McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake, will host the 17th Annual People in Need Forum from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 27.

McHenry County

McHenry County College to host People in Need Forum

McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake, will host the 17th Annual People in Need Forum from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 27. The forum annually features local experts providing important community resources that are available in the area to help individuals in need through networking, panel discussions and workshops. Topics for this year’s event (in 16 different workshops) include veterans’ services, suicide prevention, human trafficking, LGBTQ issues and challenges, student loans, Medicare and opioid use in McHenry County. More than 80 exhibitors will be on-site, offering attendees an opportunity to talk with agency staff and gather information. The event is free and open to the public. Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. in the Luecht Conference Center, located in Building B. Each attendee will receive a 2018 resource directory. To register, and for more information, contact Bev Thomas at (815) 479-7529 or via email at bthomas@mchenry.edu — or visit www.mchenry.edu.

Fox River Grove

Village nets award for new public works facility   

The village announced that Fox River Grove recently received a Public Works Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Fox Valley Branch (in the structures under $5 million category) for the construction of its new public works facility, located at 1229 Lincoln Ave. With this designation by the APWA Fox Valley Branch, the project will now be considered by the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter for an award in the same category. The village stated that the new public works facility has proven to be a major asset to the Public Works Department and the community, thanks to the improvements it facilitated in terms of efficiency, safety, training and effectiveness. The new facility also came with a substantial reduction in cost to the village compared to initial plans for the project, resulting in a savings of approximately $4 million. The project team included village officials, Kluber Architects + Engineers, Engineering Resource Associates and Lamp Incorporated. For more information, call (847) 639-3170 or visit www.foxrivergrove.

Island Lake

Lions Club to hold 2018 Ice Fishing Derby

The village announced that the Island Lake Lions Club’s 2018 Ice Fishing Derby will be held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 3 (back-up date is Feb. 10), with headquarters at Eastway Park, 411 Woodbine Ave. Hourly prizes will be awarded (in the Adult and Children’s divisions) for the longest fish in each of the following categories: Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass and Perch. The event, a fundraiser for the Island Lake community, also includes 50/50 cash raffles, gift certificates, fishing supplies and more. The entry fee is $15 (adults) and $5 (ages 15 and under). Raffle and prize presentations will be held at 3 p.m. at 3-D Bowl/Sideouts Sports Tavern, 4018 Roberts Road. For more information, call (847) 526-8764, send an email to liongeoff@sbcglobal.net or visit www.villageofislandlake.com.

Johnsburg

Fundraiser aims to boost technology for Dist. 12 students

The Johnsburg Educational Partnership Foundation (JEPF) will host the Winter Wine Tasting Fundraiser from 6:30-9 p.m. Jan. 27 at Corkscrew Pointe, 1402 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry. The event includes wine tasting and appetizers (provided by International House of Wine and Cheese, in Richmond), a full cash bar, and a 50/50 raffle and drop raffle. Attendees must be age 21 and up. Tickets are $35 per person. All proceeds will be used toward the purchase of Chromebooks to expand the use of technology for Johnsburg School District 12 students. To purchase tickets, and for more information, call (815) 900-3366 or visit www.jepf.org.

Huntley

Village nets financial reporting award for 16th year in row

The village reported that the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Huntley by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United Sates and Canada (GFOA) for its 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This marks the 16th year in a row that Huntley has been awarded the distinction. The village’s CAFR was judged by an impartial panel and recognized for demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. For more information, call (815) 515-5200 or visit www.huntley.il.us. 

Woodstock

Sign-up dates set for Dist. 200 kindergarten program

Woodstock Community School District 200 will hold registration for Kindergarten in District 200 — a full-day program held at the Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center, 2045 N. Seminary Ave. — anytime between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30 and between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6. Registration is for the 2018-19 school year; kindergarten classes meet from 8:30 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. daily. To be eligible, children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2018, and are required by state law to provide an original or certified copy of their birth certificate at the time of registration (hospital certificates cannot be accepted). Parents must also provide proof of residency in order to register their child. A registration fee of $125 will be collected at the time of registration. In addition, parents interested in the Kindergarten Dual Language program must attend one of two additional informational meetings (3:30 p.m. Jan. 30 or 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6) to learn about available class options. Both presentations will be in English and Spanish. All meetings and registration sessions will be held at the Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center. For more information, call (815) 338-8883 or visit www.woodstockschools.org.        

–McHenry County News Briefs–