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Second man pleads not guilty to murder of Zion man
A second man has denied killing a Zion man over the angle of his hat. Jose Garcia, 18, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder before Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes Thursday, May 9.
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Mundelein’s Party Fantasy wants outdoor go-kart track
Residents may soon see an outdoor go-kart track at the Party Fantasy in Mundelein. Management approached the village board for permission on May 13 and got a preliminary 5-1 approval, despite minor concerns over safety and noise.
Shootings feed frustration, pleas for cooperation
Fifth Ward Alderman Delores Holmes started her May 15 ward meeting by asking more than 100 people crowded into the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center to help her find “three concrete things that we can do together” to stop gun violence on the streets outside. That proved difficult. …
Pet hotel proposed in Vernon Hills
John Sturgess wants to build the Marriott of pet hotels in Vernon Hills. Originally from Hinsdale, Sturgess opened his first ADOGO Pet Hotel is in Minnetonka, Minn. The proposed pet hotel in Vernon Hills would be his second and is expected to open next to Glacier Ice Arena, along Fairway Drive.
Vernon Hills Athletic Association facing financial woes
Officials say negative publicity toward football, lack of corporate donations and recession effects have led to financial troubles for the Vernon Hills Athletic Association.
Retiring Carmel Catholic High School principal says job was ‘a calling’
Carmel Catholic High School Principal Lynne Strutzel is retiring in June, but said her position is “a vocation, a calling, not a job,” and vows to stay connected to the school she’s served for 34 years.
Chicago man denies human trafficking charges
A Chicago man denied human trafficking charges at his arraignment Wednesday, May 15.
Pending felony charges against contractor cause CLC to halt parking lot work
The College of Lake County has put a hold on a paving contract after the Lake County News-Sun learned that the top bidder for the project is under indictment in Cook County. Alann Harris of Park Ridge-based North Suburban Asphalt Maintenance, which on April 29 was awarded a contract to sealcoat parking lots at the college’s Vernon Hills campus, was indicted in September on charges brought by Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Lofts are ‘now alive with artists’
Cassandra Ellwing arrived home earlier this spring to a welcome that was unexpected but not surprising. “I came in from work one night to hear a five-part a capella version of ‘Rolling in the Deep’ by Adele,” Ellwing said.
Justice reconsidered: Case Review Panel digs into its first cases
Six members of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s independent Case Review Panel have their work cut out for them. The panel (CRP) is in the process of reviewing its first three cases — a murder, a sex assault and a battery/resisting arrest case.
Lake County deputy sheriff charged in sex sting
Mundelein police arrested a Lake County deputy sheriff in connection with a human trafficking group from Chicago. Deputy Sheriff Eric Francke, 33, was arrested and later charged on May 10 with solicitation of sexual acts and obstruction of justice after a month-long investigation.
Libertyville Golf Course will debut new features for season
The Libertyville Golf Course will open the season May 18 with several upgrades like a short game academy and courses geared toward women and children. But the finished product — including new synthetic turf and an indoor putting studio — will come later this summer.
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution picnic coming to Mundelein
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launched his Food Revolution foundation to fight obesity in the United States by promoting healthier foods at home, school and in the community. For Lindsey Shifley of Mundelein, however, the foundation helped her manage her daughter Abbie’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
Vernon Hills service dog nominated for American Humane Association honor
Gander was days away from being euthanized when he was rescued from a shelter and trained to become a service dog. More than two years later, the labradoodle is in Vernon Hills and nominated for a national award for having saved the life of his companion, Vietnam War veteran Lon Hodge. “If you talk to any veteran with a service pet, they’ll tell you their dog saved their life,” Hodge said.
Cook Park Library in Libertyville welcomes lower-level makeover
The Cook Park Library in Libertyville is celebrating a makeover and new technology in its lower level. A gift from the Margaret Earnshaw estate enabled the library to install lower, white shelving and new signs to give the space a “bookstore” feel, spokeswoman Rebecca Ferguson said.
Planned Cardinal Square condos in Mundelein will become rentals
New homes planned for Mundelein’s downtown were stalled in 2008 due to the recession, but the Cardinal Square subdivision will finally get its second building. The first building struggled to get buyer eventually became half rental; the proposed second building will be exclusively rental.
