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July 31, 2014 • $1.00
Emma Soden
TALENT SHOW TURNS 50 Longtime contest coordinator follows careers of past McHenry County competitors / Planit 12 NWHerald.com
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Lawmakers condemn power plant McSweeney, Duffy join opposition to $450M proposal for facility in Oakwood Hills By JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com OAKWOOD HILLS – State Rep. David McSweeney and state Sen. Dan Duffy have joined the growing movement against a $450 million power plant proposed for Oakwood Hills. McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, vowed Wednesday to “actively fight against” the
WWII vet honored for lifetime of service
project at the state level should it be approved locally. Project developers would have to get state permits to construct the plant if local authorities approved it, including from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency where McSweeney said he would oppose it. “I’m a big supporter of natural gas plants, but they can find a better location for this,” McSweeney said, noting
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the proposed location was too close to a school. “There are just too many questions and
frankly, I need to represent the local citizens who have a very legitimate concern.” McSweeney said he also was greatly concerned about the water usage of the plant, estimated to need 1.5 million gallons of water a day to operate. Developers said all the water could come from neighboring wastewater treatment facilities, though a backup groundwater source would be
available in emergencies. Natural gas development and bringing business into Illinois is important, McSweeney said, but not at the cost of the health and well-being of residents. Duffy, R-Lake Barrington, echoed McSweeney’s concerns over the project and said the process needed to slow down
State Rep. David McSweeney R-Barrington Hills
State Sen. Dan Duffy R-Lake Barrington
See PLANT, page A5
COMMUNITY SALUTES HERB FRANKS
Longtime grocer gave time, money to causes in Cary By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com CARY – A familiar face to longtime Cary residents was honored by the state for his lifetime of community service. Robert Krautstrunk was named Veteran of the Month by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Krautstrunk, a Navy veteran of World War II, owned Cary Finer Foods back in the 1980s and donated freely of his time and money to local causes, his son Kurt said. “My dad has always been someone that when it comes time to volunteer, when there’s something that needed to be done, he’ll raise his hand,” Kurt Krautstrunk said. The elder Krautstrunk never lived in McHenry County, but made sure to give back to the community in which his customers lived. He did what he could to make sure area food pantries’ shelves were stocked along with his own, and he helped sponsor a village Little League team as well as the annual Cary Days festival. Krautstrunk, now living in Grayslake, received the honor at a July 18 ceremony in Des Plaines. “It was awesome, more than I expected and more than I deserve, I certainly didn’t think I was entitled to it, but I’m very happy and very proud to have it,” he said.
H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@shawmedia.com
Former president of the Illinois State Bar Association Herb Franks arrives at Checkers for lunch Monday in Union. Franks is being celebrated for practicing law for 50 years. The well-liked Marengo Democrat in the heart of GOP country will be roasted at a Union benefit.
Celebrating half century in practice Longtime Marengo lawyer to be recognized at roast By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com Walk into a local Union restaurant with Marengo lawyer Herb Franks, and it’s evident that everyone knows him. He stops several times to say hello. He cracks jokes. He shakes hands. He offers hugs. People know him, and
people like him. But the well-liked Democrat in the heart of GOP country (“It’s how I learned to smile,” he said,) might need even thicker skin for an upcoming “roast” honoring his more than 50 years in the legal profession. The event Aug. 8 will bring state lawmakers and legal heavy hitters to Franks’ stomping grounds.
Featured roasters are Illinois Supreme Court Justices Anne Burke and Thomas Kilbride, Secretary of State Jesse White, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, McHenry County Judge Michael Caldwell, Appellate Court judges Richard Goldenhersh and Mary Schostock and others. Attorney General Lisa Madigan will open the ceremony at Don-
ley’s Village Hall Banquets in Union. “If they tell the truth, I’m in trouble,” said 80-year-old Franks, managing partner at Marengo-based Franks, Gerkin & McKenna law firm. All proceeds from the roast – including ticket sales – will benefit Prairie
My father always thought I'd be a great lawyer because I talk too much.” Herb Franks on his interest in practicing law
See FRANKS, page A5
See VETERAN, page A5
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Businesses headed to Harvard
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Economic Development Corp. hopes more organizations will make home in Harvard / B7 SPORTS
McHenry County royalty 18-year-old Stephanie Vargas of Algonquin takes home the crown after being named 2014 Miss McHenry County Queen / A3
Crystal Lake Cyclones advance With a 9-6 win over Puerto Rico, the Cyclones will play in the winners’ bracket Thursday / C1
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