Warning For Pet Owners

McHenry County Animal Control (MCAC) has canceled the recently announced low cost rabies vaccination and microchip event scheduled for May 2 at its Crystal Lake facility. MCAC will reschedule this event later in the year. McHenry County Department of Health reports three dogs in the County became ill with symptoms consistent with the H3N2 dog flu which has sickened over 1,000 dogs in the Chicagoland area and other parts of the Midwest.  One dog has since died, another dog is suspected to have the illness and test results are pending on the third animal. 

Pet owners are cautioned to keep their dogs away from dog parks and from kenneling animals to reduce the spread of the virus. A fact sheet about canine influenza can be found on the American Veterinary Medical Association website https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/FAQs/Pages/Control-of-Canine-Influenza-in-Dogs.aspx.

According to a press release issued by Cornell University researchers and posted on its website http://mediarelations.cornell.edu/2015/04/12/midwest-canine-influenza-outbreak-caused-by-new-strain-of-virus/, there is no evidence that the H3N2 subtype can be transmitted to people. However, it apparently has caused infection and respiratory illness in cats.

Anyone with concerns about their pet’s health, or whose pet is showing symptoms of canine influenza, should contact their veterinarian. Symptoms of the disease may include a soft, moist cough or dry cough similar to that induced by kennel cough; discharge from the nose or eyes; sneezing; lethargy; low-grade fever; and loss of appetite. For more information, contact MCAC at 815-459-6222 or www.mcdh.info. 

Free History Program For Children

Hands on History is a new FREE program offered by the Colonel Palmer House for the winter/spring program season. Hands on History presents a brief historical topic with a craft for children. Children age 5-10 are welcome to attend with an adult. All programs are held at the Colonel Palmer House located at 660 E. Terra Cotta Ave in Crystal Lake. Advance registration is not required for these programs, just drop-in.

Saturday, May 2, Noon-2 pm, Silhouetted in the Past

Create a Victorian-style silhouette for a Mother’s Day surprise

For more information contact Mary Ott at palmerhouse@crystallakeparks.org or 815-477-5873.

Thought For Tax Day

"Would it not be better to simplify the system of taxation rather than to spread it over such a variety of subjects and pass through so many new hands." —Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, 1784 

Never Too Old To Learn

Adults who are 24 years or older and are thinking of returning to college can get their questions answered and their worries eased at “It’s Your Life,” free college information sessions at McHenry County College from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29 in Room A104. The MCC application fee is waived for all who attend either session. The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

“It’s Your Life” information sessions will highlight the quality programs offered at MCC, provide an overview of financial aid and a tour of the facilities. Participants will also meet other adults like themselves in an informal atmosphere.

 “We know how difficult it is to balance all of your responsibilities—family, work, activities, yet adults can also make time for themselves,” said Kellie Carper, manager of New Student Transitions. “Earning a degree is an ideal way to enhance their professional and personal lives.”

The information sessions are free and are open to anyone ages 24 or older. Other information sessions will take place in May and June.

To register for an information session, call (815) 479-7732 or visit www.mchenry.edu/life.

Government At Work

TUESDAY, APRIL 14

11:00 a.m. -- McHenry County Zoning Hearing Officer-

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Two matters are to scheduled including a hearing on a requested variation to allow a detached garage to be located in the effective street yard on property located in McHenry Township listed as being owned by people named Talbot.

A second matter for property located in Nunda Township is slated to be heard regarding a request for a variationto allow a street setback of three feet instead of the required thirty feet along Russet Road. This variation along with a request to allow a height of twenty-four feet instead of the required maximum eighteen feet.

Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault Of Child Nets 38 Years Incarceration

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Jeffrey Vesley, of Darien, WI was sentenced to 38 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offenses of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse and Child Pornography.

 

This case was investigated by the Crystal Lake Police Department.  Vesley pled guilty to two counts of sexually penetrating a child under the age of 13 years old, one count of touching a child under 18 years of age for the purpose of sexual gratification, and one count of possessing child pornography. Vesley had sold his computer to an individual, and that individual found a disk containing the child pornography. 

After Vesley was charged with the child pornography, the two child victims became aware of Vesley’s arrest for child pornography and reported that Vesley had molested them years prior.

This case was prosecuted by Robert Zalud of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The defendant will be required to serve 85% of the sentencing term pursuant to truth in sentencing provisions for the Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault counts.