McHenry County news briefs

Adela Crandell Durkee
Dave McNichol, Ari Briskman, Thomas Kajohn, and Glenn Smith are among hundreds who participated in the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics in Fox Lake on February 22. Photo -- Matt Smith

Dave McNichol, Ari Briskman, Thomas Kajohn, and Glenn Smith are among hundreds who participated in the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics in Fox Lake on February 22. Photo — Matt Smith

Algonquin

Camp Algonquin to become historical park

A proposed master plan for Camp Algonquin includes five miles of trails guiding hikers past a series of historic buildings, including the buildings from the first settlers’ homestead. The camp was created in 1907 as part of a nationwide trend of charitable organizations bringing urban children to the country to get fresh air.

 

Crystal Lake

New business gets fee reduction as incentive

Fresh Thyme Famers Market received a 50 percent reduction in permit and inspection fees as well as a grant to furnish the property (approximately $121,000 altogether.) Fresh Thyme is set to invest more than $4 million and will employ 60-100 people.

 

Fox Lake

Hundreds plunge for Special Olympics

The annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge took place Feb. 22 at Fox Lake. About 450 participants flopped into inflatable swimming pools. This is the second straight year that the lake ice was too thick for organizers to cut through. The Plunge raised almost $130,000 for cognitively disabled athletes.

 

Huntley

Village manager pleads benefits of Chicago-Rockford Amtrak line

Village Manager Dave Johnson and others met with Randall Blankenhorn, IDOT acting secretary, to plead the case for proceeding with the Chicago to Rockford Amtrak line. Gov. Bruce Rauner suspended progress on the line, which already has $3 million invested and is in the planning stage. Local government believes stops in Elgin, Huntley, and Belvidere will have a positive economic impact in the region.

 

Lake in the Hills

Muslim organization receives threats

The American Muslim Community Organization received a threatening and derogatory letter recently. “They need to know Islam is a peaceful religion … and the purpose is to bring humanity closer to God and close to each other,” said President Fazal Khan.

 

McHenry County

School board election forums scheduled

The League of Women Voters scheduled three forums in March:

  • McHenry High School District 156: March 3 at 7 p.m. at the auditorium at McHenry High School.
  • Crystal Lake High School District 155: March 19 at 7 p.m. at McHenry County College
  • MCC trustees: March 23 at 7 p.m. at McHenry County College.

 

McHenry

D156 Board nominee asks for ‘no’ votes

Erin Harris’s name is on the ballot for District 156 Board, but she hopes no one will vote for her. Her 4-year-old son has one of the rarest forms of cancer, retinoblastoma. The diagnosis came too late for Harris to withdraw her name from the election. Harris is one of the original organizers of St. Baldrick’s event in McHenry County. This year, her son will be one of the recipients.

 

Prairie Grove

Video gaming gets a thumbs-up

The Prairie Grove Village Board gave a green light to video gaming terminals for businesses that hold a liquor license. Prairie Isle Golf Club is the first business to request the terminals.

 

Woodstock

Teacher Caught in Sting

Rockford police charged Brian Akers, 46, with solicitation of a sexual act in a “reverse prostitution” sting. Akers allegedly responded to a fake prostitution advertisement police placed online. Akers is on paid administrative leave from District 155, where he has taught for 20 years. In an email to parents, Principal Scott Shepard said to the best of the district’s knowledge no activity took place at the school nor did it involve students or staff. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.