USA Football recognized Dana Ferguson, team mom for the McHenry Junior Warriors, as their 2015 Team Mom of the Year.

Cary

Building permits issued to Pedcor 

The McHenry County Stormwater Management Commission reviewed and approved Pedcor Industries’ plans. That was the last step before the village issued building permits for the Garden Place Apartments in Cary. The permits cover the six-building affordable housing construction. Pedcor must procure additional permits for the 1,600-square-foot clubhouse. Pedcor must pay all associated permit fees, including those for the clubhouse before building can begin. The expected $850,000 in fees gets disbursed to various taxing bodies.

Harvard

Farm on former Motorola campus may become historic landmark

McHenry County historical Society recommended to the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission that the William H. Coventry Home and Barn built in 1855 become a landmark. The farm, which is owned by Miami-based Optima Ventures, is part of the embattled 247-acre former Motorola manufacturing plant and corporate buildings, just off of Route 14 in Harvard. The McHenry County Board approved the intergovernmental agreement on Dec. 15. Once farmstead becomes a landmark, it is more difficult for the owners to demolish it. The Historical Society hopes Optima Ventures will donate the farmstead or let a nonprofit restore it.

Hebron

Ex-police officer sentenced to four years

Rysard T. Kopacz, 32, a former Hebron police officer, pleaded guilty to selling marijuana from his squad car, while on duty. In a separate charge, he was found guilty of illegally possessing weapons from the department’s evidence locker. Hebron officials fired Kopacz in June 2014 for budgetary reasons. He later worked three days for Richmond police department. McHenry County Judge Michael Feetterer sentence Kopacz to four years in prison.

Johnsburg

High School sophomore appointed to Student Leadership Advisory Committee.

Jim Myers, a sophomore at Johnsburg High School is one of six students in the nation to be appointed to a student committee for the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Myers shows by daily example what a true servant leader looks like, according to Principal Kevin Shelton. Myers is active in student council and volunteers for a variety of community service activities. Myers began serving his two-year term in November 2015.

McHenry County

League of Women Voters sponsors forums

The public can hear candidates for contested federal, state, and county races share their platforms before the primary on March 15. On Jan. 21, Candidates for the 6^th and 14^th congressional districts will appear. On Jan. 26, candidates for the County Board District 4, 5, and 6 will speak. Candidates for McHenry County Board District 1, 2, and 3 will meet on Jan. 28. Feb. 2 is the date set for candidates vying for McHenry County recorder, County Board chairman, and State’s attorney. Feb. 4 the candidates for Illinois House District 63 and 66 share their vision. All forums start at 7 p.m. at McHenry County College, Building B, 8900 Route 14, in Crystal Lake.

McHenry woman named Team Mom of the Year

USA Football recognized Dana Ferguson, team mom for the McHenry Junior Warriors, as their 2015 Team Mom of the Year. Ferguson competed against more than 1,500 team moms. In Week 9, she won the online vote to become one of 10 finalists. Next, she, the team, coaches, parents, and Short Hand Studios created a parody of Taylor Swift’s song “Blank Spaces.” She substituted the lyrics for ones about football. The USA Football and MinuteClinic judged the videos and awarded Ferguson first place. The Junior Warriors receive a $5,000 equipment grant, and Ferguson gets a $500 spa gift certificate. She was also recognized Jan. 3 in the Chicago Bears’ season finale against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.

–McHenry County Area News Briefs–