Saturday, May 8, 2010

Indoor Farming Not Very Successful For Crystal Lake Couple

Vitaly and Melissa Reider of 145 Rosedale Drive have been charged by McHenry County Sheriff's Department with allegations in connection with an indoor clandestine cannabis growing lab.

The Sheriff's Department Narcotics Division investigated and found over 1,400 grams of processed Cannabis along with one hundred sixty seven actively growing cannabis sativa plants, along with nutrients, lights, ballasts, water pumps and exhaust tubing used to cultivate the Cannabis. According to Sheriff Nygren the street value of the seized cannabis is in excess of $23,700.

The Reiders each face charges regarding unlawful production of Cannabis Sativa Plants, as well as unlawful possession of Cannabis with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of Cannabis. Bond for each of the Reiders was set at $40,000. Vitaly was arrested and incarcerated at the McHenry County Jail. Melissa was not present at the time of the investigation. A warrant for her arrest was issued.

Anniversary Celebration For McHenry County Animal Control

The group is celebrating its 2nd anniversary at its Crystal Lake location (100 N Virginia Street) by hosting several May events. Tour the facility (10am-4pm), stop by one of the adoption fests planned with area vendors or schedule an appointment for your pet’s microchip or rabies vaccination.

FACILITY TOURS
Monday, May 10, 10am-4pm
Tuesday, May 11, 10am-4pm
“Ask the Pet Shrink” Dr. Bob 1pm-3pm
Nail trimmings by Nick & Ashley, 12pm-4pm, no appointments needed

Thursday, May 13, 10am-4pm
ADOPTION FESTS
Wednesday May 12, 11am-6pm, MCAC (Crystal Lake)
Vendors: Camp Bow Wow, Invisible Fence, Thomas Tails, PetSmart, Sweet Teagan Soaps, “Ask the Pet Shrink” Dr. Bob, nail trimmings by Grooming on the Green (2:30pm-4:3opm)

Saturday May 15, 10am-2pm, MCAC (Crystal Lake)
Vendors: Invisible Fence, PetSmart, “Ask the Pet Shrink” Dr. Bob, nail trimmings

MICROCHIP, RABIES APPOINTMENTS
Saturday May 8, 11am-2pm, MCAC, Crystal Lake; microchip and rabies
Monday May 10, 11am-4pm, no appointment necessary; microchip only
Friday May 14, 10am-12pm, by appointment, MCAC (Crystal Lake); microchip and rabies

Adoption fees are $80 and include all vaccinations, spay/neuter, FELV & FIV testing, microchip, de-worming, free 1st Veterinarian visit and discounted grooming. Go to
www.mcdh.info (click on Animal Control) to view available pets or call Animal Control at 815-459-6222.

Veterinary Assistant Program At McHenry County College

McHenry County College is offering a Veterinary Assistant program this summer that meets from 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays from May 19 through Aug. 26 in Room D160 at the college, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake.

The course includes a 30-hour externship to be completed outside of classroom hours.
Veterinary assistants have been identified by the U.S. Dept. of Labor as one of the fastest growing professions. Anyone who loves animals and is seeking a new career or a side job, this is a great opportunity to work alongside veterinarians and technicians, providing care to sick and injured animals.

Course fee is $1,899. For more information contact: Ruth Kormanak at (815) 479-7879 or at rkormana@mchenry.edu. To register, contact (815) 455-8588 and reference class ID: QVT C01 001.

McHenry County Health Department Offers Training for Food Facilities

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will provide group trainings to all Category I and Category II food facilities on the following dates from 3pm-4:30pm –

Tuesday May 18, Algonquin Township, 3702 Hwy 14, Crystal Lake
Monday June 7, McHenry Township, 3703 N Richmond Road, Johnsburg

All food establishments are encouraged to attend one of the trainings which will focus on cleaning and sanitizing requirements. Facilities in “good standing” (no repeat violations or rating scores below 80 in 2009) will be given credit for one full inspection.

Registration is required by calling MCDH’s Environmental Health Division at 815-334-4585.

A Last Minute Mothers Day Gift Could Make a Lasting Impression

If there is need for a last minute gift for mom, “Church Basement Ladies" at Raue Center For The Arts on stage this afternoon at 3:00 may be just the thing.

We all know and love them! The basement kitchen throughout much of America is often the heart and soul of any church. In "Church Basement Ladies" we meet the pastor, three main kitchen cooks and one daughter who run the kitchen and care for the congregation by preparing and serving the food. Like any great kitchen, problems are solved here as well. We see the four women handle a Lutefisk Dinner, a funeral, an Easter Fund Raiser, and, of course, a wedding. They stave off potential disasters, have fun, share and debate recipes, instruct the young, and keep the pastor on due course.

“Complete with twelve songs, it is a celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there. Funny, touching and down-to-earth—audiences will ‘laugh ‘til their side dish hurts’ with the ladies’ hilarious antics. They will recognize these ‘steel magnolias’ of the church as they see the year unfold from below the House of God,’” according to Cedar Valley Entertainment.

Prior to the show, at 2:00 p.m., there will be a free reception and bake sale. Whether it’s just to sample some treats or honor Mom with a great pie, it’s the perfect place to bring her for Mother’s Day! Followed by the smash-hit musical, it’s the perfect gift she’ll never forget.

This show is sponsored by McHenry County Living, the Northwest Herald and Countryside Flower Shop. Tickets are $50, $47 and $43. They can be purchased
at or by calling the box office at 815.356.9212. Raue Center is located at 26 N. Williams Street, in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Environmental Defenders Recycling Service In McHenry Today

It's the second Saturday of the month, a day the Environmental Defenders offer their monthly recycling service. This month it is location in McHenry at the Metra station parking lot 4005 Main Street in downtown McHenry.

The Defenders’ Recycling Drive accepts fluorescent tubes, which contain a small amount of mercury and need to be properly recycled to avoid any contamination in the landfill or leaching into the groundwater. Also accepted are car batteries, packing peanuts and re-usable, un-popped bubble wrap.

A recent addition is the collection of clean, white, block Styrofoam™, which is used for packaging electronics, cookware, and other large boxed items. In recent months, the Defenders have partnered with Ken Santowski of Chicago Logistic Systems, an Elgin-based business which provides its own truck to transport this bulky material for recycling.

The collection drive also accepts household batteries, which should be recycled rather than thrown in the trash. Widely used in small electronics, household appliances, toys, and other devices, these small batteries contain heavy metals that can cause severe ailments if left to decompose in landfills or by careless disposal. These contaminants can enter the soil or water and eventually be consumed by humans, resulting in dermatitis and skin discoloration, intestinal and nervous disorders, kidney damage, brain and immune system damage, prostate cancer, or liver and lung disease.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Metra Official Takes His Own Life On One Of Metra's Lines

Philip Pagano, a resident of unincorporated Crystal Lake, committed suicide this morning on a rail line operated by his employer, Metra.

According to Sheriff Keith Nygren, investigation revealed that Pagano entered the Metra right of way of the McHenry Metra line, slightly before 8:00 am and into the path of a southbound Metra Train, killing himself instantly. This location is approximately 30 feet north of Hillside Road. The accident was found by a McHenry County Sheriffs Deputy on patrol

Nygren noted there were some documents left behind and although he did not divulge the contents, he did indicate that the information obtained is contrary to any indication that the incident is other than intentional.

This particular Metra line runs southwesterly and joins the main line just before reaching Crystal Lake. The next stop from McHenry was to be the Pingree Road Station on the east side of Crystal Lake.

According to information released by Sheriff Keith Nygren, the engineer of the train observed a male person on the tracks, and entered emergency braking mode, but was unable to stop the train before striking the individual. Nygren said that individual and the engineer made eye contact because the victim turned toward the train as it approached his location.

One vehicle was at the crossing; however, they did not observe the actual impact. The driver left the scene after speaking with the Deputy Sheriff, who was on patrol and happened upon the accident.

According to information from Sheriff Nygren, Pagano apparently drove his car from his home on North Hampshire Trail to a McHenry County Conservation District Prairie Trail parking lot located off Hillside Road.

Nygren reported that Pagano was at home alone as his wife was out of town and a child was in Chicago.

The McHenry County Sheriff's Department is not involved in any other investigations involving Pagano who was recently placed on leave from Metra while an investigation takes place on his receiving a bonus which reportedly should not have been provided.

Sheriff Nygren emphasized that all the evidence and information obtained is contrary to any criminal action.

Train-Pedestrian Accident This Morning at Hillside Road

According to undocumented reports, a train-pedestrian accident this morning at Hillside Road, Ridgefield, took the life of Philip A. Pagano, Metra Executive Directo, whose address is listed at Hampshire Trail. Further information is expected shortly from the McHenry County Sherriff's Department.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Crystal Lake Park Board Meets Thursday

The Crystal Lake Park Board will meet Thursday, May 6 at 6:30 pm in the Administrative offices, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake.

Under new business, another couple sections of the 2011-2014 Comprehensive Plan will be discussed. These sections involve Goals and Objectives and Implementation Process. The other usual business of the board includes committee discussion and updates; unfinished business; a fundraiser request from Kicleukemia as well as matters from the board and setting of committee meeting dates.

McHenry County Animal Control Advisory Committee Meets This Evening

The McHenry County Animal Control Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00 pm in the Animal Control and Adoption Center, 100 N. Virginia Street (Rt. 14), Crystal Lake.

A proposed change in the Restraint article of the Animal Control Ordinance is to be considered. Also a Power Point presentation on McHenry County Animal Control is scheduled for presentation.

No Annexation Hearing For Metra Station At Tonight's Crystal Lake City Council Meeting

Crystal Lake City Council is meeting at 7:30 this evening in the Municipal Building at the corner of North Walkup Avenue and Woodstock Street.

An annexation hearing for the Metra Station on Country Club Road is being continued to the June 15 Council meeting. Metra is working with McHenry County to understand what road improvements will be required for the proposed station.

Several applicants with requests for grants through the City's Commercial Tenant Improvement Program are being considered. They include Susan Fox for Material Girl, Ed Randall for O'Reilly Automotive and Dean Lev, for Inland/Buy, Buy Baby.

These grants if approved are granted up to $10,000 for facade improvements to commercial buildings.

So far, not including these requests, $159,740.90 has been awarded by the City.

McHenry County Board Meets This Morning

McHenry County Board is meeting this morning beginning at 9:00 am in the County Board Room located in the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

In addition to routine matters such as accepting a $36,689.72 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health to the McHenry County Department of Health for Mosquito Vector Prevention Program. Also being considered is a number of appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Public Aid Committee, RTA Commuter Rail Board (METRA) and RTA Suburban Bus Board (PACE)

Additionally, there is to be an update on the County's Strategic Plan and a Proclamation recognizing Skinners Amusement, Inc., Crystal Lake, for more than 50 years of entertaining at County Fairs, Celebrations, Home Town Events, and Picnics in Northern Illinois.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Metra Board Retains Security and Investigations Firm

    The Metra Board of Directors has named the security and investigations firm headed by former U.S. Secret Service Chicago Special-Agent-in-Charge Arnette Heintze and former Chicago Police Superintendent Terry Hillard to serve the role of interim Metra Office of Inspector General (OIG) and to assist the board in selecting a permanent on-staff OIG leader. The appointment was approved at a special meeting today.
    The board also said it has begun the process of engaging an audit and advisory firm with public sector experience to undertake an independent risk assessment and to provide advice to the board on governance, financial controls and oversight.
    Effective immediately, Hillard Heintze will handle any complaints being directed to the office created by the Metra Board of Directors at its May 14th board meeting. The firm of experienced former federal agents, state and local law enforcement executives and homeland security experts will assess all complaints, alerts and alleged incidents and conduct investigations. The OIG will report directly to the board.
    The Inspector General’s hotline number is 877-482-4962 and the e-mail is MetraIG@hillardheintze.com. Metra employees and concerned citizens are encouraged to contact the office if they suspect impropriety by any Metra personnel.
    Metra Chairman Carole R. Doris and the board also tasked the firm with advising on a blueprint for the new OIG, complete with job description, roles and responsibilities within the new office, resources and guidance for reporting to the board. The firm will also be available to help the permanent IG lay the groundwork for the new office, accelerate the implementation of national best practices in audits and investigations and manage operations as needed.
    “Arnette Heintze and Terry Hillard and their team of distinguished law enforcement and security experts are the perfect leaders to establish this critical post,” Chairman Doris said. “By selecting Hillard Heintze, this board is making a statement to the public, our partners in government and our riders that we expect Metra executives and our employees to conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity.”
    “While the actions of our former executive director have tarnished our image, we know the vast majority of the men and women of Metra strive to achieve this high standard every day,” Doris continued. “We hope they now know that they can bring any concerns they may have – now or in the future – to the OIG for a thorough, professional review. “
    Last week, the board created two new committees to directly oversee the executive director and the agency’s finances. The risk assessment firm will report directly to the board and its comprehensive review will be in addition to the annual financial audits of the agency conducted by professional accounting firms. Since 1984, Metra has been audited by Price Waterhouse (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers); Grant Thornton (now GrantThornton LLP); Deloitte & Touche (now Deloitte); and, since 2000, by the firm now known as Crowe Horwath.
    Earlier, the board’s new Financial Practices and Reporting Review Committee discussed the addition of a Federal Transit Administration compliance consultant and took its first steps to undertake a compensation review including salary, deferred compensation and other benefits, focusing initially on the executive director and senior management.
    The board’s new Executive Committee held its first meeting as well and authorized actions to begin a search for a permanent executive director of Metra. Metra Deputy Director Bill Tupper has been serving as the acting executive director since the Special Meeting on April 30, 2010.



Fleming Road Residents Hold Public Meeting Monday Evening At MCC Auditorium

The Fleming Road Alliance (FRA), a citizens group expressing concern regarding the work McHenry County Department of Transportation is planning for Fleming Road, is holding a meeting Monday evening in the McHenry County College auditorium, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

Fleming Road, a 2.5 mile two-lane road between Country Club Road and Route 120, is one of a number of scenic McHenry County Roads. The McHenry County Department of Transportation (McDOT) engineers say the road has reached the end of its useful life and needs to be reconstructed for safety reasons.

The road is the only load-posted roadway (6 tons) on the County Highway System. The pavement has deteriorated to the point where full reconstruction will be required to extend the serviceability of Fleming Road. The roadway geometry is also substandard at numerous locations and will be evaluated during the design process.

In March of this year the McHenry County Board Transportation Committee approved McDOT issuing a Request for Qualifications for engineering services in connection with the reconstruction of the road. The cost for this engineering is $1,000,000.

Survey work has been accomplished which involved the placing of survey flags on the right of way and on adjoining properties McDOT explains this does not indicate any boundaries. These are flags the surveyors use for reference points. Trees have also been marked with colored strips. McDOT says this does not mean the trees are marked for removal. Before any trees are removed, a study is made of the species as well as the condition of the trees, according to McDOT.

On July 15, 2009, the Transportation Committee of the McHenry County Board held interviews with four firms and selected TranSystems Corp. as the preferred consultant for the engineering. The full County Board approved a $464,165 contract with TranSystems Inc. The funds are being appropriated, divided equally, from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund and the County Option Motor Fuel Tax Fund.

FRA says they invived McDOT officials to provide basic "Transportation 101" course information to put to rest much of the frustrated speculation that is running rampant in the neighborhood.

McDOT delinced, saying the meeting was premature and they are still in the process of reviewing the numerous comments received after the March 23 Open House meeting. FRA members say they came away with more questions than answers since they were not able to receive the same information by all in attendance at one time.

The FRA plans to hold their meeting with answers attempted to be provided by members who researched the questions as well as obtaining other questions to forward to MCDOT. They have express disappointment that McDOT will not be present at the meeting. Mary Molten, a member of the group says, "That does not sound very transparent."

The group has a video on the web of the entire length of Fleming Road
at

Week Six For Crystal Lake Hydrant Flushing

The Sixth week of hydrant flushing in Crystal Lake—May 3 to May 7—will involve residents south of Barlina Road to Alexandra Boulevard, west of McHenry Avenue and west of Randall Road.

During flushing, water may become temporarily discolored due to material being removed from water mains. The water is safe to drink, but may stain clothes washed during hydrant flushing. Residents should try to limit water usage during this time, but if this is not possible, the City offers Rover, a chemical that can be used as a cleanser in laundry to remove iron stains, free of charge, should problems occur. Residents with questions are asked to contact the Water Division at (815) 356-3614

Agencies Looking For Survey Feedback

     1 in 13 homes received household survey this month.
     It’s not too late to send the survey back. Local agencies are seeking community feedback from a household survey recently mailed to 8,000 randomly selected McHenry County homes with the logo “Working together for a Healthier McHenry County”. The survey was designed by the McHenry County Healthy Community Study, a collaborative effort of 19 local organizations representing government, healthcare, education, parks and recreation, environmental and social services. The survey is one of 4 needs assessment tools used by the partners to guide community planning efforts to meet local needs and future growth. Focus group interviews, a community analysis and interviews of business leaders and service providers will also be conducted during the 12-month study.
     Residents are encouraged to fill out the survey which takes about 10 minutes and includes a postage-paid return envelope. The survey is an opportunity for residents to voice their opinion on healthcare, transportation, social services, employment and land use and how to improve the quality of life for themselves and their family. Results of the Study will be presented at a public forum at McHenry County College early next year.
     If there are questions about the survey or if assistance is needed in filling it out, call Health Systems Research toll-free at 1-800-854-4461. Spanish interpretation is available.