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THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2013 • NWHERALD.COM • 75 CENTS
Wonder Lake Fire Department saves dog in respiratory distress
Hebron leader pleads guilty to drug charge
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Jacobson keeping his office
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By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – Hebron’s village president pleaded guilty to cocaine charges but can remain in office. John G. Jacobson, 65, was charged in January with felony possession of a controlled substance and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance after police said about 3 grams of crack cocaine were found in his car. In a plea deal accepted Wednesday by McHenry County Judge Gordon Graham, Jacobson pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge of attempted possession of a controlled substance. In exchange for his guilty plea, the felony charges were dropped. Graham sentenced the village president to one year of nonreporting probation on the Class A misdemeanor. He also has to pay a $500 fine. Assistant State’s Attorney
Government too intrusive for some By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com As the news surrounding a former National Security Agency contractor plays out like a “Where’s Waldo” book, area politicos are concerned that perhaps the government has gone too far with some of its surveillance programs. Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden hopped from Hong Kong to Moscow more than a week ago as the U.S. government sought his extradition. He faces espionage and theft charges related to the release of government documents. The case is the latest in a series of leaks that have led to concerns over how much individual privacy, government secrecy and freedom have changed since the war on terror began. For Mike Bissett, head of the McHenry County Democratic Party, said the case has raised questions over the scope and methods being used to gather intelligence. He understands the need for secrecy but said there is still a need to keep the public informed. The question is how much of the surveillance is necessary and how much has been overreach, he said.
By STEPHEN Di BENEDETTO sdibenedetto@shawmedia.com The recent flooding in McHenry County has left nearly 100 households mostly in Crystal Lake and Cary scrambling for ways to repair their soaked homes and damaged possessions. Last week’s thunderstorms that dumped nearly a half of foot of rain throughout the area and swelled the banks of the Fox River wreaked havoc on numerous homes without flood insurance, predominantly in neighborhoods away from the river in Crystal Lake and Cary. David Christensen, the McHenry County Emergency Management director, said the county so far can’t meet the criteria for federal emergency assistance to help the
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MEGHAN SEYMOUR COMMITS TO NMU Cary-Grove’s Meghan Seymour liked NCAA Division II Northern Michigan University’s volleyball players after attending a camp there, and said she also felt comfortable with the roster she will join in 2014. Seymour, a two-year starter for the Trojans, committed to NMU last week and will sign her National Letter of Intent in November. For more, see page C1.
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Carlene Kay said that on Jan. 15, Jacobson made a substantial step in attempting to possess the drugs. Outside the courtroom, neither Jacobson nor his attorney, Mark Facchini, would comment. Under the Illinois Municipal Code, had Jacobson been found guilty of the felonies, he could not stay in office. Charges against Jacobson were pending during the April election when he took a surprise victory over longtime incumbent Frank Beatty. Jacobson earned 61 percent of the vote.
How to help Visit the McHenry County Community Foundation’s website, www.mccfdn.org, click “Donate online” to give or send cash or checks to the foundation’s office, 101 S. Benton St., Suite 10, Woodstock. For information, call the foundation at 815-338-4483.
Read more Residents along the 800 block of North Shore Drive in Crystal Lake are frustrated after the storms caused flooding. PAGE B1 affected homeowners. “Because we got so much rain so quickly, they got impacted, and it made it tough
See FLOOD, page A7
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$100 when you open a new Community Checking Account
and fulfill one of the following options for two statement cycles:1
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5 DEBIT CARD TRANSACTIONS + 2 ONLINE BILL PAYS
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Vol. 28, Issue 185
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Hebron Village President John G. Jacobson, 65, pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge of attempted possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to one year of nonreporting probation and has to pay a $500 fine.
Foundation acts to help flood victims
See GOVERNMENT, page A7
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1. Offer good for New Checking Accounts only. To receive $100, you must: 1) open a new Community Checking Account AND either A) Perform 5 debit card transactions and 2 online bill pays OR B) 5 debit card transactions and 1 direct deposit. Either set of requirements must be completed for 2 consecutive statement cycles before $100 will be credited to account. Only 1 $100 bonus per household. The $100 bonus is considered IRS 1099 reportable. Offer expires 9/30/13. 2. The Crystal Lake Checking Account requires initial deposit of $100 to open. Fees, such as overdraft charges and fees for special services, may apply. A closing fee of $10.00 will be charged if account is closed within 6 statement cycles of opening.