Site of Fox River Grove Phase 1 development. (Photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)

Cary

Local father educates parents on teen-popular technologies

Matt Batt, father of three boys, started The Parent Feed last year after becoming aware of bullying on social media smart phone application Yik Yak. Parent Feed’s goal is to educate parents on new technology and to teach children about being responsible with their devices. Batt made his Parent Feed presentation available in Cary, Algonquin, and Carpentersville this fall. He also plans to reach all the school districts in McHenry County.

Crystal Lake

City’s costs mounting in Bleacher fight

The City’s legal fees to fight Crystal Lake Community High School District 155 installed bleachers are more than $225,000 and climbing. The City contends the school failed to get the required permits. The District claims they followed the rules for construction on school property. The owners of two properties filed lawsuits in 2013. Although the Dist. 155 filed for permits, the City is fining them $1,000/day, which already added up to over $1 million. The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments in May, but will not make a decision until after re-convening in September.

Water purification system fails

The City filed a lawsuit against Maxim Construction Corporation of Volo and manufacturer Environgen Technologies for the cost of an ion-exchange water purification system. The City hired Maxim for $1.3 million to renovate the building and install the system for one of the 11 wells the city owns. Environgen also filed a lawsuit against Maxim for failing to pay $945,465 for the purification system.

Fox River Grove

First Phase of mixed-use development gets approval

Even though State grant money is on hold pending budget approval, Fox River Grove Village Board unanimously approved proceeding with the first phase of a $250 million redevelopment. Phase 1 of 4 includes three five-story apartment buildings on the east side of Route 14. Additional phases include 90,000 feet of commercial/retail, a marina/restaurant, and a hotel. Although the Village approved overall concept, each phase requires approval before the project may proceed.

McHenry County

Local courts may administer psychotropic drugs

A bill, sponsored by state Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), gives local courts the authority to provide psychotropic drugs, even if defendants refuse them. Prior to the amendment of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities code, defendants refusing drugs got sent to an Illinois Department of Human Services facility, until they were medicated and returned fit for trial. Upon return, the defendant refused drugs, delaying the trial further.

Richmond

Diesel fuel spill creates cleanup mess

About 65 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the street when a semi-trailer and a vehicle collided 8:30 a.m. Aug. 18 at the intersection of Route 173 and Route 12. No injuries were reported. Fire Richmond Township Fire Chief Rick Gallas expected EPA to take most of the day to clean up the mess.

Woodstock

City receives $250,000 grant from HUD to address flooding

Woodstock plans to stage an estimated $1 million project into three parts to best take advantage of grant money. The County administers the grant money from the Federal Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program. The first stage adds storm sewer piping from the intersection of Walnut Drive and Ash Avenue, and then on to Tappan Street to allow drainage into Silver Creek. Relief from flooding isn’t expected until all three stages are complete, projected for 2018. If the city does not receive additional grant money, the city must come up with the money.

— McHenry County news briefs —