LITH franchise gives healthy food options to schools
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013
WWW.NWHERALD.COM
The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
Business, B4
75 CENTS
SEASONAL AILMENTS
BLACKHAWKS
Truth about spring allergies Planit Style, D1
Focused Crawford part of this year’s success Sports, C1
Group: End video gambling ban County Board will explore repealing measure to block gaming in unincorporated areas By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – A group of bar and restaurant owners are petitioning the McHenry County Board to lift its 3-yearold ban on video gambling in liquor establishments. Twenty-one businesses in
unincorporated areas sent a joint letter to board Chairwoman Tina Hill, R-Woodstock, and the Liquor and License Committee asking them to lift a ban narrowly approved on a 13-10 vote in December 2009. A resolution to repeal the ban has been drafted and could face a committee vote in April.
Locals
The letter states that the ban unfairly puts unincorporated businesses at a disadvantage because most municipalities in the county have allowed video gambling. Also, the authors state, the county is losing potential revenue – local governments get a 5 percent share of the net tax on video
take to
roads, rails
gambling. “Many neighboring communities have made the right choice to lift bans on video gaming, and we are left to suffer the bad economy and the competition of establishments in neighboring communities where gaming is permitted. Once we lose a customer and
that customer gets comfortable in another location that offers gaming – it’s hard, if not impossible, to get that customer back,” the letter states. The committee met Monday but tabled discussion on a repeal to its April meeting because two of the five members – Robert Nowak, R-Cary,
Many commuters head out of county for work
and Sue Draffkorn, R-Wonder Lake – were absent, committee Chairman Ken Koehler said. Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill in July 2009 allowing establishments that serve liquor to have up to five of the machines as a way to help pay for
See GAMBLING, page A5
Man faces charges in fatal crash Sept. incident killed child By SARAH SUTSCHEK ssutschek@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – Driving under the influence charges have been filed against a New Lenox man involved in a September crash that left a 4-yearold girl dead. Leonardo R. Martinez, 43, of 661 Edgewater Court, is charged with three separate counts of driving under the influence in connection with the Sept. 2 crash that killed Daniela F. Gomez. According to the criminal complaint, Martinez was under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine. Deputy Aimee Knop of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that the charges were issued after lab results came back.
Leonardo R. Martinez, 43, of New Lenox is charged with three separate counts of driving under the influence in connection with a Sept. 2 crash.
See FATAL, page A5 Photos by Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
Brendan Curran (center) of McHenry commutes Monday to his job at the Chicago Board of Trade on the Union Pacific Northwest Metra line. Curran has been commuting from McHenry County for the past 20 years. BELOW: Commuters wait for the train toward Chicago at the Crystal Lake Metra station. By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com CRYSTAL LAKE – Monday morning, like nearly every workday for the past 20 years, Brendan Curran drove from his McHenry home to Crystal Lake to catch the train downtown to his job at the Chicago Board of Trade. “It’s a lot easier than driving,” Curran, 40, said over the clanging of the approaching train. “I tried driving for about six months, and traffic is crazy. By the time you get home ... It’s so much easier
to just get on the train. It’s a no-brainer. You can sleep, eat, read, whatever you want to do.” Nearly two-thirds of workers who live in McHenry County leave the county to go to work each day, according to 2010 U.S. Census data. Although most of them are solo drivers, economic and population forecasts indicate that demand for the Metra will rise more than 60 percent by 2030 as job centers near Palatine, Barrington, Des Plaines,
GOP unveils gov’t funding measure At a glance
By ANDREW TAYLOR The Associated Press WASHINGTON – Republicans controlling the House moved Monday to give the Pentagon more money for military readiness while easing the pain felt by such agencies as the FBI and the Border Patrol from the across-the-board spending cuts that are just starting to take effect. The effort is part of a spending measure that would fund day-to-day federal operations
The measure would leave in place automatic cuts of 5 percent to domestic agencies and 7.8 percent to the Pentagon ordered by President Barack Obama.
See COMMUTERS, page A5 See FUNDING, page A5
LOCALLY SPEAKING Carol Larson
McHENRY
CRYSTAL LAKE
COUNCIL OKS FEE FOR FLEA MARKETS
CL CENTRAL BOYS TOUGH TO DEFEND
The City Council unanimously approved a measure requiring an annual $1,400 city license fee for flea markets at its meeting Monday night. The vote drew a sharp reaction from Jennifer Eckel, who runs Eckel’s McHenry Flea Market. “Congratulations, you got yourself another empty building,” she said.
Jacobs boys basketball coach Jim Hinkle lauded Crystal Lake Central for its 65-58 victory, but had one question: “Who the heck is this Vasquez guy? He got 13 in the first half.” Hinkle was talking about Tigers senior forward Jake Vanscoyoc, who usually guards the opponents leading scorer, but also is an adept scorer. For more, see page C1.
For more, see page B1.
Josh Peckler – For the Northwest Herald
CRYSTAL LAKE: Eight of nine MCC board hopefuls debate issues at election forum. Local&Region, B1
WEATHER HIGH
LOW
30 22 Complete forecast on A6
Where to find it Advice Business Buzz Classified Comics Local&Region
D2 B4-5 B6 D4-12 D3 B1-3
Lottery Obituaries Opinion Puzzles Planit Style Sports
Vol. 28, Issue 62
A2 B3 A4 D4 D1-2 C1-6