Builder Bill Schey is donating a house for Folds of Honor to sell. (photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)

Crystal Lake

Main Beach playground replacement approved

Rather than repair the current volunteer-built playground, the Crystal Lake Park District will replace it. Estimated cost to renovate the facility is  $225,000, however, the renovated structure was expected to last approximately 10 years. A new structure, which take up more space, provide challenging physical activities, and look lighter, will cost $195,000 and last approximately 25 years. The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to help pay for the project remains tied up in the state’s budget freeze.

Retro Bistro gets $10,000 grant

Christopher and Lorraine Barth received a $10,000 grant as part of the Crystal Lake’s job creation and investment programs. The grant provides funds to new businesses that hire new employees and are expected to have a certain level of taxable sales to help cover certain startup costs. The Barths currently own and operate Retro Bistro in Mount Prospect where the restaurant has been a fixture for 25 years. The Crystal Lake Retro Bistro will open in early spring, and will be located at the vacated Williams Street Public House. The menu includes French bistro classics with more contemporary plates.

Johnsburg

Builder donates new house for Folds of Honor.

Builder Bill Schey is donating a house for Folds of Honor to sell. Schey estimates the house will sell for $250,000. He plans to donate that money to Folds of Honor a scholarship program for families of military members who have been killed or injured in war. The project raised about $100,000 in donations and received donations of services from real estate agents, electricians, and roofers. The house is at 3505 Aubrey Drive and will be about 2,450 square feet.

McHenry County

Riverwalk project stalls

The McHenry Riverwalk Foundation paid the first phase of the Riverwalk development on the north side of Route 120. The next phase must be funded. The Foundation finds it difficult to solicit funds from businesses and citizens. They’d like to extend the walk west along Boone Creek and include the installation of a section of the historic Pearl Street Bridge, which would provide a pedestrian connection between a city parking lot and the downtown area.

Area students named Illinois scholars 2016-17

Several McHenry high school districts produced state scholars, according to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Community High School District 155 students claimed 306 honors. Also receiving honors are six Harvard High School students, 49 from Woodstock’s D200, 18 from Marengo, 35 from Marian Central, 25 from McHenry High School West Campus, 27 from Richmond-Burton, 107 from Huntley, 152 from Algonquin-based D300. Each student honored must be a U.S. citizen, or an eligible noncitizen, an Illinois resident, and must attend an approved school. Student also must take the ACT or SAT between Sept. 1 and June 30, must perform in the top half of his or her high school class at the end of his or her third semester before graduation, and must score at or above the 95^th percentile on the ACT or SAT. 

Woodstock

Police Chief announces retirement

Police Chief Robert Lowen will retire in June. During his 10 years of service to Woodstock, Chief Lowen made many positive changes including: a permanent beat officer program, a K-9 officer program, coffee with the chief, drug take-back program, neighborhood watch program, and senior call-in program. He also increased community service officers and bicycle patrols.

–McHenry County News Briefs–