The Lake Bluff History Museum will host its fifth annual Auto Show from 3-7 p.m. June 24 on East Scranton Avenue and Center Avenue, adjacent to Lake Bluff’s Village Green. (Photo courtesy of Village of Lake Bluff)

Lake County

Watt appointed to fill vacated Lake County Board seat

Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor announced that he has appointed Foss Park Park District Board President Vance Wyatt to the 14th District seat left vacant by the passing of longtime board member Audrey Nixon. Wyatt, a lifelong resident of North Chicago, also serves on the North Chicago Public Library Board. Illinois law requires a county board chairman to appoint a qualified individual within 60 days of a vacancy. Following Nixon’s passing, Lawlor outlined an inclusive process and appointed an advisory committee consisting of Democrat-led officials and the board leadership. The panel reviewed applications from 11 candidates and conducted four in-person interviews before selecting Wyatt. Wyatt will serve the remainder of the term, which expires in 2018. The 14th District includes portions of Gurnee, North Chicago, Park City and Waukegan. For more information, call (847) 377-2300 or visit www.lakecountyil.gov.

Sheriff’s Office Det. Ramirez earns SEDOL certificate

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced that Detective Vince Ramirez recently was awarded the SEDOL (Special Education District of Lake County) Certificate of Recognition. The award was presented by SEDOL Superintendent Dr. Thomas Moline. Ramirez, SEDOL’s School Resource Officer the last five years, received the award for his outstanding support of SEDOL programs over the years. Working with SEDOL students and staff members, Ramirez recently organized an event to raise money for Special Olympics, and the effort resulted in raising more than $1,200 for the cause. In addition, Moline said that Ramirez’s ability to develop supportive and caring relationships with students and families was noted as a contributing factor in bettering the lives of several students in SEDOL classroom programs every school year.

Lake Bluff

History Museum to host fifth annual Auto Show

The Lake Bluff History Museum will host its fifth annual Auto Show from 3-7 p.m. June 24 on East Scranton Avenue and Center Avenue, adjacent to Lake Bluff’s Village Green. Both streets will be closed during the event. The Auto Show typically features nearly 150 pre-1980 classic automobiles on display, including the museum’s 1931 Lake Bluff ice truck and 1923 Ford Model T. The Model T will be raffled off during this year’s show, with the drawing to be held at 6 p.m. Raffle tickets ($100 each) can be purchased online (www.lakebluffhistory.org) or at the museum, located at 127 E. Scranton Ave. Proceeds will support the museum and its historic ice truck. The museum is open from 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays (or by appointment). Admission to the Auto Show is free. For more information, call (847) 482-1571 or visit www.lakebluffhistory.org.

Mundelein

 Asst. Village Administrator Flynn retires from post

The village announced that Assistant Village Administrator Mike Flynn recently retired after 29 years of service. During his tenure, Flynn played a role in numerous village accomplishments, including the Water Main Replacement Program, acquisition of Lake Michigan water, stormwater control, commuter rail service and downtown redevelopment, as well as facility improvements at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, the police station, two fire stations and Village Hall. During his tenure, Flynn served under four mayors: Colin McRae, Marilyn Sindles, Ken Kessler and current mayor Steve Lentz.

Buffalo Grove

Police Dept. places first in Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge

The Buffalo Grove Police Department recently was awarded first place in the 2016 Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge. The competition, an annual event coordinated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, recognizes law enforcement agencies for their efforts in identifying and addressing traffic and highway safety issues in their communities. Agencies are judged against other agencies of similar size and type throughout the state. Agency applications for the award include efforts to address impaired driving, speed-related issues and seat belt/child safety seats. Departments are required to document policies, officer training, enforcement efforts and public education. The goal of the Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge is to save lives and reduce traffic-related injuries. The 2016 award marks the 15th consecutive year the Buffalo Grove Police Department has received recognition in the Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge. For more information, call (847) 459-2560 or visit www.vbg.org.

Highwood

Celebrate Highwood’s Inferno Fest offers eating contest

Celebrate Highwood, an organization dedicated to producing events that cater to the wants and needs of the citizens, businesses and visitors of Highwood, will host Inferno Fest from 4:30-9:30 p.m. June 28 in Everts Park, 130 Highwood Ave. The event is designed to test the taste buds of the most fearless food enthusiasts with a variety of hot and spicy creations, including pasta dishes, peppery nuts and popcorn, piquant tacos and salsa, hot wings and many more. It includes the Inferno Fest Eating Contest (7 p.m.), offering contestants an opportunity to eat as many spicy tamales from La Casa de Issac as possible in a 5-minute span. The entry fee is $10, and requires entrants to complete and sign a participation waiver prior to the contest. The winner will receive a $200 Visa gift card courtesy of Celebrate Highwood. All entrants will receive a complimentary bottle of hot sauce from event sponsor Pepper Palace. Admission to Inferno Fest is free. For more information, call (847) 432-6000 or visit www.CelebrateHighwood.org.

Waukegan

City offers cooling centers at variety of locations

In conjunction with the Illinois Department of Health’s guidelines for preventing heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the city is offering cooling centers at the following locations: Waukegan Public Library, 128 N. County St. (10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 847-623-2041); Waukegan Township Park Place (for ages 55 and up), 414 S. Lewis Ave. (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday: 847-244-9242); Belvidere Recreational Center, 412 S. Lewis Ave. (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday: (847)-360-4700); Jack Benny Center, 39 Jack Benny Drive (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday: (847) 360-4740); and Hinkston Field House and Aquatic Center, 800 Baldwin Ave. (5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: (847) 782-3300); and the Illinois Department of Human Services, 2000 N. Lewis Ave. (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday: (847) 336-5212).

–Lake County News Briefs–