin
delayed--power outage

Ribfest Headed For LITH Record

Rockin' Ribfest Chairman Jim Wales was optimistic Saturday night that this year's event would be a Lake in the Hills record-breaker.

"Obviously I don't have this evening's figures yet but Thursday and Friday were 25 percent higher than last year," said Wales.  "(Saturday) is the make or break day. If it keeps up tonight this is going to be absolutely phenomenal."

Rockin' Ribfest is the primary fundraiser for the Lake in the Hills Rotary club's community service programs throughout the rest of the year.  Last year about 17,000 people turned out for ribs and 'cue and rock and roll.  If trends continue, this year's tally could be above 21,000.  That's even higher than Rotarians hoped.

"The number of people coming out is very heavy," said Wales.  "Everybody's having fun.  I've had people come to me and say, 'I've been here every day.'" 

LITH Street Market Holds First Day On Route 31

Crystal Lake developer Tony Sarillo claimed "over 100 vendors" filled the tents Saturday at the Grand Opening of the Lake in the Hills Street Market on Route 31 south of Crystal Lake's WalMart.

Huntley resident Carol Grasser walking from the spacious parking area told companion Bill Conner browsing the vendor's wares would be a lot of fun.  Conner was dubious.  "I've been to flea markets before," he groused. "They're all alike."  Then an antiquey-looking trunk caught his eye and Grasser had to hurry to catch up with him.

Sarillo said the opening was so encouraging he's thinking about renting a warehouse to keep things going in the winter.  Sarillo said his Street market will run each Saturday and Sunday until October.

In the pic:  Ray and Lindsay Pederson, just moved to Cary from Palatine, chat with Stockton vendor Frank Bellucci at the Lake in the Hills Street Market.

D300 To Gather School Supplies For Homeless Kids

This coming Saturday will be "Stuff the Bus" day at Algonquin's WalMart to collect donations of school supplies so more than 250 homeless students in D300 get off to a good start in the 2011-2012 school year. Families, staff members, and community volunteers will be there from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, July 16.

Needed are folders, notebooks, looseleaf filler paper, pencils, pens, scissors, glue sticks, rulers, crayons and (gender neutral) backpacks.  D300 spokesman Allison Strupek said all that's worth about $27.50.  If shopping for all that stuff sounds daunting, donors can write a check to to CUSD300 (memo line "SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR HOMELESS") at D300 Education Services, 300 Cleveland Ave., Carpentersville IL 60110. Supply donations may also be dropped off anytime at the front desk of the D300 Central Office.

In the pic: Stuffing the D300 bus for homeless kids last year.

New Speed Limit, Night Detours Set On Rakow To 31

A new 35 MPH construction speed limit zone for Rakow/Randall Road went up Friday, expected to be in effect until work's done next Fall.  Construction speed limit signs are supposed to be posted marking the zone that runs from Rakow Road/Randall Road between Ackman Road and Route 31. The minimum fine speeding in the construction zone will be $375.

This is the first year of the two-year project to widen Rakow/Randall Road between Ackman Road and Illinois Route 31. The project is scheduled to be substantially complete in the Fall of 2012, and will widen and reconstruct Rakow/Randall Road from two lanes to six lanes between Ackman and Pyott Road, and from two lanes to four lanes between Pyott Road and IL 31. The project will also include the construction of dual left turn lanes at key intersections.

 To make up for utility relocations and wet weather delays, nightly closures between Virginia Road and Route 31 are planned starting Monday  The closures will run rom 8 pm  to 6 am the following morning Monday through Friday. The marked detour route will be Virginia Road at Rakow Road southeast to IL 31 and north on IL 31 to Rakow Road. Access to all businesses will be maintained according to MCDOT officials.

Ribfest Carshow Outlines U.S. Auto History

The Lake in the Hills Rockin Ribfest Carshow was heavy on late model Mustangs Saturday but scattered among the pony cars was a history of what happened to America's love affair with Detroit.

"Longer, lower, wider."  Algonquinite Ron Kastner's '61 Bonneville stretched "just short of 18 feet."

Under two grand and delivering 30 mpg, Volkswagen "Beetles" like this '66 owned by Marengo resident Tyler Wilson opened the way for a later Japanese onslaught.

If some is good, more is better and too much is just enough was Detroit's answer, for instance, in this Dodge Daytona homologation to win NASCAR.

Meanwhile the Feds were trying to clean up the atmosphere. LITH resident Steve Dickerson's 79 Trans Am ought to carry a placard identifying it as "Smoggy and the Bandit".

Here's the latter day, some sort of captive import from Dodge.

Area Road Hopes Fade With GOP Transportation Proposal

Area hopes for a few truckloads of new federal road money suffered a setback late last week as
House Republicans proposed cutting federal spending on highways and transit by one third.

With $556 billion on the table under a White House plan, McHenry County officials courted Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) a couple of months ago in Rockford with accounts of the area's road problems and the County's cutting edge plans to solve them. Thursday, however, Mica unveiled his own proposal, a $230 billion, 6-year bill severely reducing federal spending so it matches actual tax receipts.

“This flawed plan would eliminate thousands of transportation jobs and be a major setback for our country’s critical network of roads, bridges, and railways,” said Senator Frank Lautenberg, a New Jersey Democrat, who warned nearly 500,000 jobs would be cut.

Most federal surface transportation funds come out of gas taxes producing about $35 billion a year in revenue.  That's not enough to cover current spending, though. That's been running over $50 billion per year.  Since the gas tax hasn't been raised for 18 years, the rest of money has been coming out of general funds.

The GOP only control the House, so the spotlight will probably shift this coming week to a $109 billion, 2-year bill expected from Senator Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA).  That bill would maintain funding at current levels plus inflation.  It would still tap general fund money but not as much, aiming to save $12 billion from “closing loopholes."  Even with more money than the Mica plan, though, it would still be a lot less than the White House wants to spend.

One change that might redound to the area's benefit, however, was Mica's focus on formula funds rather than competitive grants. When Congress first dedicated gas taxes to highways 55 years ago, money went to the states based on formulas about population, land area, and miles of road. Twenty or so years ago, however, Congress started shifting highway funding to "competitive grants". Supporters claimed it would make sure federal dollars went where they were most needed.  Detractors charge in practice it's just meant money goes where legislators have the most clout.

Also unsettled is how to parcel out transportation money between highways and mass and commercial transit.  Mica’s proposal doesn't say, but the White House version is heavy on funds for passenger rail projects.  Before 1982, 100 percent of federal gas taxes went to highways. Since then 20 percent of gas tax increases have been tagged for transit. Lately that's worked out to about a 15 percent slice of the national transportation pie.  Mass transit's most conspicuous locally by its absence so the way the split come out could make a difference in how much money drifts this way.

Obituaries

Joan M. Richert, 67, of Huntley died Friday at her home. A visitation will be Tuesday from 4 until 7:30 pm when a service will be held at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley.

Richert was born May 24, 1944, in Chicago, the daughter of Albert and Jean Carzoli. She married James Richert on May 22, 1964. She is survived by her husband of Huntley; her children, Kim Chmura and Michael (Lisa) Richert, both of Huntley and her grandchildren, Ryan, Erik, Hailey and Nick. She is also survived by her brothers, Robert and Daniel Carzoli. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Albert.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to American Lung Association.

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
July 9
1051 HRS 2400 BLOCK OF ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. HERNANDEZ, ROBERTO, M/W 42 YEARS OF AGE, 805 LONGWOOD DR., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving While License Revoked, Expired Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
1325 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HIAWATHA DR. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. GAPP, DAVID A., M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 1465 BRAEWOOD DR., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis More Than 2.5 grams, Disobeying a Stop Sign.
RELEASED ON BOND.
1603 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF ALCOHOL TO A MINOR. AYALA, JOSE G., M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 6N580 SYCAMORE AVE., ST. CHARLES. Charge: Unlawful Delivery of Alcohol to a Minor. RELEASED ON BOND.
BICHRI, HICHAM NMI, M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 1179 MOONSTONE RUN, LAKE IN THE HILLS. Charge: Illegal Possession of Alcohol by Minor. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
2125 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) BATTERY. JUVENILE, M/W 15 YEARS OF AGE. ALGONQUIN. Charges: Battery. RELEASED TO MOTHER.
0159 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. No priors.
0854 HRS 0 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. FOUND ARTICLE. Brass knuckles.
0909 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. TRESPASS TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Unlocked vehicle, unknown if anything missing
0921 HRS 10 BLOCK OF WRIGHT DR. LOST ARTICLE. License plate from a trailer. Entered into LEADS.
1228 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1930 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WHITE PINE CIRCLE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend v. girlfriend. Two priors. UNFOUNDED.
2057 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 57 years of age, fell and injured her knee. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2122 HRS ANNANDALE DR. & HASTINGS CT. ABANDONED VEHICLE. Vehicle was towed.