A MCC Alumna Visits As Miss Illinois

Miss Illinois, Hannah Smith, poses for a photo with McHenry County College president Vicky Smith (no relation) when she visited MCC last week... Miss Illinois, of Huntley, presented “Distracted Driving…FOCUS” to MCC students. During her year-long reign, she is taking her message to schools throughout the state to educate teens and adults about the dangers of distracted driving.

Hannah attended MCC for two years and is planning to transfer to Northern Illinois University after her year-long reign as Miss Illinois.

Monday--Last Day For Grafton Township Residents To File Assessment Appeals

Monday October 3rd is the last day for Grafton Township residents to file an assessment appeal with the McHenry County Board of Review. Please contact the McHenry County Assessor, Robert Ross, by calling 1-815-334-4290 if you have questions about appealing your property assessment.  Assessment Appeal forms are available at the township office located at 10109 Vine Street, Huntley.  You can also visit www.graftontownship.us to download the forms and find comparable properties.  For general information about Grafton Township, contact Supervisor Linda Moore at 1-847-669-3328 or visit www.graftontownship.net

College Fair At MCC

Explore what the future holds for your education at College Fair 2011 from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 at McHenry County College (MCC), located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. The event will take place in the MCC Gym/Multi-Purpose Room and Commons Area. Information about more than 130 U.S. colleges and Universities will be provided in one location.

High school juniors and seniors and their parents, current college students who are interested in exploring transfer schools, and adults returning to college are welcome to meet with more than 130 college admission representatives from schools around the state and country. 

 New this year is "Conquering the Challenge of College Costs – Finding Financial Fits," a presentation by Frank Palmasani at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Bersted Lecture Hall, Room A240. He will explain how to find affordable college options, manage college costs without excessive debt, and improve college financial literacy.

Information on degrees, programs of study, tuition, admission requirements, and financial aid will be provided by the attending colleges and universities.

College Fair 2011 is a cooperative program sponsored by McHenry County College and 15 area high schools. Students can receive the information they need to make informed choices about the future of their education. 

For more information, contact Kellie Carper at (815) 455-8670 or email her at kcarper@mchenry.edu.

Watch McHenry County's Garden Grow

Water conservation in McHenry County is serious business now and for the future.  In an effort to demonstrate ways that it can be done, the County is building demonstration gardens on the McHenry County campus in front of the Administration Building.  Funding for the gardens was provided by the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Illinois American Water Environmental Grant Program.

The first to be installed was a raingarden, which can be best described as a garden planted with native plants that use and reduce storm water runoff.  These gardens filter pollutants and improve the soil’s ability to absorb water.  Insects, birds and butterflies benefit from the raingardens because they provide food, shelter and habitat for them.

In late-September, a xeriscaping garden will be built.  This garden will create a landscape to reduce water use with proper plant placement and the use of native, drought-tolerant plants.  This garden has the dual goal of first reducing water use, then the need for extensive lawn maintenance.  In both the raingarden and the xeriscaping garden, signs will be posted to describe the different plants and their unique traits, as well as information about how the gardens were constructed.

Mary McCann, Chairman of the McHenry County Environmental and Natural Resources Committee, said, “The raingarden and xeriscaping projects will be excellent examples for residents to see how they can easily and successfully conserve water on their own.  It is important to show the benefits and affordability, since it has been recognized that McHenry County may experience water shortages as soon as 2030, if nothing is done to conserve water quantity and quality.”

McHenry County has developed a Water Resources Action Plan (WRAP) to ensure that a sustainable water supply will meet the demands of projected population growth for the County in 2030 and thereafter.  A major section of WRAP is water conservation where the importance of reducing the demand for water, improving the efficiency in the use, reducing losses of water and improving land management practices are highlighted.  The development of the raingarden and xeriscaping are examples of how residents can help meet those goals.      

For more information, please contact McHenry County Water Resources Manager Cassandra McKinney at 815-334-4560 or clmckinney@co.mchenry.il.us.

Words of Wisdom

"Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day."

 --Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography, 1771

Cardiovascular Screening Offered October 20 By Health Department

In recognition of World Heart Day (September 29), the World Heart Federation and its members challenge you to take charge of your family's heart health and become your home's advocate for heart-healthy living. 

You can start by being more active, stocking the home with healthy food, stop smoking and getting your cholesterol checked.  McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) supports your efforts by offering a cardiovascular screening;

When: Thursday, October 20,

Time:  7:30am-9:30am,

Where: MCDH Crystal Lake office,

             Community Room, 100 N Virginia Street. 

The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, cardiovascular education and heart age assessment.  Appointments are required at 815-334-4536; cost is $35.00.   

Having high blood cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states about 1 of every 6 adult Americans has high blood cholesterol.  In McHenry County, heart disease is the 2nd leading cause of death (857 deaths in 2007 and 204 deaths from stroke). 

The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.  Knowing the risk factors of heart disease is the first step towards lowering your chances of having a heart attack, stroke or similar health condition.

For more information on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, visit the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/.

Crystal Lake Annual Leaf Pickup Program Begins Monday-Ends December 16

Beginning this year, MDC Environmental Services will be responsible for the annual leaf pick-up program. From October 3, 2011 through December 16, 2011, MDC crews will collect bagged leaves placed at the curbside in front of all residents’ homes along public streets. The bags must be placed on the parkway before 7:00 a.m. on the normal trash collection day. The Leaf Pick-Up Program is being offered at no additional fee.

Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags in order to be collected. Paper leaf bags are available at local grocery and hardware stores. Neither the City nor MDC provides leaf bags.

There is a 50 pound maximum per bag. Be aware that wet leaves will add to the weight of the bag. Leaves placed in other containers such as plastic bags, garbage cans or boxes, or in bags too large for one person to handle, cannot be accepted.

Leaves in non-paper bags may be taken to the Brush Drop-Off site, located at Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2, at 1100 Coventry Lane (near the intersection of Dartmoor Drive and Coventry Lane), on the first and third Saturday of October and November from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. At the Brush Drop-Off site, it is the residents’ responsibility to remove the leaves and brush from their vehicles. Any containers or bags used to transport the leaves and brush cannot be left at the site.

Questions regarding the Leaf Pick-Up Program can be directed to MDC Environmental Services at (815) 568-7274 or the Crystal Lake Street Division at (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019. 

Yesterday- World Heart Day

In recognition of World Heart Day (September 29), the World Heart Federation and its members challenge you to take charge of your family's heart health and become your home's advocate for heart-healthy living. 

You can start by being more active, stocking the home with healthy food, stop smoking and getting your cholesterol checked.  McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) supports your efforts by offering a cardiovascular screening;

When: Thursday, October 20,

Time:  7:30am-9:30am,

Where: MCDH Crystal Lake office,

             Community Room, 100 N Virginia Street. 

The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, cardiovascular education and heart age assessment.  Appointments are required at 815-334-4536; cost is $35.00.   

Having high blood cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states about 1 of every 6 adult Americans has high blood cholesterol.  In McHenry County, heart disease is the 2nd leading cause of death (857 deaths in 2007 and 204 deaths from stroke). 

The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.  Knowing the risk factors of heart disease is the first step towards lowering your chances of having a heart attack, stroke or similar health condition.

For more information on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, visit the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/. 

Drivers License Services At Grafton Township Wednesday

Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with Grafton Township, is offering drivers a chance to renew their driver’s license, obtain a duplicate or corrected license or obtain an Illinois identification card. 

On October 4, 2011 Mobile Driver Services Unit will be available for the general public at Grafton Township, 10109 vine Street, Huntley IL.  

If you are age 65 or older you may obtain a free, non-expiring State of Illinois photo ID card.

The following services will be available:

• Renewal/correction of driver’s license
• New/renewal/correction of state ID
• License plate stickers
• Motor vehicle registration with renewal of DL/ID
• Organ donor registration with renewal of DL/ID
• Free State ID for seniors age 65 and over
• Vision screening and written test available for driver’s license renewal

An applicant renewing a current Illinois driver’s license or Identification card need only present a current valid driver’s license or identification card. 

To find out what documents are considered acceptable identification and the fees involved, please call 217-782-7044 or visit the Illinois Secretary of States website at

It is important to note that those who require a road test will need to visit their local DMV to renew their driver’s license.  To register for this event please call Supervisor Linda Moore’s office at 1-847-669-3328 or email lindamooregt@hotmail.com to reserve a time between 10 am to 2pm.  You can visit the township website at www.graftontownship.net.

Donations of frozen or non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry at Grafton Township would be greatly appreciated

Words Of Wisdom

"Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day."

--Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography, 1771

Very, Very Windy

A wind advisory remains in effect until 5 am cdt /6 am edt Friday for the following areas.:

Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake IL, Ogle, Lee, De Kalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Will, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, Ford.

Including The Cities of Rockford, Belvidere, Woodstock, Waukegan, Dixon, DeKalb, Aurora, Wheaton, Chicago, Ottawa, Oswego, Morris, Joliet, Kankakee, Pontiac, Watseka, Paxton, Gary, Valparaiso, Morocco, Rensselaer, Fowler
Strong northwest  winds have spread over northern Illinois and northwest Indiana following the passage of a cold front earlier this afternoon. Strong gusty winds are expected to continue through early Friday morning before weakening below wind advisory criteria.

Sustained winds of 30 to 35 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph will persist through the night across the area. Occasional gusts up to 55 mph are possible along the northwest Indiana lakefront.

Strong winds will make driving difficult. Especially  for high profile vehicles. Unsecured items left outside may be  blown around. Some damage to trees may also occur. Workers  should avoid operating cranes or working on scaffolding.

A wind advisory means that sustained winds of 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph are expected. Use extra caution.

Waukegan Brothers Have Time To Think About Past Actions

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Rashe K. Watkins, age 34, and Julius L. Watkins, age 30, both of Waukegan, pleaded guilty today for their involvement in a McHenry armed robbery.  Rashe Watkins was sentenced to 21 years in prison, and Julius Watkins was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

 On December 21, 2009, a male dressed in all black clothing entered the Payday Loans store in McHenry.  He asked to speak with a manager and removed a handgun from his person. He told all the employees to put their hands in the air and asked where the safe was located.  Employees were restrained with zip-ties and approximately $9,000 was stolen from the store.  Rashe Watkins and Julius Watkins were ultimately identified as suspects and interviewed.  Rashe Watkins admitted to being the gunman who entered the store and stole the money.  Julius Watkins assisted in the commission of the crime by driving the getaway car. 

The defendants are currently serving time in federal prison for their involvement in separate armed robberies.  Their sentences will run concurrent with their federal sentences.

This case was investigated by Sgt. Sciame of the City of McHenry Police Department and was prosecuted by Ryan Blackney of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Open House At Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department

Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department 
Open House
October 1, 2011
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Station 1
100 W. Woodstock Street
(at Walkup Avenue)

 Interactive and Educational activities for the family include:

• Displays of engines, ambulances, and other apparatus
• Station tour
• Safety House: a way to practice exiting a house fire
• Rescue demonstrations
• Flight for Life Helicopter
• Firefighter skills course for kids
• Fire extinguisher practice
• Child fire hose drills
• Refreshments

Live burn with side-by-side trailer (one side without sprinkler-one side with sprinkler
                     
 Join us to find out ways to protect your home and family!

Words of Wisdom

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."

 --Thomas Paine

Countywide Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Annual Review

McHenry County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Annual Review

McHenry County Emergency Management Agency will be hosting its first annual review of the McHenry County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan:

When:      Thursday, November 10, 2011 – 9:00 a.m.

Where:     McHenry County Administration Building – Conference Room 
                   667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL

The McHenry County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan was completed last year as a partnership among County, Municipal, Townships, and public safety entities within the County.  The Plan identifies activities that can be undertaken by these entities to reduce the safety hazards, health hazards, and property damage caused by floods, severe summer and winter storms, tornadoes, and other natural hazards.  McHenry County and the participating municipalities and townships will be eligible for natural hazard mitigation funds through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Given the nature of the plan and the intent of the parties involved, an annual review is due.  This review will primarily focus on mitigation progress and scheduling.  The McHenry County Hazard Mitigation Committee (comprised of the original jurisdictional partners) will determine if other mitigation issues or efforts, based on any natural hazard occurrences or input from communities or the public, should be added to the Plan.  Information from this meeting will form the basis of the annual report to be submitted to the County Board by the chair of the McHenry County Hazard Mitigation Committee.

For more information on the McHenry County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, please contact Assistant Director of Emergency Management Bob Ellsworth at 815-338-6400.

Speical MCC Board Meeting

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 –

5:00 p.m. – McHenry County College Board of Trustees –

Special meeting of the Board for a discussion with Higher Learning Commission Pier Reviewers. 

Mitchell Court Access From Rakow Road Closed For New Road Work

Access to Mitchell Court from Rakow Road will be closed beginning Thursday, September 29th, weather permitting. 

Access will be closed while the concrete base is poured for the new Rakow Road lanes as well as the small portion of Mitchell Court that is being replaced.  The closure is anticipated to last 7-10 days, weather permitting.  The Munshaw/Rakow intersection will remain fully open during this time. 

Please click here to see the Mitchell Court partial closure map.

Guitars As An Art Piece

An exhibit of guitar assemblages titled “Brother and Sister Guitars” by Michael Gaughan will be on display through Oct. 1 in Gallery Two, located in the hallway outside the MCC Library. The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

The guitar assemblages were created for the band, Brother and Sister, and were used during live performances from 2005-2009. The works were created with financial support from the Jerome Foundation for Emerging Artists 2004-2005. “Helicaster” includes an RC helicopter and electric guitar parts and was created with the engineering help of Steven Day. The spinning mechanism on “Quadchopper” was created with the assistance of Toby Lawson.

Michael Gaughan, formerly of McHenry County, who now lives in Minneapolis, earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. He has been a visiting artist at the Walker Art Center and at the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art. His paintings have been exhibited in numerous group and solo shows including Deitch Projects at Art Basel in Miami, Deplayer in Rotterdam, Portland Institute for Contemporary Arts in Oregon, the Ace Hotel in New York City, the Soap Factory, Soo Vac Gallery and Familia Skateshop. His illustrations have been used by Nike, American Apparel, Andrew WK, Rhymesayers Entertainment, Jagjaguwar Records, Troma Films, City Pages, Good Magazine, Dining Out Magazine, and other musical arts, print and film projects. 

For more information about MCC art galleries, contact Sandra Lang, at (815) 455-8785 or email her at: slang@mchenry.edu.

McHenry County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Annual Review November 10

When: Thursday, November 10, 2011 – 9:00 a.m.

Where: McHenry County Administration Building – Conference Room B

667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL

The McHenry County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan was completed last year as a partnership among County, Municipal, Townships, and public safety entities within the County. The Plan identifies activities that can be undertaken by these entities to reduce the safety hazards, health hazards, and property damage caused by floods, severe summer and winter storms, tornadoes, and other natural hazards. McHenry County and the participating municipalities and townships will be eligible for natural hazard mitigation funds through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Given the nature of the plan and the intent of the parties involved, an annual review is due. This review will primarily focus on mitigation progress and scheduling. The McHenry County Hazard Mitigation Committee (comprised of the original jurisdictional partners) will determine if other mitigation issues or efforts, based on any natural hazard occurrences or input from communities or the public, should be added to the Plan. Information from this meeting will form the basis of the annual report to be submitted to the County Board by the chair of the McHenry County Hazard Mitigation Committee.

 

For more information on the McHenry County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, please contact Assistant Director of Emergency Management Bob Ellsworth at 815-338-6400.

Two MCC Graduates Named Athletes of Year

The McHenry County College Athletics Department announces that two former student athletes were recognized as NJCAA Academic Athletes of the Year for having achieved over a 3.60 grade point average for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Award winners include: women’s tennis player Katie Anklam of Crystal Lake and men’s soccer player Miguel Aaron Solis of Harvard.

Anklam graduated from MCC in May with an associate in science degree. In addition to playing two seasons for the women’s tennis team at MCC, she was a member of the Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa honor society, where she served on the executive board. She transferred to Colorado State University this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology. She plans to become a veterinarian.

Anklam won the Illinois Skyway Conference Title for two years in a row and in 2010, she went into the Regional Tournament finals undefeated for the year. She was defeated at regionals, but finished the year at 12-1. In two years, she earned a 26-3 record at singles. At doubles, with her partner, she was 4-8 in 2009 and 8-2 in 2010 for a 12-10 overall doubles mark.

She is a graduate of Crystal Lake South High School. This past summer, she participated in planning an anti-bullying conference with Principled Minds, a non-profit organization based in Woodstock.

Solis graduated in May with an Associate in Science degree in chemistry. He is the first person in his family to graduate from college and he transferred to Western Illinois University in Macomb in the fall. He plans to major in forensic chemistry and minor in theatre. His career goal is to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration as a chemist, specializing in toxicology.

While at MCC, he played on the MCC Men’s Soccer team for two years and served as Student Orientation leader for 2010 summer semester. He was selected as student speaker for the May 2011 commencement ceremony. He participated in many student organizations and activities, including a member of Student Senate and a representative of the Future Engineers and Scientists Society (FESS). He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

He is a graduate of Harvard High School. This past summer, he worked as a student receptionist in the MCC Advising & Transfer Center. 

Christmas Trip To Fort Atkinson, WI

Join McHenry County College’s Trips and Tours Program this November to see the traditional Fireside Christmas 2011.  This one-day trip to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin takes place from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20.

The Fireside presents an all new show in the tradition that has made it the number one choice for Christmas entertainment. The show resumes its long history of beautiful singing, breath-taking dancing, gorgeous costumes, rib-tickling fun, and a deeply spiritual commitment to the real meaning of the holiday.  Enjoy new songs, dances and cast members to help you capture the holiday spirit.

To register, contact the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588 and use course ID: NST S12 020. Cost is $99 per person and includes brunch. Register by Oct. 6 to reserve a seat. For more information, contact Claudia Terrones at (815) 455-8782. 

Taiwanese To Purchase Up To $5 Billion In Corn And Soybeans From American Farmers

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan), Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia & the Pacific, will join a delegation of 21 Taiwanese business leaders and officials this afternoon at a luncheon in Rockford to sign letters of intent for Taiwan to purchase up to $5 billion in corn and soybeans from American farmers.

The luncheon and signing ceremony will take place over lunch at Giovanni’s Restaurant, Rockford. Joining Manzullo and the Taiwan delegation will be Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen, Winnebago County Farm Bureau President Earl Williams Jr., and farmers from northern Illinois.

22nd Judicial Circuit Receives Adult Drug Court Implementation Grant

The Twenty Second Judicial Circuit is pleased to announce that the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) announced that the Twenty Second Judicial Circuit will be receiving funding from the FY 11 Adult Drug Court Discretionary Implementation Grant Program in the amount of $305,717.00.  BJA is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, the Community Capacity Development Office and the Office of Sex Offenders Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking.

The BJA Adult Drug Court Discretionary: Implementation Grant is available by competitive grant process to jurisdictions which have completed a substantial amount of planning and are ready to implement an evidence-based adult drug court program. 

The Twenty Second Judicial Circuit wishes to recognize Mr. Scott A. Block, Specialty Court Coordinator, as the principal writer for producing a document which will bring federal dollars into McHenry County. Scott was initially hired by the Twenty Second Judicial Circuit in August of 2009 as the Mental Health Court Coordinator. Since then Scott has sought and taken on additional responsibilities, such as coordinating the drug court planning initiative, coordinating many educational opportunities, seeking out funding opportunities and has taken the lead in the planning of a potential domestic violence court. 

According to the BJA (2005) an adult drug court is a specially designed court calendar and the purposes of which are to achieve a reduction in recidivism and substance abuse among nonviolent substance abusing offenders and to increase the offender’s likelihood of successful habilitation through early, continuous and intense judicially supervised treatment, mandatory random drug testing, community supervision and use of appropriate sanctions and other rehabilitation services

In collaboration with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, McHenry County Public Defender’s Office, McHenry County Court Services, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, McHenry County Bar Association, McHenry County Mental Health Board, Family Service and Community Mental Health Center and Centegra Health Systems, the Twenty Second Judicial Circuit is scheduled to convene its Adult Drug Court program on December 1, 2011 with Hon. Michael W. Feetterer presiding.

Referrals for the Adult Drug Court program are expected to come from probation officers, public defenders, private attorneys and police officers. Defendants being assessed for the program must meet program eligibility criteria including; McHenry County residency, age 17 years or older at the time of the offense, a current nonviolent felony offense in McHenry County, a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of alcohol/drug dependence and statutory eligibility criteria as outlined in 730 ILCS 166/20.

World Rabies Day - September 29

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) supports the global campaign (World Rabies Day, September 29) to spread the word about rabies control and prevention.  Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and animals however it is 100% preventable in humans. Last year, McHenry County led the State with rabid bats (22) versus 3 rabid bats in 2011.  State-wide, rabid bats totaled 117 in 2010, as compared to 44 this year.  Most bats leave in the fall or winter to hibernate so these are the best times to "bat-proof" your home. A fact sheet on bat exclusion can be viewed at www.mcdh.info.

The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure.  Keeping cats and dogs up to date with vaccinations will not only keep them from getting rabies but also provide a barrier of protection for you if your animal is bitten by a rabid animal.  You cannot tell if an animal is rabid just by looking at it.  Any wild mammal – bat, raccoon, skunk, coyote – can have rabies and transmit it to humans.  Changes in an animal’s normal behavior can be a sign of rabies.     

If a bat is found in the home, contact McHenry County Animal Control immediately (815-459-6222).  In order to test bats for rabies, it is important they be in good condition (i.e. head is intact) – either alive or recently deceased.  Specimens in good condition and test negative for rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment following human exposure.  Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.

To learn more about rabies prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.  

Kim "Hoss" Johnson Retires As McHenry County College Head Baseball Coach

Johnson held the longest coaching tenure in the history of MCC baseball, serving a total of 14 years, with two separate stints in the position, from 1992-1996 and again from 2001-2011.

His 1996 MCC squad won the prestigious NJCAA Region 4 title and the Skyway Conference championship, bringing the Scots to within one win of a Midwest District Championship and a trip to the NJCAA World Series.

That year, Johnson was named the NJCAA Region 4 Coach of the Year. Under Coach Johnson’s expert tutelage, numerous individual players earned NJCAA All-American honors, while others, such as Tony Bacci (NJCAA Region 4 and Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Halls of Fame), went on to have successful professional baseball careers. Other Johnson protégés have gone on to successful college and professional careers in many fields, including coaching.

Johnson completed 20 years of head coaching at the collegiate level, reaching the significant 500 career-wins plateau, in April, 2011.  During his illustrious coaching career, he coached 37 players who signed professional baseball contracts, along with developing 10 NJCAA All-Americans, seven at MCC. In July 2011,

Johnson was inducted into the Continental Amateur Baseball Assn. (CABA) Hall of Fame. He has also been a featured speaker at both the Illinois and Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Conventions. His other coaching stints and baseball involvements included: Major League Baseball scout for the Texas Rangers, professional baseball pitching coach with the Cook County Cheetahs and international travel team coach, taking teams to places like Japan, Germany, Colombia and Mexico.

“Hoss is a true educator and a fine developer of young men,” said Reynolds. “He has exemplary character, is responsible for transforming lives, providing a quality experience and has always been genuinely concerned with seeing all student-athletes grow and succeed academically, personally and athletically. He will be missed.”

“Palestinians' UN Bid for Statehood Undercuts Peace Process, Endangers Security”

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and a member of the Subcommittee on Middle East & South Asia, issued the following statement condemning Palestine’s plan to seek statehood Friday at the United Nations:

 “The Palestinians are playing a dangerous game at the United Nations (UN) by bypassing direct talks with Israel.  The Palestinian attempt undercuts the peace process, challenges Israel’s territorial integrity, and threatens the stability of the entire region.  The United States has spent more than $4 billion of taxpayers’ hard earned money on foreign assistance to the Palestinians over the last 15 years.  I call on Congress and the Administration to review all assistance to the Palestinian Authority immediately to determine when this funding should be stopped.

“The Administration must stand with Congress to send a clear and unmistakable message that seeking statehood at the UN is not only counterproductive, but also endangers Israel’s security.  UN action cannot supplant talks that must take place between the Palestinians and Israel itself.  A vote from the General Assembly will not create peace.”

Candlelight Vigil Observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month--October 12

Join the 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council for a Candlelight Vigil at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12 on the Woodstock Square in downtown Woodstock. The vigil will be held in rain or shine.

The candlelight vigil theme is “If Even a Single Family Suffers It’s Too Many” and is in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Entertainment will feature guitarist and singer Julie Gibson.

Anyone is welcome to show their support of domestic violence awareness efforts in McHenry County. The purpose of the event is to remember those who have been hurt by domestic abuse, including survivors and family members and call attention to the devastation that domestic abuse can cause individuals, their families, and friends.

The purpose of the 22nd Family Violence Coordinating Council (FVCC) is to establish a forum to improve the system-wide, professional and community response to family violence.  The FVCC partners with other organizations for educating and preventing domestic abuse, along with coordinating intervention and services for victims, and training for service providers.

Sponsors of the candlelight vigil include: McHenry County College, Direct Counseling, McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Turning Point.

For more information, contact Bev Thomas, coordinator of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council, at (815) 479-7792 or email her at bthomas@mchenry.edu

Words of Wisdom

"Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time, who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Martha Jefferson, 1787

Miss Illinois Speaking AT MCC This Morning

MCC alumna, Hannah Smith will speak to students, staff, faculty, and community members about distracted driving this morning a6t 11:30 a.m. in the MCC Conference Center, on the MCC campus, 8900 US 14, Crystal Lake.

Ms. Smith, of Huntley, currently tours the state as the spokesperson for “Distracted Driving”, State Farm’s safe driving initiative in conjunction with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

Following her reign as Miss Illinois, she will attend Northern Illinois University to major I dance performance and business. She plans to open a dance studio and be an advocate for her students to implement a healthy, nutritious lifestyle.

Five Candidates For Libertarian Presidential Nomination

 With the 2012 Presidential election cycle well underway, five Libertarian Presidential Candidates vying for the Party's nomination have confirmed their participation in the Illinois Libertarian Convention Candidates Forum. The forum is set for Saturday afternoon October 22nd in Bloomington Illinois, and the confirmed candidates include Roger Gary (TX), RJ Harris (OK), Carl Person (NY), Dave Redick (WI) and Lee Wrights (TX). Convention attendees will also have the opportunity to visit with the candidates directly during a "Meet and Greet" following the Forum.

In addition to the Presidential Candidates Forum on Saturday, Convention attendees will be able to participate in valuable workshops, choosing from the following topics: Public Choice Theory with Kyle Kidwell, Restorative Justice with Dr. Mikhail Lyubansky, Illinois Economic Policy with Brian Costin, and a viewing of the documentary, “Kent State: The Day the War Came Home.” Saturday evening's activities include Keynote Speaker, Ivan Eland, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Peace and Prosperity at The Independent Institute and author of ”Recarving Rushmore: Ranking the Presidents on Peace, Prosperity and Liberty”, followed by the always exciting live and silent auctions.

Michael Badnarik will be this year's Sunday Brunch Speaker during the Annual Business Meeting. Michael will also be offering his popular Introduction to the Constitution class on Monday, October 24th, following the Convention. The class runs from 9am-6pm and costs $100 (which includes an autographed copy of Michael's book, Good to be King). Class attendees should register in advance via Michael's website at http://www.constitutionpreservation.org/

Richmond Bypass Hearing Wednesday Afternoon

A second hearing on the Richmond Bypass is being held Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in the Richmond Village Hall. The first hearing on the proposal was held earlier this year. The Hall is located at 5600 Hunter Driver, Richmond.

Richmond is in the unique location of being on the way to Wisconsin vacation and sports areas. As a result a great deal of traffic passes through the Village.

Proposed plans by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) attempt to move some of this traffic to the outskirts of the Village.

MCC Student Learns Special Medical Preparation Procedures

MCC student Erin Brown of Woodstock is involved in working with her “first patients” as she participates in a three-day workshop at Indiana University School of Medicine - Northwest in Gary. Here she learns how to prepare cadavers for anatomy and physiology classes. She is the only community college student chosen for this training.

The workshop is sponsored by the International Human Cadaver Protection Program (IHCPP).is facilitated by Dr. Ernest Talarico Jr., Ph.D., assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology at Indiana University School of Medicine – Northwest. It is reportedly the only workshop of its kind in the country.

“Dr. Talarico really drives home the importance of realizing that cadaver donors are our ‘first patients’ and he helps the doctors and medical professionals of tomorrow remember why they chose this profession to begin with,” Brown said. “We are taught that our ‘first patients’ that we care for are more than just a number.”

Brown is finishing up some classes at MCC this fall toward her associate in science degree and will concurrently be enrolled at Roosevelt University as an allied health/nuclear medicine major with a minor in psychology. She plans to work in research for childhood cancers.

“I consider it a great honor to be selected for this program,” Brown said. “I was a bit worried about being surrounded by such great minds, but I feel like MCC biology instructor Marla Garrison and the whole science department at MCC has really prepared me better than I thought.”

Brown said that she prepared herself by reading and studying anatomy textbooks, along with using the Internet and YouTube to watch videos about anatomy. Plus, she watched lectures given by Dr. Talarico.

“I hope my experience at the IHCPP will help to show others at MCC and other community colleges that they are not second best in any way. Just because you are attending a community college does not mean you are less smart than anyone else.”

Brown is married and has a 4-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter. “Being accepted into the program even when I thought I would not be selected has really turned out to be a great self-confidence teacher for my daughter.