NWH-10-18-2013

Page 1

Blackhawks fall in 3-2 shootout loss to Blues

Sports, C1

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

WWW.NWHERALD.COM

The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.

75 CENTS

BATTLE WITH CANCER • LOCAL, B1

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL • SPORTS, C1

Johnsburg teacher fights against illness

CL South beats Huntley, stays perfect in division

Cheryl Trione

Leaf burning getting extinguished Restrictions create need for alternative disposal methods

Morgan receives 30 years Killer’s state of mind was central to defense By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com

Photos by Lathan Goumas – lgoumas@shawmedia.com

Mile Nelson of MDC Environmental Services dumps a garbage can full of leaves in the back of a dumptruck Tuesday as he picks up leaves and yard clippings in Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake runs a leaf pickup program for its residents as an alternative to burning fallen leaves. By JEFF ENGELHARDT

At a glance

jengelhardt@shawmedia.com

B

everly Meuch spent nearly five years leaving leaves behind. Every other weekend, the Wonder Lake resident would travel to the south suburbs to stay with family to escape the constant clouds of smoke that would seep in through her windows as neighbors burned piles of leaves. Meuch was not the only one suffering from watery eyes, an itchy throat and difficulty breathing. The McHenry County Department of Health would receive more than 600 calls a year for leaf-burning complaints. Hundreds more came into municipal police departments. But in 2008, with Meuch as a primary proponent, McHenry County approved ordinances placing heavy restrictions on burning leaves. Now, the health department receives roughly 100 calls for the season. “It was difficult to enforce at first,” Meuch said of the ordinance. “Once there were ways to collect leaves

Nelson throws bags of leaves in the back of a dumptruck as he picks up leaves and yard clippings in Crystal Lake.

“People couldn't see on Route 47 or Algonquin Road sometimes because of all the smoke rolling through. But the main reason for the ordinance was because it was becoming a major health concern.” Ernest Link, Huntley Fire Protection District for areas in the unincorporated part of the county; that is when the ordinance became really effective.” Kristy Hecke, solid waste manager for the county health department, said the alternative methods for yard waste disposal have been a major contributor to reducing open burns – a

practice that releases carcinogens into the air and causes health problems for people with asthma, emphysema and other cardiovascular conditions that affect roughly one-third of the McHenry County population.

A look at restrictions for open burning in McHenry County: n Almost every municipality has a total prohibition on open burning of yard waste, which includes grass, shrubbery cuttings, leaves and tree limbs. For those that do not, these are the countywide restrictions. n Residents may burn landscape waste on Saturdays and Sundays during April, May, October and November if the burn area meets the setback requirements of at least 100 feet from a school, business, church or house and at least 50 feet from a barn, shed or detached garage. n Burns may only take place between dusk and dawn, and all materials must have been generated on site. n Burns are permitted only when the winds are less than 10 mph and must be supervised by an individual at least 18 years old. n A fire extinguisher, garden hose or water source must be available by the burning site.

WOODSTOCK – On Jan. 18, 2009, Robin Burton Jr. was a drifter who likely took an offer for a dry and warm shelter, his family says, in good faith, not knowing it’s where he would die in a gruesome murder. Earlier that day, Kyle W. Morgan, 29, met Burton at a train station, and the pair unsuccessfully tried to buy drugs in Chicago and Crystal Lake. Later at Morgan’s Woodstock apartment, the two were drinking beer and playing video games when Morgan struck Burton in the head with a hammer. Authorities found Burton’s mutilated body in Morgan’s apartment. Witnesses described the grisly crime scene, saying Burton was

See MORGAN, page A7

Hultgren opposed debt-limit increase The ASSOCIATED PRESS CHICAGO – The lone member of Illinois’ congressional delegation to vote against increasing the nation’s borrowing limit said in a statement that he couldn’t support the legislation because it ignores the nation’s “massive debt.” Eighteen members of the Illinois delegation voted Wednesday evening for the measure to end the partial government shutdown. But Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren, who represents parts of McHenry County, was the only Illinois vote against the bill. Democrat Rep. Bobby Rush didn’t vote because he’s on leave to care for his ailing wife. “The debt crisis is not make-believe, and I was not elected to stand by while we sacrifice our children’s future for short-term political gain,” Hultgren said in a statement. “...It’s ridiculous to pay lip service

See LEAVES, page A7 See SHUTDOWN, page A7

LOCALLY SPEAKING

McHENRY

PETITION LOOKS TO LOWER PARK COSTS Johnsburg resident Kristen Thompson started an online petition asking that rates at the new McHenry County dog park be reduced or one-day passes be offered, and more than 500 people have signed. She plans to present the petition to the McHenry City Council at its Monday meeting. For more, see page B1.

Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com

HIGH

LOW

58 38 Complete forecast on A10

WOODSTOCK: Owner Wendy Giles looks to bring life back to Two Tails Market and Java Planet. Business, E1 Vol. 28, Issue 291

Where to find it Advice Business Buzz Classified

C8 E1-2 C10 E3-10

Comics C9 Local&Region B1-8 Lottery A2 Movies C7

Obituaries Opinion Puzzles Sports

B7 A9 E7 C1-6

Kyle W. Morgan was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the Jan. 18, 2009, murder of Robin Burton Jr., 28. Authorities found Burton’s body in Morgan’s Woodstock apartment.

Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Winfield, was the only state representative to vote against the bill to end the shutdown. • Illinois gets back to work after shutdown. PAGE A3 • Shutdown causes no long-term damage. PAGE A6

Winning is no accident. Franks, Gerkin & McKenna 815.923.2107 www.fgmlaw.com


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NWH-10-18-2013 by Shaw Media - Issuu