he Crystal Lake Community Band performs in Oakwood Hills. (Photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)

McHenry Conservation Board takes first step in renovating Camp Algonquin buildings

McHenry County Conservation District’s Board voted 5-2 to hire Amsterdam Enterprises to replace the roof on the recreation hall and its breezeway. The repairs are enough to stave off further degeneration. The total cost for renovation is estimated at $705,000; funds the Conservation District does not currently have. The fully renovated recreation hall could seat 100 to 120 people at tables, or 200 if set up theater style.

Two tornadoes touch down near Harvard in recent storm

National Weather Services meteorologists confirmed two tornadoes, about 50 yards wide, touched down on July 19. Each tornado resulted in minimal damage to fields. Ranked EF0 on a six-point scale, the tornadoes were the lowest level, or “gale” storms.

Lakemoor Police officers resign after claiming citizens’ reward.

Police officers Walter Szarowicz or Henry Campos claimed $100 in reward money meant for citizens. One of the officers called in a drunken driver and filled out the form to claim an Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorist drunkbusters award, using his wife’s name. The other officer knowingly received and processed the fraudulent paperwork. Both officers resigned before disciplinary measures could be meted out.

Nuns’ statues desecrated in Marengo

Vandals desecrated religious statues with “KKK” and “666” slogans at the Fraternite de Notre Dame.

McHenry County beaches were closed due to heavy rains

To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 12 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality. All but two of the 38 beaches had swim advisories from July 16-20. Six of the beaches remained closed on July 22. MCDH posts an advisory or closed signage for beaches with elevated E. coli results. To find the latest result, visit the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (click Environmental Health, Public Beaches.)

Pavement sealer spill in Wonder Lake creates sheen on lake

A property owner across the street from the lake spilled 20 20-gallon containers of pavement sealer into a spring-fed ditch that feeds into Wonder Lake. Wonder Lake Fire Protection District responded at the intersection of Pheasant Road and East Lake Shore Drive. The crew damned up the ditch and used absorbents to clean up the spill. The process took three hours. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency did not seem concerned.

Woodstock City Council decides on a new city slogan

Woodstock City Council agreed on “Real Woodstock” as the new tagline for the city. The city hired communications firm a5, to come up with the tagline, which will be used to draw more people and businesses to Woodstock.

— McHenry County news briefs —