McHenry County 

Senior Care Volunteer Network receives national award 

A report stated that Senior Care Volunteer Network (SCVN), a non-profit, volunteer transportation organization dedicated to serving seniors (ages 60 and above) who live in McHenry County, has been awarded the Star Award for Excellence by the National Volunteer Transportation Center. SCVN was the only organization from the United States to win the prestigious award in 2016. In addition, SCVN received a check for $10,000 in recognition of its efforts in providing exemplary transportation services for seniors in McHenry County. Last year, SCVN volunteers drove more than 181,000 miles to help seniors in need. For more information, call (815) 455-3120 or visit www.scvnmchenrycounty.org.

McHenry County seeks public input on hazard mitigation plan 

A report stated that McHenry County, in partnership with participating jurisdictions, has completed a draft update of the county’s hazard mitigation plan. The purpose of the plan is to assess natural hazards that may impact communities in the county, and then identify a strategy to reduce the impact of future hazard events. Maintaining a compliant hazard mitigation plan ensures that McHenry County is eligible for all federally available, mitigation-related Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding and disaster support opportunities. Public review and comment on the draft plan is welcomed and encouraged, and comments will be accepted through Oct. 28. An electronic version of the plan can be downloaded at www.co.mchenry.il.us, and is also available at the McHenry County Emergency Management Office, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. All comments should be directed to Robert Ellsworth, either by phone ((815) 338-6400), fax ((815) 334-4634) or email (ema@co.mchenry.il.us). Following the review period, the draft will be submitted to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and FEMA Region V for a compliance review. The plan will be adopted following state and federal approval.

McHenry County earns GFOA award for 18th consecutive year 

A report stated that McHenry County has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), for the 18th consecutive year. The award, presented to McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer, represents the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. In addition, the county also has applied for the GFOA’s Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award (PAFR). McHenry County is one of only three counties in the state to apply for the PAFR award. The GFOA is a non-profit, professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals, with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C. For more information, call (815) 334-4000 or visit www.co.mchenry.il.us.

Johnsburg  

Johnsburg approves flat tax levy for 2015 tax year 

The village reported that the Johnsburg Village Board recently approved a flat tax levy for the 2015 tax year. The Board agreed to pursue the value of new growth, but no increase for existing residents. Currently, a homeowner of a $250,000 appraised home contributes approximately $515 annually in property taxes to the village. Next year, residents can expect the amount paid to the village to decrease by approximately 20 percent (or $100) with the elimination of the sanitation levy. For more information, call (815) 385-6054 or visit www.villageofjohnsburg.org.

Lake in the Hills 

Lake in the Hills Police Dept. to host annual Safety Town Trick-or-Treat Night 

The village announced that the Lake in the Hills Police Department will host its 10th annual Safety Town Trick-or-Treat Night for kids from 3-6 p.m. Oct. 31 in the miniature town located behind the Safety Education Center at 1109 Crystal Lake Road. Children who participate will be in a fenced area for trick-or-treating at each of the miniature town’s little buildings, where friendly “monsters” and other Halloween characters will be on hand to pass out treats. For more information, call (847) 658-5676 or visit www.lith.org.

Huntley 

Huntley tree pruning operation to run through April 

The village announced that its parkway tree pruning operation is now underway, and will continue through April 15, 2017. The operation is scheduled to work its way through each subdivision, starting at the northernmost limits of the village and ending at the southern limits. The primary objective of the pruning operation is to provide safe passage for road network travelers, and the village’s Public Works Department, via the mitigation of sight distance hazards at intersections where traffic and street signage can be difficult to see — as well as maintaining adequate vertical roadway and sidewalk clearances to create safe travel conditions for pedestrians and equipment. In addition, proper and systematic pruning will protect the trees from damage caused by adverse environmental conditions, and improve overall tree health and structure. Proper discretion will be used in determining the actual pruning heights, keeping in mind the growth habits of the tree while also maintaining a well-shaped appearance. For more information, call the Public Works Department at (847) 515-5222 or visit www.huntley.il.us.

Woodstock 

 First-ever Woodstock  Police Dept. K-9, Brinx, passes away 

The city reported that the Woodstock Police Department’s very first police K-9, named Brinx, peacefully passed away Oct. 12 at the age of 11 years, 5 months. Brinx began his career with the police department in 2006, and worked side-by-side with his handler, Sergeant Arthur “Ray” Lanz, before retiring in 2013. Since his retirement, Brinx enjoyed life as a member of the Lanz family. The city cited the team of Sergeant Lanz and Brinx as one of the region’s most formidable and effective police K-9 units while serving together. In appreciation of the dog’s loyal and exemplary public service, Brinx will be added to the roster of police K-9s at the Northern Illinois Police K-9 Memorial, located at Highland Memorial Park, in Libertyville. For more information, visit www.policek9memorial.org.