Musick: Versteeg rocks new ’do for playoffs Sports, C1
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
WWW.NWHERALD.COM
75 CENTS
In today’s Pl@y The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
Crystal Lake concert venue celebrates first anniversary PLUS ... Elementary school recording artists • Tim Cavanagh at Lucy’s Café • Theater review: ‘Annie’
Nicholas Tremulis
CL man guilty in armed robbery Faces between 21 and 45 years in prison for 2012 incident at Crystal Lake CVS By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – After an hour of deliberation, jurors Wednesday returned a guilty verdict for a 2012 armed robbery. Eric Sorenson, 31, was determined to be the man who on Sept. 2, 2012, demanded at gunpoint oxycodone pills from the pharmacist at
the Crystal Lake CVS. He made off with 300 pills. Sorenson, from Crystal Lake, could be sentenced to between 21 and 45 years in prison after a hearing June 4. Earlier in the trial, his parents, Keith and Cindy Sorenson, testified that neither Eric nor the car seen fleeing the scene of the crime ever left their house the night the CVS
Eric Sorenson was found guilty of armed robbery. He has another criminal case pending in McHenry County in which he faces multiple weapons charges. was robbed. Prosecutors said the Sorensons were being evasive on the stand and
told jurors not to take their testimony seriously. “They’re trying to remember history in a manner that suits them,” Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Zalud said in his closing argument. “They’re trying to remember history in a way that helps their kid.” Two CVS employees testified that a silver sedan with no license plates was speeding away from the
Kevin Antonsen of Poplar Grove trudges through rubble Jan. 8, 2008, as he and other family members help Antonsen’s brother-in-law, Lawrence resident Joe Finfrock, gather belongings from the heavily tornado-damaged Finfrock home.
PREPARE PROTECT RESPOND
Shaw Media file photo
Local agencies ready to act if tornado strikes
See VERDICT, page A6
Warmer reception for Chicago casino plan Downstate officials critical of proposal By SOPHIA TAREEN The Associated Press
By SHAWN SHINNEMAN sshinneman@shawmedia.com One factor worked for downstate Washington residents as a tornado ripped through their town in November, and one factor has worked against them in the months since, said David Christensen, director of McHenry County’s Emergency Management Agency. Working in residents’ favor was the fact most heeded the warnings of tornado sirens, radios and weather forecasters, and sought shelter – a factor that kept the death toll to a minimum, Christensen said. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to deny aid to the town has stressed recovery efforts and stretched local resources. “We would have thought, given the number of touchdowns, it would have warranted federal assistance across the board,” Christensen said. “It didn’t.” While Washington residents continue to travel a long road to recovery, emergency agencies in and surrounding McHenry County are preparing for peak tornado months. The federal
store just after its pharmacy was robbed. A Toyota Corolla matching that description was found in the driveway of the Crystal Lake home where Sorenson lived with his parents. When police found the vehicle, the license plate was attached with magnets.
Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
David Christensen, director of the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency, walks around the radio room Wednesday at the Emergency Management Agency in Woodstock. The EMA prepares for, protects against, responds to and helps recovery from natural and manmade incidents and events, including major disasters. government’s hands-off approach to the Washington disaster gives local agencies all the more reason to prepare themselves, and their local communities, for the worst. “From a government side of things, we have to be prepared to deal with it on our own,” Christensen said. The McHenry County EMA focuses on preparing people in the county to best
deal with a tornado. The agency has launched McHenryAware.com to act as an informational hub for the county during disasters. Christensen also encourages residents to secure hazard-alert radios or download applications on their phones so they are always aware when severe weather is threatening. “We have a severe siren
shortage in this county,” he said. “They’re so expensive and their coverage is so limited that it’s better if people have their own notification system.” The American Red Cross put out the Tornado Warning & Alert App this year. The app issues tornado warning sirens even when closed.
Voice your opinion Does your family have a weather emergency plan? Vote online at NWHerald. com.
CHICAGO – A proposal for a stateowned Chicago casino won praise Wednesday from business groups and a warmer reception from a state regulatory board than past attempts to expand gambling, but the plan also drew criticism from downstate officials and the horse racing At a glance industry, who said it would A look at both cheat them out proposals for stateof needed reve- owned casinos: nues and jobs. n First proposal T h e h e a r - would add five ing in Chicago, casinos, including in which wasn’t Chicago, plus slots at heated like pub- racetracks lic exchanges in other parts n Second proposal of Illinois, was would create a methe latest at- ga-casino in Chicago In both proposals, tempt to bolster gambling, but the Chicago casino questions were would be state run. also raised about support for the legislation in an election year where other major fiscal issues are pending. Previous bills approved by legislators were twice rejected by Gov. Pat Quinn largely over ethical concerns about corruption, and last year’s bill calling for five casinos fizzled out after the Illinois Gaming Board scrutinized plans that would have allowed Chicago to have authority over a casino. State Rep. Bob Rita, a Blue Island Democrat sponsoring the plans, said he wanted to gauge interest in a Chicago-only plan and give lawmakers options.
See TORNADOES, page A6 See GAMBLING, page A6
LOCALLY SPEAKING
Retired dairy farmer Roger Larsen (center) Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
HUNTLEY
HARVARD
D-158 SET TO VOTE ON EXPANSION BIDS
HARVARD ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE SWITCH
The initial set of construction bids on the long-awaited expansion to Huntley High School, totaling $15.12 million, have come in slightly under budget. The bid package Huntley District 158 board members will vote on Thursday is roughly $1.49 million less than administrators expected to spend when advertising the bids last month. For more, see page B1.
Harvard will join Marengo in submitting its plans to leave the Big Northern Conference when BNC principals hold their Board of Control meeting May 8. Harvard Principal Rob Zielinski and Athletic Director Matt Rife addressed the Harvard School District 50 Board at its meeting Wednesday night about the plans. For more, see page C1.
McHENRY COUNTY: Area third- and fourth-graders explore farming at the Ag Expo. Business, B5
WEATHER HIGH
LOW
56 37 Complete forecast on A8
Where to find it Advice Business Buzz Classified Comics Local&Region
C8 B5-6 C10 E5-10 C9 B1-4
Lottery Obituaries Opinion Planit Play Puzzles Sports
A2 B4 A7 Inside E9 C1-7