Land & Lake Days will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 19 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 20 at Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake. (Fox Lake Parks and Recreation photo)

McHenry County

Mikan hired as Criminal Division Assistant State’s Attorney

The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office announced that Tyler Mikan has been hired as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Criminal Division. Prior to joining the State’s Attorney’s Office, Mikan interned in the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Will County Public Defender’s Office. Mikan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Drake University (Iowa), earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law, Politics & Society and a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric. He was the recipient of the Presidential Achievement Scholarship for four years, and was the champion of the 2017 Midwest Regional National Trial Competition.

McHenry Township

Township Road District nets award for recycling efforts

The McHenry Township Road District recently received the 2016 Government of the Year Award from the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County. The recognition was based on recycling efforts that resulted in the recycling of more than 24 tons of electronics in 2016, including TVs, computer monitors and video game consoles. Recycling efforts so far in 2017 have resulted in the recycling of more than seven tons of electronics, 358 pounds of batteries, 101 fluorescent lights, two drums of VHS/audio tapes and DVDs, and six large bags of Styrofoam. For more information, call (815) 385-5605 or visit www.mchenrytownship.com.

Fox Lake

Village to host Land & Lake Days, Cardboard Cup Regatta

The village announced that Land & Lake Days will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 19 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 20 at Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd. The event includes food vendors, a beer tent, pony and camel rides, bouncy houses, a balloon artist and face painting. Live music includes 28 Days, Tropixplosion and Ken Schultz on Aug.19. In addition, the 20th Annual Cardboard Cup Regatta will be held Aug. 20. Registration and on-site boat building will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the race at noon. Registration is $30, and includes a boat building kit. Categories are: Ages 10 & Under, Ages 11-15, Ages 16 & Up and Business Entries. Trophies will be awarded for 1st Place, 2nd Place, Best of Show and Fastest Sinking in each category. Admission to Land & Lake Days is free. For more information, call (847) 587-2151 or visit www.foxlake.org.

Algonquin

Library offers special event to view upcoming solar eclipse

The Algonquin Area Public Library District will host a special event to view the first total solar eclipse in the continental United States in 38 years from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Main Library, 2600 Harnish Drive. The library will distribute special viewing glasses to attendees, courtesy of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the National Science

Foundation, Google and NASA. Regular sunglasses are not safe to view the eclipse. Prior to the event, families/households may request up to two sets of viewing glasses on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of glasses will be available for early distribution. For more information, call (847) 458-6060 or visit www.aapld.info.

Johnsburg

Change in Zoning Ordinance bans use of temporary structures

The Johnsburg Village Board recently approved amendments to a section of the Johnsburg Zoning Ordinance to prohibit the use of temporary accessory structures, effective May 1, 2018. Such structures are often utilized by residents to seasonally house boats and other recreational vehicles. After receiving and following up on complaints regarding the condition of many of the structures, the Village Board discovered that the structures are often in disrepair and are being used for storage of items other than boats and recreational vehicles. To address the problem, temporary accessory structures will no longer be allowed. The Village Board also approved an increase in the maximum allowable size of a permanent structure. Previously, sheds could not be greater than 168 square feet in size. The amendment increases the allowable size to 400 square feet, provided that any structure greater than 168 feet includes a concrete floor. The increase in size may provide residents an alternative to temporary accessory structures currently being utilized. For more information, call Timothy Haynes at Village Hall at (815) 385-6023 or visit www.johnsburg.org.

Spring Grove

Annual Steak Fry to raise funds for SGFFA

The village announced that the Spring Grove Firefighters Association (SGFFA) will host the 25th Annual Steak Fry at 5 p.m. Aug. 19 at Horse Fair Park, 8105 Blivin St.. The fundraising event includes food and beverages, continuous raffles and a live concert performance by Top 40 country cover band Back Country Roads (7 p.m.). Tickets are $20 for a full steak dinner (including corn, potato and more) and concert, and $10 for the concert only. Other dinner options will be available. Proceeds will benefit SGFAA, a non-profit organization developed by the Spring Grove Fire Protection District that primarily raises funds to purchase equipment for the fire department, support Explorer Post 1800 and provide scholarships to Richmond-Burton High School seniors. For more information, call (815) 675-2450 or visit www.springgrovefire.com.

Cary

Village Board meeting to address former school property

The village announced that a special Village Board meeting to discuss the former Maplewood School property near downtown Cary will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at Village Hall, 655 Village Hall Drive. The meeting — open to the public — is intended to present the developer to village officials and allow the Village Board to provide preliminary feedback on the redevelopment of the site prior to the production of any development drawings or a formal zoning petition. No formal action will be taken regarding redevelopment of the property during the meeting. For more information, call (847) 639-0003 or visit www.caryillinois.com.

Crystal Lake

Park Dist. Board appoints Martens to fill vacancy

The Crystal Lake Park District Board of Commissioners announced the appointment of Julie Martens to fill a vacancy on the Park Board. Martens will complete the two-year term created by no candidates running in the April election to fill the remainder of the term. Martens, a resident of the community for two years, currently works as a U.S./Canada tax director for a privately held manufacturer of food packaging and machinery. Martens will be sworn in Aug. 17 at the Park Board meeting.

–McHenry County News Briefs–