McHenry County News FRE
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11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115 • (815) 654-4850 • www.McHenrycountynewspaper.com Display Advertising & Classifieds: 815-654-4850 • Circulation: 815-654-4854 • E-mail:McHenrynews@rvpublishing.com
Volume 6 Issue 50
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Ben’s Christmas Tree Farm 7719 Ryan Rd., Harvard, IL
www.benstreefarm.com (630) 279-0216
Thousands of 6-14ft. trees in 9 varieties of firs, spruces, and pines. TREES START AT JUST $39. Trees are organically grown. Farm Activities include FREE HORSE DRAWN WAGON RIDES, free drinks in warming barn. Free shaking and netting. Farm animals. Santa Claus. Craft shop. Fresh handmade Fraser fir wreaths & garland. Table top & precut trees available. Saws & twine provided. Open Fridays, Satudays, and Sundays 9 am - 4:30 pm Open Fridays 12/9 & 12/16, 11 am - 4:30 pm, now thru 12/18 265218
Christmas Clearing House 2016
By Anne Eickstadt,
T
CORRESPONDENT
he Woodstock Rotary Club has held Christmas Clearing House deliveries to those who are elderly, housebound or needy for over 40 years. This year, the Parker Family – Brendan, Sarah, Hannah [age 6] and Will [age 3 ½] have volunteered their services for the event once again. “We’ve done Christmas Clearing House deliveries of gifts and food before. This is our first year standing and collecting during Tag Days. It is a good opportunity for our kids to learn to give back to the community,” Brandon says. “We delivered about a dozen last year,” he continues. “When you see the looks on people’s faces, especially if they did not know that their neighbors or someone nominated them to receive a gift box or even if they do expect it…” Brandon’s face lights up as he thanks back. “It’s pretty cool when you go to pick up [food and gift boxes] and see all the people volunteering. And when you consider all the effort it takes to organize everything. It’s unbelievable.” “The Rotary Club is a great organization that gives back to the community. When you look at the family members that are participating in the Christmas Clearing House, they are all local.” “I work for the fire department. We house Christmas Clearing House at some of our stations. We try to get our members to participate whether delivering or giving.” The Rotary Club’s Christmas Clearing House has a new address this year. The food and gift baskets will be based at 14400 Washington Street, Woodstock, IL. It is the former site of Americast Concrete Products. It is two miles west of Dairy Queen on the north side of the road. A Christmas Clearing House banner will identify the location. That is where volunteers will pack boxes and baskets into lines of cars, SUVs, vans and trucks for delivery by still more volunteers. The vehicles will be directed into position by volunteers positioned all along the way from the street and back out again. Deliveries will be made on Saturday, December 17, from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. Recipients of these deliveries will receive gifts and a box of food. “They get a whole turkey dinner. They receive: a turkey, 2 cans of green beans, 2 cans of creamed corn, 2 boxes of stuffing, milk, a loaf of bread, rice, pancake mix, scalloped potatoes, cereal, chicken noodle soup, a bag of fresh potatoes, carrots, saltines, and 6-8 fresh fruits or vegetables,” Denise Graff Ponstein of the Woodstock Rotary Club says. Volunteers are welcome to show up to help bag toys on Wednesday, December 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and to pack food boxes on Thursday, December 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. “We thank the community of Woodstock and the surrounding area. It warms our hearts that, for 44 years, they have embraced ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO McHenry County News and supported Christmas Clearing House.” The Parker Family, Brendan, Sarah, Will (age 3 ½) and Hannah (age 6) are all pitching in to raise money for Further information about the Christmas Clearinghouse the Rotary’s Christmas Clearing House which delivers gifts and food to housebound, elderly and families in and Rotary Club of Woodstock can be found online at www. need during the Christmas season. rotaryclubofwoodstock.com.
Solarz officially new Marengo Police Chief By Samantha Fetzner REPORTER
In the last week of November, after acting as interim police chief since July, Richard Solarz has been named the permanent new Police Chief in the city of Marengo. Solarz, formerly a Sergeant with the department, has been a member of the Marengo police force for nearly 24 years. Solarz had been a Sergeant since 2003. He
started with Marengo Police Department in 1993. Hallman, Solarz’s predecessor, left the position after three separate stints as Police Chief with the city. He took a position at the University of Wisconsin. Hallman had been Chief for four years during his last term when he left for his new position. Solarz’s appointment to the position was unanimous when the Maren-
go City Council voted for him as interim chief earlier this year. Before coming to Marengo, he worked with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department from 1990 to 1993. During his time as Sergeant in Marengo, Solarz attended and completed the FBI National Academy program which he graduated from in 2012. Other experience on his resume includes work with the McHenry County Major
Crimes Task Force, and time served as a United States Marine. Remaining in the position of Police Chief, Solarz will oversee 16 people including a single detective, two Sergeants, and nine Officers. His promotion to permanent Police Chief will increase to $102,263 annual salary immediately, up approximately $2,500 from his previous pay. Scheduled pay increases through Novem-
ber 2018 account for an additional $12,000 plus assuming he remains in the position. Thus far his appointment and retention of the position has been well received by the city and its residents. He has already begun creating a more communal and personal relationship between Marengo officers and residents/businesses through community introductions and increased presence at area events.
CLC former choir director allegedly had sex with past students By Samantha Fetzner REPORTER
Crystal Lake Central High School’s now-former choir director, Justin Hubly, has been accused of having sex with former CLC students. Hubly was arrested on Tuesday, Nov 29 by the Crystal Lake Police Department after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Hubly had been under investigation for the incidents
in question since October when reports were first filed. Two of the alleged victims have been cooperating with the police department in their efforts to uncover the truth. Detectives have interviewed multiple people in relation to the case and have found enough evidence to move forward with charges at this time. Hubly, who is 35 years old, has
been the school’s choir director since 2004. According to the arrest records from the Crystal Lake Police Department, he was arrested on two counts of battery and one count of unlawful delivery of alcohol. He was released on a $10,000 bond shortly after his arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court on Dec 27. The names of the two female alleged victims have not been made public
at this time. Reports by the accusers state that Hubly was providing liquor and then proceeding to engage in sexual behavior and activities with his former students in his own home in Crystal Lake. Since the investigation was opened in October, Hubly was suspended by District 155 shortly thereafter and submitted his resignation,
which was accepted by the District at the beginning of November. During his 12-year career with District 155, he had also acted as a director of student activities and also spent five years with the District 155 Education Association as their acting president. The investigation is still ongoing and active at this time. More details will be made available as the case progresses.