The Fox Lake Community Garden will host Planning and Starting a Successful Vegetable Garden, a special program for adults, from 6:30-8 p.m. March 15 in the Large Meeting Room at the Fox Lake District Library, 255 E. Grand Ave.

McHenry County

Mental Health Board addresses service issues 

The McHenry County Mental Health Board reported that the 2017 Healthy Community Study Perceptions Assessment found that 21 percent of survey respondents who were unable to receive services cited they were not sure how to find mental health services. Subsequently, the Mental Health Board and Network Council members elevated “Awareness of Services” to a significant community issue in need of attention, resulting in a series of countywide efforts and activities now underway. First, the Mental Health Board worked with the McHenry County Community Foundation to expand the MCHELP Mobile App to include countywide mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability-related resources along with immediate crisis support information via text or voice. Secondly, the Mental Health Board has added a “Services Directory” to its website (www.mc708.org), and Training & Community Development Associate Denise Bowman can be contacted at 815-788-4392 during normal business hours to assist with service navigation. The Mental Health Board will also host a monthly “Intake Coordinators” meeting featuring representatives from network providers. In addition, the Mental Health Board supports the McHenry County Crisis Line (800-892-8900), the Bilingual Service Navigator (815-322-2357) and the United Way Greater McHenry County 2-1-1 help line. For more information, call 815-455-2828 or visit www.co.mchenry.il.us.      

Lakemoor

T-Ball program merges with Wauconda league

The village announced that a partnership has been formed with Lakes Youth Athletic Association, allowing the Lakemoor T-Ball program to merge with the Wauconda Baseball and Softball (WBS) Shetland program under the WBS umbrella. The Shetland league is intended for pre-K through K (ages 5 and 6) boys and girls, and is designed to initiate players with the basic elements of baseball in a fundamentally sound way. A safety ball is used during all games and practices. The main differences from Lakemoor’s T-Ball program include more flexibility in scheduling games and practices, and coaches pitching to batters (with tees available). Practices will begin in late March/early April, with games scheduled to begin in the last half of April (weather permitting). The 2018 season runs through June. Games will be played at Heritage Park, located on Darrel Road. For more information, including complete registration details, visit www.lakemoor.net — or call 815-385-1117. 

Fox Lake

Community Garden to host special program at library

The Fox Lake Community Garden will host Planning and Starting a Successful Vegetable Garden, a special program for adults, from 6:30-8 p.m. March 15 in the Large Meeting Room at the Fox Lake District Library, 255 E. Grand Ave. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Lake County will discuss planning, seed and plant selection, seed starting, garden site preparation, tools and materials. The class is appropriate for beginning to experienced gardeners. Admission is free. For more information, call 847-587-0198 or visit www2.youseemore.com.

Huntley

Dist. 158 grants to provide aid in variety of areas

Huntley Community School District 158 reported that members of the Huntley 158 Education Foundation recently awarded nearly $6,330 in grants to Dist. 158 educators during its annual grant cycle. This year’s grants include an entrepreneurial project for students with special needs, advanced hands-on equipment for Huntley High School (HHS) Medical Academy students, books in a variety of genres, reading Toolkits, Math Team contest fees and more. Thanks to matching funds from the HHS Fine Arts Boosters, the Education Foundation was also able to provide funding for the purchase of technical effects equipment for the district’s Performing Arts Center. Since its inception in 2003, the Education Foundation has awarded more than $99,700 in grants. For more information, call 847-659-6158 or visit www.mccdistrict158.org.

Crystal Lake

City tabs Prairieland Disposal for garbage pick-up

The city announced that the Crystal Lake City Council recently approved a contract with Prairieland Disposal for unlimited refuse, recycling and yard waste collection services. The new contract will result in decreased rates for residential customers utilizing curbside collection. Prairieland will begin collection services on May 1, and will provide the same scope of service as the current provider, MDC Environmental Services. This includes unlimited collection, refuse and recycling toters included in the base rate, collection of one bulk item per week, and no change in collection days. Prairieland will deliver new refuse and recycling toters to residents, beginning in early April. In addition, residents will receive new billing information from Prairieland Disposal to set up their billing account, choose toter sizes, and select any additional toters and/or yard waste toters. For more information, including monthly rate changes, visit www.crystallake.org — or call 815-459-2020.

Cary

Village nets financial reporting award for 19th year in row

The village announced that the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Cary by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual 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 19th consecutive year the village has been awarded the distinction. For more information, call 847-639-0003 or visit www.caryillinois.com.

–McHenry County News Briefs–