Hi-Liter Illinois 1/25/2023

Projects protect shoreline erosion along Lake Michigan

Two ground-breaking projects underway at Illinois Beach State Park will help protect precious shoreline from erosion caused by Lake Michigan waves and inform future decisions about how to blunt the effects of erosion and climate change, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Capital Development Board recently announced.

Illinois Beach State Park in Lake County, home to unique prairie and wetland habitat and a beloved local and regional recreational draw, features the last remaining natural shoreline in the state. However, the shore is constantly battered by Lake Michigan waves, making it a priority for preservation and mitigation efforts.

Some parts of the park’s coastline have receded by as much as 100 feet in one year.

Aerial photos and maps show how the shoreline, roads and dune ecosystems have been drastically altered; visitors can see evidence of some of the damage in person.

“Illinois’ lakefronts are a national treasure and one of our greatest natural resources, and it’s essential that we preserve these spaces for future generations to love and learn from,” Governor Pritzker said. “This historic, ambitious project from IDNR and its partners is a commitment that Illinois will continue to tackle the effects of the climate crisis head on and work to build a cleaner, more sustainable Illinois for everyone to enjoy.”

The larger of the two projects is construction of a revolutionary system to preserve 2.2 miles of Illinois Beach State Park shoreline. This is a $73 million project, which is believed to be the largest capital project in the history of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Funding for the project was secured by the Capital Development Board (CDB) and made possible through the historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan. Construction is set to begin in spring 2023.

“It is a priority for IDNR and the State of Illinois to do everything we can to protect the precious public shoreline at Illinois Beach and the native species that live there before they both vanish forever,” said IDNR Director Colleen Callahan.

Rather than stopping erosion by building walls or high-profile coastal structures, the design seeks to guide and direct the movement of the sand instead of simply trying to prevent its movement. The approach uses creatively shaped and formulated islands and submerged reef structures, positioned out in the lake rather than built directly along the shore. These structures serve multiple roles, blocking and reducing the erosive force of incoming waves, redirecting nearshore currents, and providing a new home to aquatic and avian species that live along the shoreline.

The unique solution is the

result of more than a year of computer simulations and intense physical modeling to explore how Lake Michigan waves would behave passing around the structures and ultimately transform the shoreline. To test and verify design performance, consultants built a scale model in a giant hydraulic laboratory in the United Kingdom – larger than a soccer field – to replicate conditions along 11,000 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline.

More than 100 variations of possible shoreline solutions were tested until an effective solution was found. The lessons learned through this trailblazing effort set new standards and guidelines for how living shoreline design can manage highly erosive wave forces while remaining as natural as possible.

The completed project will utilize about 250,000 tons of rock fill and armor material, creating 22 submerged and low emergent stone breakwaters covering 12.2 acres of lakebed and renourishing the shoreline with nearly 430,000 cubic yards of sand.

This goal of this massive effort is to protect critical ecological habitats like the 21st Street wetlands and the North Dunes Nature Preserve Trails, as well as vulnerable infrastructure like the Lake County intake plant.

Visitors will not see much of the protective structures because they will be underwater. Protecting the lake views and natural character of Illinois Beach State Park were a priority.

“This approach reflects a broader change in the way shorelines are being protected around the globe,” Callahan said. “Our project explores new ground and sets new standards for what living shorelines can be and what we can achieve in the Great Lakes.”

The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) will oversee the project’s design and construction in accordance with the protocol for state-appropriated projects.

“The construction at Illinois State Beach is critical to stabilizing shoreline erosion and ensuring the property is preserved,” said CDB Executive Director Jim Underwood.

‘Rubble ridges’ pilot project could become model for other states

The second project involves the installation of stone “rubble ridges” in Lake Michigan off the southern end of the Illinois Beach State Park coastline. This pilot project is an example of an innovative design focused on development of lower impact and less expensive measures that can protect shoreline.

During the summer of 2021, crews finished constructing three 750-foot-long rubble ridges in the shallow water of Lake Michigan about 500 feet offshore of Illinois Beach State Park. Built of more than 10,000 tons of stones that were placed by a crane, the ridges are intended to work in concert to lessen storm wave impact and protect the eroding beach

and unique ecosystem in the dunes.

The ridges are submerged in the water to preserve the view from the shoreline. They also create fish habitat by offering small, protected pore spaces within the structures – in effect, protecting habitat with habitat

“This project represents an important step toward the future of Great Lakes coastal resiliency,” said Ania Bayers, natural resources manager of the IDNR Coastal Management Program. “It’s also a testament to the importance of interagency collaboration, a reliance on good science, and innovative design to preserve the most basic and important qualities of the places Illinoisans love.”

Each year, winter wreaks havoc on Lake Michigan communities as waves and ice pummel the coast. More recently, storms combined with record-high lake levels have been especially damaging to the shoreline.

“From 2012 to 2020, a period coinciding with record-low to near record-high lake levels, the north unit of the park alone lost an estimated 670,570 cubic yards of sediment,” said Robin Mattheus, coastal geologist of the Illinois State Geological Survey. “To help put that into number into perspective, that’s enough to fill about 50,000 dump trucks.”

Coastal Management Program staff began working three years ago with community stakeholders, scientists and a team of design re-

searchers to better understand changes to the coastal landscape and develop a solution to the erosion problem.

The resulting rubble ridges will be carefully monitored by scientists during the next five years with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). Their study will help inform coastal protection across the Great Lakes and may lead to better in-water habitat and more affordable shoreline protection alternatives.

Construction of the rubble ridges is anticipated to cost an estimated $1.5 million.

Monitoring of the project is performed by staff from ISGS and the Illinois Natural History Survey, who look for changes in the landscape, lakebed, area hydrodynamics, and habitat usage through an array of instruments and techniques. One such technique uses eight monitoring “cages” that were designed and fabricated to be placed on the surrounding lakebed, collecting hydrodynamic data from waves as they pass through the project area.

Collaborators with IDNR’s Coastal Management Program on the project include Healthy Port Futures, Great Lakes Protection Fund, U.S. EPA, Illinois Natural History Survey, ISGS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA.

To learn more about this project at Illinois Beach State Park, visit http://healthyportfutures.com/illinois-beachstate-park/.

Idleburg elected vice chair of Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce Sheriff John D. Idleburg has been elected as Vice Chairman of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB). ILETSB’s Executive Committee nominated and elected Sheriff Idleburg on December 8, 2022.

Sheriff Idleburg will preside

as the Vice Chairman of ILETSB’s Executive Committee and also serves as a member on the Finance & Legislative Committee, as well as the Special Committee on Per-

sonnel Matters. In 2020, Sheriff Idleburg was appointed to ILETSB as a Board Member by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board is the state agency which is mandated to promote and maintain a high level of professional standards for law enforcement

and correctional officers. The Board is responsible for establishing mandatory minimum thresholds which govern the hiring and training of law enforcement personnel. The Board currently has eight appointed members and six statutory members, and all play a crucial role in professionalizing Illinois law enforcement.

Sheriff Idleburg looks forward to continuing to ensure the community’s values and expectations are mirrored in the requirements of statewide law enforcement.

Sheriff Idleburg said, “The ILETSB Board and ILETSB staff continue to make significant progress in building out a much more robust organization. With many changes

in the law, ILETSB is growing and will provide greater support and resources to law enforcement statewide. This will include greater funding to the state’s Mobile Training Units (MTUs), which provide direct training to law-enforcement officers across the state. It is a true honor representing Lake County at the statewide level.”

Largest capital project in IDNR history will protect shoreline

Sheriff John D. Idleburg

Sure, Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell were the stars. But around these parts, everyone knows it was Punxsutawney’s picturesque standin that stole the show.

And, as townspeople here prepare once again to relive their early February appointment with a weather-predicting marmot, organizers of Woodstock Groundhog Days are pulling out all of the stops. This is, after all, the 30th anniversary of the release of the acclaimed cult classic “Groundhog Day,” in which Woodstock serenely portrayed Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where Murray’s pothole-plunking character was mired in a time loop.

Starting Feb. 1 and continuing through Feb. 5, the public is invited to enjoy walking tours, breakfasts, dinners, film screenings, memorabilia exhibits, author appearances, Bingo, bags, a pub crawl and more. Those are all in addition to the big prognostication, starting promptly at 7 a.m. Feb. 2 at the gazebo in the Woodstock Square, said Rick Bellairs, chairman of Woodstock Groundhog Days.

Like many of a certain age who are from the Woodstock area, Bellairs, cast as one of hundreds of extras, recalls fondly his days on set during the making of the movie in 1992.

“Back then we had lit-

tle idea what the movie was about, let alone that people would still be talking about it 30 years later,” he said, adding that the town first started celebrating its star turn on Groundhog Day 1994.

“It was a small gathering, a handful of people,” Bellairs said. “Since then, it’s grown each year to include having a live groundhog come to having a polka band come and from one day to several days. It’s something silly and fun in the middle of winter, a good chance to get outside and do something different.”

And people do come, some from as far away as Australia and Germany, Bellairs said.

“It is exciting to meet people who come each year from across the country and beyond,” he said. “It’s so great to see how happy they are, how much fun they are having and how much they love Woodstock.”

Jaki Berggren, president and CEO of Naturally McHenry County, said Woodstock Groundhog Days’ continued popularity is a testament not only to the enduring appeal of the film, but also to the endearing nature of the town.

“This is one we all look forward to,” Berggren said, “no matter what the groundhog predicts.”

Among this year’s special attractions for film aficiona-

dos are the return of Danny Rubin, who wrote the original story and co-wrote the BAFTA award-winning screenplay with Director Harold Ramis. Rubin will be at the prognostication on Groundhog Day, and then at 2 p.m., will address an audience at the Woodstock Opera House, aka the Pennsylvania Hotel.

“For those who may ask how many days is Phil stuck in his time loop, or how did he get stuck there, they can come hear it from the man who wrote the story,” Bellairs said, adding that the Opera House event, like many during Groundhog Days, is free.

Also highlighted are walking tours led by film production manager Bob Hudgins. These will take place at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 and 1 p.m. both Feb. 4 and Feb. 5.

“Hudgins was the coordinator between Columbia Pictures, Harold Ramis and the City of Woodstock,” Bellairs said. “He has a lot of fun, behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the movie.”

Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre will screen “Groundhog Day” at 7 p.m. Feb. 1, noon Feb. 2, 10 a.m. Feb. 4 and 10 a.m. Feb. 5. Cost is $2. A detailed list of all of the other Groundhog Days festivities can be found at woodstockgroundhog.org.

Festivities this year will be Feb. 1-5 as the town commemorates the 30th anniversary of the release of “Groundhog Day,” filmed in Woodstock in 1992.

Rifle Association files federal suit against assault weapons ban

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The Illinois State Rifle Association has joined forces with other gun rights advocates in filing a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s new ban on the sale and manufacture of semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines.

It’s the latest legal challenge to the law, which went into effect upon Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature on Jan. 10, and the first filed in federal court.

The case, which will be heard in the Southern District of Illinois, was filed within a week of a similar case being filed in state court in Crawford County.

Additionally, Thomas DeVore, a private attorney and unsuccessful candidate for attorney general in 2022, has filed suit in Effingham County and is seeking an emergency injunction to block the new law’s enforcement.

“Gov. Pritzker and the legislators who voted for this law did this for self-serving political purposes and are not upholding the United States Constitution,” Richard Pearson, executive director of the ISRA, said in a statement.

“The Second Amendment is fundamentally about self-defense, and the 14th Amendment is about not having our rights infringed. This new law makes criminals out of law-abiding citizens.”

The law bans the sale and manufacture of a long list of firearms—including certain rifles, shotguns and handguns— that it categorizes as “assault weapons.” It also requires people who currently own such weapons to register them with the Illinois State Police by Jan. 1, 2024.

It also bans the sale and manufacture of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition for a long gun or 15 rounds for a handgun. Those who already

possess such devices would be able to keep and possess them on private property, on a gun range, at a licensed gun shop to undergo a repair, or while traveling to one of those locations, provided the magazine is unloaded and kept in a case.

The assault weapons ban also prohibits the use, sale and possession of devices—including items known as “switches” and “bump stocks”—that increase the rate at which a gun fires by either converting it into a fully automatic weapon or making it fire like one. A fully automatic weapon continues firing as long as the user squeezes the trigger, while a semiautomatic weapon fires only one round for each trigger pull.

But plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit argue that the weapons banned under the law are commonly used in the United States, that they have been traditionally accepted as lawful firearms, and that they are, in fact, among the most popular weapons among gun owners, accounting for approximately 20 percent of all firearms sold in recent years.

They also challenge the use of the term “assault weapon,” arguing that it was coined by “anti-gun publicists” and that the weapons covered by the law are vastly different from those used in the military.

The suit alleges that the law violates the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights under the Second

and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The law was prompted in large part by the July 4 mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured or traumatized.

The alleged shooter in that case used a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle with three magazines of 30 rounds each, items that are included within the scope of the new law.

That weapon is similar to AR-style rifles that have been used in numerous mass shootings in the U.S. But the plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that those weapons actually account for only a small percentage of overall gun crimes in the country.

When Pritzker signed the legislation, Illinois became the ninth state in the nation to enact some form of assault weapons ban. But those laws are now under scrutiny amid shifting legal and political opinions about the meaning of the Second Amendment, which reads: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

As far back as 1938, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld indictments against a pair of Oklahoma bank robbers charged with transporting a sawed-off double-barrel shotgun across state lines, hold-

ing that such weapons had no reasonable relationship to a well-regulated militia and thus were not protected by the Second Amendment.

Seventy years later, however, the court struck down a Washington, D.C., ordinance banning the possession of handguns in the district, holding that the Second Amendment does guarantee an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. That ruling held that the clause referring to well-regulated militias was only “prefatory” in nature and does not limit or expand the “operational” clause that guarantees a right to keep and bear arms.

Even in that case, however, former Justice Antonin Scalia wrote that the Second Amendment is not absolute and that it does not guarantee a right to keep and carry any type of weapon for any purpose.

“We think that limitation is fairly supported by the historical tradition of prohibiting the carrying of ‘dangerous and un-

usual weapons,’” he wrote.

But then last year, in a case striking down the state of New York’s requirement that people had to demonstrate “proper cause” for a concealed carry permit, the court said the Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms that

are “in common use,” and that restrictions violate the amendment if they are not “consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.”

As of Jan. 18, the federal court in the Southern District had not yet set a schedule for hearing the case.

KELSEY ADAMS PHOTO Hi-Liter/MCN

Friends pose with a Woodstock Willie cutout outside of the Woodstock Opera House, aka the Pennsylvania Hotel, during Woodstock Groundhog Days in 2019.

Right: Woodstock Mayor, Michael Turner, welcomes guests to the Groundhog Day celebration on the morning of Feb. 2, 2022.

SARA ZILLMER PHOTO Hi-Liter/MCN

Volo Bog announces winners

The

On Friday, January 13, the newly formed Lake County Special Committee on Broadband held its first meeting. The meetings are planned to be held monthly on the Friday of the last week of the month at 8:30 a.m. The Committee will focus on determining the current state of broadband in Lake County and come up with recommendations for improvement. The Committee will consider our resident’s access, affordability, and use in their work.

The Lake County Board recognizes that having a highspeed internet connection is necessary in today’s world and is an essential need in our education, work, health care, and communication. However, having a connection alone is not enough. Access at an appropriate speed, training

and support on how to access the internet, having financial means to obtain appropriate service and devices, are also essential. Over the next few months, the Committee will look at the currently available infrastructure and programs to determine the best way meet these needs to support all residents.

They will develop a vision and design and implement a plan while taking advantage of state and local technology and federal grant program opportunities. Collaborating with local community partners will be a key factor in achieving broadband equity and inclusion so that Lake County continues to flourish and grow for years to come.

Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart shared, “I am incredibly thankful that grant

funding is being made available on a state and federal level so that, with the dedicated work of the Special Committee on Broadband and the Board, we have a number of funding options that could bring high-speed internet access to more Lake County residents and businesses.”

According to Jennifer Clark, Chair of the Special Committee on Broadband, “This is a once in a generation opportunity to strategically invest in our technology infrastructure. This committee, along with the entire Lake County Board, are committed to ensuring that Lake County residents and businesses have access to the technology they need to be successful now and, in the years, to come.”

Agencies complete ‘clean sweep’ of Antioch Community High School

In the morning of January 19, the Antioch Police Department, assisted by officers from four other agencies, completed a scheduled drug sweep of Antioch Community High School. This is a periodic event done in collaboration with District 117, which utilizes police K-9s from several different agencies. The entire sweep of the high school took 21 minutes. The search identified absolutely no drugs/contraband inside the high school.

The Antioch Police Department would

like to thank the following agencies and K-9s for their help: Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department with K-9s Fritz, Riggs, Arlo, and Riv, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office with K-9’s Kylo, Bo, and Deuce, the city of Waukegan Police Department and K-9 Tango, and the Lake County IL Sheriff’s Office with K-9s Danno and Drako. They would also like to thank the administration, staff, and students at Antioch Community High School for their cooperation.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Hi-Liter/MCN

winners of Volo Bog State Natural Area’s 36th annual nature photo contest were announced on January 8 at WinterFest. This year a total of 104 entries were submitted by ten photographers in nine different categories. Visitors to the SNA from October 22 to January 6 were asked to vote for their favorite in each category and their favorite overall. Shown above: Best of Show, People’s Choice and the Judges’ Award went to Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Blue Dasher”. The winning photos will remain on display in the Volo Bog SNA visitor center through March 4. The photos can also be viewed on the Friends of Volo Bog’s Facebook page and will also be on their website at www.FriendsofVoloBog.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Hi-Liter/MCN

Teams of police K-9’s from several agencies are shown assembling for a scheduled drug sweep at Antioch Community High School on January 19.

Court & crime news

Three Ohio children rescued from Beach Park man

On January 21, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the parent of a missing juvenile from Middleton, Ohio.

The parent said their two children a 12-year-old girl, a 14-year-old girl, as well as a friend of their daughters, a 15-year-old boy, were all missing. The parent said one of the cellular phones tracked somewhere in the area of the 10600 block of West Yorkhouse Road, Beach Park.

Lake County Sheriff’s Telecommunicators obtained additional information about the missing children from the caller, and learned an unknown male, driving a Ford Mustang left Middleton with the children at approximately 10:30 p.m. on January 20, 2023. Sheriff’s Telecommunicators searched an internal database and found Michael Negron, 19, of the 10600 block of West Yorkhouse Road, Beach Park, drove a Ford Mustang which matched the description of the vehicle that was seen in Middleton, Ohio.

Sheriff’s deputies began checking the area and located the Ford at a gas station in the area of Lewis Avenue and Wadsworth Road, Beach Park. They located the three juveniles and Negron. Negron was arrested and transported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. The juveniles were all taken to safety at the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center.

Further investigation revealed Negron was communicating with the 12-year-old for several weeks on Fortnite, SnapChat, and other social media platforms. Negron drove the Middleton, Ohio area on January 18, 2023, and stayed at a hotel. It is believed he interacted with the three juveniles several times during his stay in Middleton. He then departed with the three juveniles on January 20 and drove them to Beach Park. One of the children texted their parent a description of the car they were in, which helped

the sheriff’s office search for and locate Negron and the juveniles.

It is unclear what exactly Negron’s intentions were with the children.

After hearing the facts and circumstances of the situation, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of kidnapping and three counts of child endangerment.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “It is an unfortunate reality, but there are predators among us who prey on children. Many of these predators use social media applications to initially meet a child and build trust with them. After that trust is built, they convince the child to meet. It is incredibly important to look at your children’s electronics to see what applications they are using, who they are communicating with, and what they are saying. I am so proud of my staff for working together to quickly locate and rescue these children.”

Negron remains held in the Lake County Jail pending an initial court hearing this morning. Additional charges are possible.

Twin brothers in custody for armed robbery

On January 18, at approximately 6:35 p.m., McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched for an armed robbery in the parking lot of Napoli’s Pizza, 7613 Howe Road, Wonder Lake.

Initial investigation showed that two victims pulled into Napoli’s Pizza and parked next to a gray Chevrolet car. Upon exiting the car, a victim was approached by suspect Dashaun Harvest, who demanded money from the victim at gunpoint. The victim complied

and Harvest got back into the vehicle and was driven away.

The victims followed the suspects’ vehicle, who began firing shots towards the victims’ car. The shots were later identified as pellets from a pellet gun. Woodstock Police Department was able to conduct a traffic stop on the suspects’ vehicle after the victims called 911. During the traffic stop, passenger Dawun Harvest was found to be concealing a gun, later identified as a pellet gun.

Dashaun Harvest, 24, was charged with 1 count of armed robbery (Class 1) and 1 count of mob action (Class C) and was being held on $100,000 bond.

Dawun Harvest, 24, was charged with 1 count of obstructing (Class 4), and 1 count of mob action (Class C) and was being held on $10,000 bond.

The case is still pending investigation by McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.

Five teenagers injured in single vehicle crash

A 17-year-old Algonquin female is in serious condition, and four other teenagers were hospitalized, following a single-vehicle crash in unincorporated Grafton Township.

On January 21, at 8:56 p.m., members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, Crystal Lake Fire Protection District, Woodstock Fire Protection District, and Huntley Fire Protection District responded to the 11100 block of Conley Road for a single-vehicle roll over traffic crash.

Preliminary investigation indicated that a 2013 Infiniti G37 was traveling west on Conley Road when it passed another vehicle traveling west in a no passing zone. The Infiniti then left the roadway to the north where it rolled over and crashed through a fence and into a field.

The driver of the Infiniti, a 17-year-old Algonquin man, the 17-year-old female, and three other teenagers, (two 16 year old males and an 18 year old female), were all transported by ambulance

to Northwestern Hospitals in Huntley and Woodstock. The female was later transported to Advocate Lutheran General in Libertyville where she remains in serious condition.

The investigation is ongoing by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Traffic Crash Investigation Unit.

Man charged with solicitation to meet a child, grooming

On January 17, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division in collaboration with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) concluded an investigation which resulted in the arrest of a man for the offense of indecent solicitation of a child.

For the past several weeks Thomas E. Edwards, Jr., 29, of the 200 block of Glen Street, Grayslake, was communicating with an undercover detective online. The detective was posing as a girl under the age of 15. During the conversations, Edwards claimed to be 26 years of age. During their conversations, Edwards began enticing the ‘child’ to meet with him to engage in sexual acts with him. Additionally, Edwards sent videos to the girl of himself engaged in sexual acts.

On January 17, Edwards drove to meet with who he thought was the girl to engage in the sexual acts. When he arrived, he was arrested by sheriff’s detectives.

After reviewing the facts and circumstances, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Grooming (Class 4 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Dissemination of Harmful Material (Class 4 Felony).

Following an initial court hearing, Edwards remains held in the Lake County Jail on $250,000 bail. He is next due in court on February 16.

Woman arrested, charged with stealing mail from neighbors

On January 18, at approximately 1:20 p.m. the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Schaeffer Road and Manassas Lane, Long Grove. The caller reported the person in the vehicle was lingering around several mailboxes. Sheriff’s deputies responded and checked the area, however, the vehicle was gone before their arrival. Later in the day, at approximately 4:15 p.m., another call was received about the same suspicious vehicle and person, again lingering around the mailboxes. The caller was concerned as she was aware of prior mail thefts in the area.

The second caller was able to obtain a license plate of the vehicle and relayed that information to sheriff’s telecommunicators. The sheriff’s deputy assigned to Long Grove responded and located the vehicle in the area of Bridgewater Lane and Gettysburg Road. The sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and spoke to the driver, Gabriella Pollari, 44, of the 1300 block of Bridgewater Lane, Long Grove. While speaking to the driver, the sheriff’s deputy observed drug paraphernalia and drugs in Pollari’s vehicle.

Pollari was arrested and her vehicle was searched. The sheriff’s deputy located mail and packages in Pollari’s vehicle belonging to numerous victims who live in the area. This mail contained very sensitive information such as social security numbers, tax documents, checks, and more.

Pollari was arrested and subsequently charged with: Identity Theft (Class 3 Felony), Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine (Class 4 Felony), and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor).

Additional charges are possible.

Pet of the week

V.V., is about 2 years old, spayed, up-to-date on routine shots (incl. rabies), tested negative for FIV, feline leukemia and heartworm and microchipped.

She may be a little shy at first but she loves attention especially when things are quiet.

While walk-ins are welcome, adoptions are by appointments only to ensure we have the staff available to help adopters. For information and/ or to complete an online application, please visit www.saveapetil.org/adopt.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “The community plays a significant role in reporting crimes and suspicious activity. Thanks to this alert member of the community calling us to report what they saw, and our deputies working hard to locate the vehicle, we were able to arrest this person stealing other people’s mail. Great job to everyone involved.”

The U.S. Postal Police have been contacted and are also investigating.

Residents in this area missing mail should contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Pollari was held in the Lake County Jail pending an initial court hearing.

McHenry County Sheriff’s arrest bulletin

The following arrests in McHenry County were reported by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department. Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Dec. 20

Justino D. Vasquez-Torrez, 30, Belvidere, was cited for 2 counts of intimidation/criminal offense, and 8 counts of non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images;

Archad M. Williams, 26, Chicago, was cited for a violation of an order of protection; Dec. 21

Leo J. Monterrosa-Echeverria, 24, Round Lake Beach, was cited for burglary – building;

Lisa E. Townsend, 27, Joliet, was cited for retail theft –talking merchandise from retail establishment with intent to deprive merchant without paying;

Daniel M. Gaertner, 33, Chicago, was cited for retail theft – disp merch >$300; Dec. 22

Michael B. Cowsert, 51, Inverness, was cited for a violation of an order of protection;

Samuel F. Smolyar, 20, McHenry, was cited for controlled substance trafficking; Dec. 25

Marjorie R. Fuller, 51, Marengo, was cited for domestic battery/physical contact; Dec. 26

Joshua D. Eller, 32, McHenry, was cited for A-1 domestic battery/bodily harm and A-2 domestic battery/ physical contact. Dec. 27

Ernest R. Slavik, 46, Twin Lakes, was cited for 2 counts of mfg/del 1<15 cocaine/anlg, 2 counts of unlawful possession of firearms and firearms ammunition by a convicted felon, unlawful possession of firearms and firearms ammunition by felon, and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration; Dec. 28

Joshua D. Hachmeister, 42, Woodstock, was cited for violation of bail bond - violates condition of release when victim is family or household member.

SUBMITTED

Michael Negron

Dashaun Harvest

Dawun Harvest

Thomas E. Edwards

Gabriella Pollari

Lake County Sheriff’s arrest bulletin

The Lake County Sheriff’s Dept. reported the following arrests in Lake County. Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Dec. 26

Stanislav Vrubel, 65, Brooklyn, NY, was cited for operating a commercial vehicle with a suspended commercial driver’s license;

Jeffrey Woosley, 31, Kenosha, WI, was cited for no driver’s license and no insurance;

Alisa L. Gialds, 35, Grayslake, was cited for domestic battery; Dec. 27

Joel A. Coker, 34, Waukesha, WI, was cited for DUI –alcohol and no insurance;

Alexander Gutierrez, 18, Gurnee, was cited for aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, and illegal transportation of cannabis;

Matthew Bosque, 27, Gurnee, was cited for aggravated fleeing to elude, unlawful possession of cocaine, driving while license revoked, leaving the scene of an accident, and open transportation of alcohol; Dec. 28

Tiffany Garcia, 34, Waukegan, was cited for a warrant

arrest: DUI – alcohol;

Yuri Y. Bustos, 33, Zion, was cited for no driver’s license;

Anthony L. Neal, 49, Beach Park, was cited for no driver ’s license;

Jowan R. Macon, 25, Chicago, was cited for driving while license suspended;

Nathan A. Vieth, 35, Spring Grove, was cited for criminal trespass to vehicle; Dec. 29

Timothy A. Schnaebele, 65, Antioch, was cited for a warrant arrest: aggravated battery;

Nickey N. Jackson, 37, Zion, was cited for driving while license revoked;

Melinda M. West, 59, Beach Park, was cited for battery, assault, disorderly conduct, resisting a peace officer and a warrant arrest: disorderly conduct;

Nicholas S. Campbell, 22, Zion, was cited for no driver ’s license, no insurance, and illegal transportation of cannabis;

Corrine M. Watkins, 23, Zion, was cited for driving while license revoked;

Luis Johnson, 37, Mundelein, was cited for DUI - alcohol;

Dmarreia D. Page, 22,

Waukegan, was cited for a warrant arrest: aggravated battery; Dec. 30

Erik R. Sedko, 39, Lake Villa, was cited for a warrant arrest: DUI – alcohol (Lake County), and a warrant arrest: driving while license suspended (McHenry County);

Emily N. Auterson, 24, Mundelein, was cited for DUI – alcohol;

Justin M. Lauder, 30, Ingleside, was cited for domestic battery;

Bradley Williamson, 34, Long Grove, was cited for domestic battery, aggravated assault and resisting arrest;

Safya K. McCalla, 34, Zion, was cited for unlawful possession of a controlled substance, DUI – alcohol, and open transportation of alcohol; Dec. 31

Clara A. Freeman, 24, Round Lake, was cited for criminal damage to property;

Maciej Rydzak, 29, Wauconda, was cited for violation of an order of protection, and cyberstalking;

Valentin Bautista-Hernandez, 20, Ingleside, was cited for domestic battery; Jan. 1

Joshua M. Harrelson, 24, Chicago, was cited for aggravated speeding (110 mph in 55 mph zone);

Donald E. Otway, Jr., 34, Gurnee, was cited for DUI –alcohol. Jan. 2

Gary M. Scahffer, 37, Lake Villa, was cited for battery; Evan E. Crews, 32, Beach Park, was cited for violation of an order of protection; Arturo Arroyo, 35, Zion, was cited for aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, criminal trespass to property, criminal damage to property and resisting arrest; Jan. 3

Michael V. Kaprelian, 38, Waukegan, was cited for a warrant arrest: possession of a controlled substance;

Derien P. Greene, 30, Zion, was cited for driving while license suspended, no insurance and illegal transportation of cannabis;

Denise J. Jimenez-Gutierrez, 20, Waukegan, was cited for no driver’s license; Jan. 4

Vidol K. Witherspoon, 29, Zion, was cited for a warrant arrest: driving while license revoked;

Valentin Perez, 36, Beach

Cast your vote for the name of the new water tower near Gages Lake Road

Lake County Public Works (LCPW) will be constructing a new water tower at 18534 W. Old Gages Lake Road, Grayslake. They are looking for your help in choosing the name of the new water tower before construction begins in 2023.

The new water tower is needed to meet the increased water demand due to new development over the years. It will help ensure local homes and businesses have good water

Automobiles

1969 & 1977 CADILLAC ELDORADOS For Parts/Restoration. Call 262-581-5371.

2001 JAGUAR S 3.0 6 cyl. Newer tires, struts, will not pass emissions. Runs well. $2,300 262308-7761

2008 YUKON DENALI XL With a 6.2 liter motor, 168,000 miles, 2nd owner, runs great, interior in exc. cond. w/new tires, some rust. Family vehicle, have work provided vehicle, looking to sell to good home. $10,000 or OBO. Please call or text 262-758-4769.

2009 CHRYSLER TOWN & Conntry Minivan, Dark Green Exterior, Tan Interior, 3.3 V6 Engine, Fair Condition, Weak Reverse $1,800. Call 608-921-4010

Houses/Town/ Condos

pressure and access to water during emergencies, such as power outages.

LCPW received overwhelming support for two different names below following a request in December for suggestions. Two additional options were also added. Now, LCPW wants to know which name you prefer to be painted on the new water tower. The options to choose from are: Gages Lake, Wildwood, Gages Lake/Wildwood, or no name at all, leave it blank.

Bicycles

Text to (262) 989-4112

Announcements

CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.

Choose the name you prefer by submitting your vote to publicworks@ lakecountyil.gov or mailing to the following address: Lake County Public Works, 650 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048.

LCPW will be accepting submissions until Feb. 5, 2023. The name of the new water tower will be announced later in the year.

Learn more about the new water tower at lakecountyil.gov/watertower.

Sports/Classic Cars

1990 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE, triple black, 49,000 miles, automatic, no winters. $11,500. (630) 886-6667.

Park, was cited for domestic battery and battery;

Anthony J. Alo, 35, no permanent address, was cited for criminal trespass to residence;

Juan Robles-Hernandez, 37, Round Lake Beach, was cited for a warrant arrest: criminal trespass to property (Kane County);

Matthew X. Devost, 22, Beach Park, was cited for aggravated domestic battery;

Meshi A. Miller, 21, Beach Park, was cited for a warrant arrest: criminal damage to property; Jan. 5

Gail L. Novotny, 31, Mundelein, was cited for a warrant arrest: DUI – alcohol, and driving while license revoked;

Cesar Castillo, 23, Arlington Heights, was cited for driving while license suspended and no insurance;

Everett D. Robinson, 27, Waukegan, was cited for driving while license suspended;

Danny A. Torrez, 28, Waukegan, was cited for no driver’s license, driving with suspended registration and no insurance;

John L. Guy, 40, Palatine,

Health Care

CAREGIVERS NEEDED! $1,000. Sign-on Bonus. Courage Care is looking for passionate caregivers for our Adult Family Homes located in Lyons, WI. This career is a guaranteed to put a smile on your face by providing care to adults with disabilities in a home-like setting. If you are interested in the position or want to learn more please contact Courage Care at 262-716-6961 or via email at larrymeeks.couragecare@gmail.com

Sport Utilities

1999 CHEVY TAHOE LT select 4WD, 198k mi., new fuel pump, tires & more, 5.7 eng., well maint’d, little rust. $2,800. 815845-2006

was cited for a warrant arrest: disorderly conduct, and driving while license revoked;

Hasaan Z. Carr, 18, Round Lake Beach, was cited for theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle;

Juan M. Salazar Ortiz, 20, Kenosha, WI, was cited for no driver’s license and no insurance; Jan. 6

Diamond J. Davis, 18, Round Lake Beach, was cited for driving while license suspended and no insurance;

Heydi M. Martinez, 33, Island Lake, was cited for no driver’s license;

Kenneth E. Martin, 52, Zion, was cited for a warrant arrest: preventing apprehension of a fugitive and obstructing justice;

Euclid A. St. John, 69, Zion, was cited for DUI – alcohol;

Kellia D. Jones, 19, Kenosha, WI, was cited for no driver’s license and no insurance; Jan. 7

Mario A. Roque, Jr., 33, Volo, was cited for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon,

CNA OR CAREGIVER 2nd shift available. Paid training, leadership skills, dependable, ability to multi task, punctual. Good pay per experience. Some benefits. Call Melinda at 414-750-4062.

Help Wanted

BUSY MAIL ROOM NEEDS WORKERS Part Time or Seasonal! Hours can be flexible 2-3 days per week. Delavan Location. Call to inquire 262-725-7704.

Newspaper Editor

Southern Lakes Newspapers is seeking a FULL-TIME COMMUNITY EDITOR. This is a hands-on editing position that requires a highly motivated individual who will have a role in all editorial functions including reporting, writing, photography, page design and website. The ideal candidate will have the ability to work independently and be an effective manager who is able to recruit and direct freelance writers and photographers. An experienced journalist/editor is preferred, but we’ll consider recent grads with extensive college newspaper editing experience.

Southern Lakes Newspapers, based in Delavan, publishes 15 weekly newspapers as well as shoppers and specialty publications. We offer health, dental, vision and disability insurance in addition to 401(K) benefits.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.

Pets

POM/TERRIER PUPS $400$600. AKC Pom male, 8 months. Can send pics text Debbie 262909-9398.

Other Real Estate

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

If you’re ready to make your mark on a community and its newspapers, email your resume and work samples to Ed Nadolski, Editor In Chief Southern Lakes Newspapers at enadolski@standardpress.com

JEEP COMANCHE MOUNTAIN BIKE Paperwork for authenticity.