Lake and McHenry County Scanner A 76-year-old woman died after she was found unresponsive while swimming in a pool at a condominium complex in Buffalo Grove Tuesday afternoon The Buffalo Grove Police Department and Buffalo Grove Fire Department responded around 2:45 p.m Meghan Hansen said officers received a call for an unresponsive person who had possibly drowned A resident at the property made the discovery and alerted property management Officers located a 76-year-old woman who appeared to have experienced a medical event while swimming Lifesaving measures were attempted but were ultimately unsuccessful Paramedics transported her to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead A preliminary investigation showed no indication of foul play The woman was a resident of Wheeling and her family members live at the Cambridge on the Lake community The woman’s body was later transported to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy No part of this website may be reproduced or stored in any form without written permission from Lake and McHenry County Scanner To keep you informed about the latest news across Lake and McHenry counties as it happens A new fast-food triple-threat is open in Buffalo Grove This sweet synergy can be found at 260 McHenry Road in a space shared by Cinnabon Jamba and Auntie Anne’s and is the latest addition to The Clove mixed-use development The three brands operate under the umbrella of GoTo Foods It is only one of three locations nationwide — and the first in the Midwest — where they are combined under one roof General Manager Sal Cefalu said the other two are in Minnesota and the New Jersey area “We're happy to be a part of the Buffalo Grove community and all the surrounding communities,” he said The store is the latest fast food outlet to open at the mixed-use development — Buffalo Grove’s effort to redevelop the former Town Center shopping center Store owner Chase Williams said customers can enjoy diverse menu options They also can look forward to enjoying dining outdoors as plans are underway to add a patio “We’ve been amazed with the customers being able to experience the different brands,” Williams said Cefalu wants it to be a community hot spot a safe and welcoming place where people can grab snacks and hang out with friends and family Customers entering the business immediately will encounter an enticing sweet aroma But the tripartite menu isn’t limited to sweet offerings The dough for Auntie Anne’s pretzels is made fresh every 45 minutes Cinnabon’s pastries come out every 30 minutes and Jamba’s smoothies are blended on the spot Customers face a somewhat daunting variety of choices Auntie Anne’s offerings include cinnamon sugar and pepperoni pretzels and mini pretzel dogs Jamba fare includes smoothie and waffle bowls with flavors such as strawberry The store recently held a grand opening attended by Buffalo Grove officials “Thank you for choosing to contribute to the vitality of The Clove a landmark mixed use of redevelopment that is transforming the heart of our community,” Smith said No injuries were reported after a fire left a home uninhabitable and spread to a second house The Buffalo Grove Fire Department responded around 4:20 p.m Monday to the 300 block of Timber Hill Road in Buffalo Grove for a report of a structure fire Fire officials said they received a report from a passerby of smoke and fire coming from a single-family residence Firefighters arrived within minutes and found flames from the two-story residence which was spreading to the next-door house The alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 assignment to bring additional fire crews to the scene Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire outside that was spreading next door while fire crews began an interior attack on the fire at the first home and searched for occupants The fire was extinguished within approximately 30 minutes No occupants were found inside and no injuries were reported Smoke and heat damage throughout the second floor of the first home left the residence uninhabitable The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Buffalo Grove Fire Department Buffalo Grove's softball team has found its groove "I feel we're really coming together as a team now," said first baseman Erin Ryan one of five sophomores in coach Martha Kelly's starting lineup on Tuesday along with two freshmen "We're playing for each other instead of individually And we're bouncing (back) from our mistakes." There weren't very many Bison mistakes in Tuesday's six-inning 13-1 win over visiting St lined a bases-loaded triple to right center with no outs to end the game by the 10-rule The Bison (6-8) have now won five of their last seven games "We are on a streak," added sophomore right fielder Sammi Wolverton "I think our team has connected and we've learned how to work together Kelly loves her team's defense that has stood out all season "Paige Veller (senior) had a great play at shortstop Emaline Sara (freshman) had some good catches at second base Hayley Cohen (sophomore catcher) threw out a runner trying to steal second in the first inning (she is now 3-for-3 throwing out runners stealing) And Sammi Wolverton's catch in right field." Wolverton's catch came on the second batter in the sixth inning and a runner on first base She robbed Kayli Burke with a terrific diving catch to her left "I saw it get hit in the air and knew right away I was going to truck and make that catch." Wolverton said "Our defense has been solid all season with Natalie Whitson setting the tone in our second game when she laid out for a diving catch in center field at Dundee-Crown," Kelly added "And it turned into a triple play and then everyone else was like 'if she can do it we all can do it.' Defense is always helpful But the big thing is that now our bats are coming around." Ryan got the bats rolling when she crushed a 240-foot homer over the left field fence for a 2-0 lead 4 RBI) in a 13-3 win against Rolling Meadows on Monday She now has 7 homers for the season and nine for her career 2 walks) reached base in all four of her at-bats while Lily Kim was 2-for-3 with a pair of infield singles and a stolen base Wolverton also had one of the Bison's 9 hits that helped lead to sophomore pitcher Brooklyn Edler's second win of the season "We're very fortunate to have three different pitchers who we can go to," Kelly added "Today was Brooklyn's day and she did fantastic We are a young group so it is very exciting." Leading the offense for the Lions (8-15) were right fielder Mia Lund (2-for-2 sacrifice bunt) and starting pitcher Alexis Horn (2-for-3) while shortstop Maggie Ratzki and designated player Anastasia Papaioannou also had hits "The last couple of weeks we were in a hitting slump but we've started to come out of it," said Lions coach John Scotillo "We had 11 hits at Immaculate Conception on Monday and today we had a few more "But we've had to use bullpen games (starter Carley Heiden is injured) because we've had some injuries But I love them (pitchers) stepping up like that and taking one for the team We had a center fielder and a first baseman pitch today and then our last pitcher was Isabella DiMarco who was our most effective one (three scoreless innings until the sixth) She doesn't get a chance to throw a lot and she had a nice stretch retiring eight out of 10 batters The medical examiner has released the identity of a woman who died after she was found unresponsive while swimming in a pool in Buffalo Grove Tuesday afternoon Officers located a woman who appeared to have experienced a medical event while swimming The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified her as Sofia Kazakova Paramedics transported Kazakova to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead her family members lived at the Cambridge on the Lake community where the incident occurred Kazakova was later transported to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy The medical examiner’s office said Kazakova’s cause and manner of death have not been determined yet Nikki Rodrigues had two reasons to celebrate Sunday night It was not only the Stevenson High School senior’s 18th birthday It was also the night her successful audition for “American Idol” aired She nailed her rendition of “July” by Noah Cyrus so I said that very quietly because I was really glad I didn't mess up,” the Buffalo Grove teen said people are reaching out to her and confirming she did After punching her golden ticket to Hollywood she is in line to join other suburban American Idol alums like Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze of Mount Prospect and Wheeling’s Haley Reinhart Rodrigues was discovered by producer Melissa Elfar where she has been posting since she was 10 Sunday’s “American Idol” episode was taped in October They waited with her at singing lessons and getting her first guitar “My mom and dad both supported me so much with music and making sure that I'm always believing in myself and that my dreams are never too big,” she said Music has been a powerful connection between Rodrigues and her father She also credits her choir teachers at Stevenson as well as private singing teacher Sarah Hibbard “I always use music as the way to connect people and help people,” she said “I personally just only like singing mostly songs that have really strong messages My main goal with singing is that I hope people can feel something when they listen to my music and it helps them.” Her musical influences include singer and rapper Post Malone She said she and her dad attended one of his concerts “I love that he doesn't put himself in a box,” she said admiring his ability to move among different genres She was recently accepted by the University of Southern California — being in Los Angeles will lead to more opportunities She is also working on an EP with producer John Merikoski Rodrigues said she would love to tour in Brazil and sing songs in Portuguese — her parents are Brazilian and she is fluent in the language “I see myself 10 years from now releasing a bunch of original music,” she said “I see myself going on tours and connecting with people around the world.” known for its festivals celebrating apples will give visitors something else to celebrate — Lake Michigan water Long Grove is expected to approve an intergovernmental agreement Tuesday allowing the village to buy water from Buffalo Grove Buffalo Grove trustees on Monday approved their end of the bargain which calls for Long Grove to receive up to 260,000 gallons per day for up to 20 years Buffalo Grove officials estimate initial revenue at $80,000 annually Long Grove Village Manager Chris Sparkman said the water will serve the downtown district which currently is served by a deep well — only one subdivision in the village receives Lake Michigan water through Lake County Buffalo Grove Deputy Village Manager and Director of Public Works Michael Skibbe said the village will apply the funds toward village infrastructure improvements He said the village is able to sell water because it has excess capacity as the result of a reduction in water usage The connection would cross Arlington Heights Road north of Thompson Boulevard The water will be fed to the Long Grove reservoir through a protective air gap Long Grove would have to build a new connection pipe Sparkman said Long Grove would receive a $960,000 federal grant secured by Rep It is the second such agreement for Buffalo Grove which will sell water to the Pekara/Horatio Gardens subdivisions in Lake County Sparkman said Long Grove was looking at costly retrofitting of the existing well system if the village didn’t latch onto Buffalo Grove Construction is expected to start this year and be ready by next year Buffalo Grove trustees voted this week to impose a 1% local tax on groceries when the state’s 1% tax expires on Jan Village officials said that by not taking action Buffalo Grove would lose approximately $1.4 million in annual revenue for its general operating fund “The $1.4 million is approximately 13.6% of our state sales tax and 2.9% of general fund operating revenue overall,” Finance Director Chris Black said at Monday’s village board meeting The village has four large grocery stores — Woodman's Food Market Jewel and Garden Fresh — with a fifth on the way a CVS and several small independent grocers Suburban communities that have enacted local grocery taxes include Palatine Carol Stream and Lake Zurich each agreed this week to enact a tax “Given the fact that I think we're going to be getting less money down the road from the state of Illinois we have to look out for our own good and our residents as well,” Trustee Lester Ottenheimer III said Village trustees expressed particular concern about the impact on a 2016 revenue-sharing agreement with Woodman's Buffalo Grove will share up to $7 million in sales tax revenue generated by the store Officials estimate grocery sales represent approximately 68% of Woodman's taxable sales Trustee David Weidenfeld noted that the agreement reimburses Woodman's for funding significant infrastructure improvements at the intersection of Deerfield Parkway and Milwaukee Avenue Trustee Joanne Johnson said the municipal grocery tax does not raise taxes but allows the village to fund essential village services such as public safety snow removal and infrastructure maintenance “The state of Illinois is once again playing a shell game with municipal funding,” she said “They’re eliminating a tax that was never theirs to give away and leaving local governments to clean up the mess.” Democratic state lawmakers gathered Sunday in Buffalo Grove as part of a four-stop bus tour of Chicago and the suburbs to speak out against cuts in federal funding “We have a federal government that is attacking everything that we hold dear,” state Rep Daniel Didech of Buffalo Grove said during the “For The People” bus tour stop at the Mike Rylko Community Park amphitheater Didech said Illinois is “as best situated as we can possibly be to push back” with Gov JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul as well as Democratic supermajorities in the state House and Senate Adriane Johnson of Buffalo Grove said despite “irresponsible financial cuts” from the Trump administration state legislators would continue to fund education services to immigrants and homeless people the salaries of essential workers and affordable housing “We’re going to work with the governor to make sure that we have a budget that works for all Illinoisans,” she said Mark Walker of Arlington Heights told the crowd the state faces losses of up to $5 billion in federal funding representing about 10% of Illinois' budget who represents a district that includes Rosemont an idea that failed to win voter support in a 2020 statewide referendum we have the fifth most regressive tax system,” he said “That means we put more of the burden of funding our government on the backs of the middle class the working class and the poor than all but 45 other states.” “The idea of taxing the rich is absurd,” said Mark Rice a Palatine Republican who unsuccessfully challenged U.S Raja Krishnamoorthi in the November election “The rich are leaving this state in droves moving to Florida and other friendlier states A new breed of restaurant in Buffalo Grove opened its doors Tuesday at the northeast corner of Lake-Cook and McHenry roads occupies the spot formerly inhabited by the International House of Pancakes A separate access ushers owners and their dogs into a patio while the doorways to the restaurant have door handles in the shape of dog bones Village officials and representatives from the Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Buffalo Grove Village President Eric Smith said residents have repeatedly asked about the opening “This restaurant is poised to make a significant impact on the local dining scene,” he said a generous selection of craft beers and an innovative menu cooked up by Executive Chef Tyler Hernandez Lazy Dog expects customers and pets alike to lap up its culinary offerings Hernandez said he is particularly proud of the bison meat loaf Other menu items include the spring pea hummus and the cauliflower ceviche The doggy bowls offer chicken and beef options with white or brown rice Guests at the ribbon cutting had a taste of what customers have in store brussels sprouts and lemon pepper tater tots Two Buffalo Grove police dogs and their handlers joined the festivities therapy dog Grady with Deputy Chief Brian Spolar and K9 Mac with Officer Shannon McMillon executive director of the Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce said he has taken his dog to the Lazy Dog in Vernon Hills You can have your dog out in public and feel relaxed,” he said There is also a local restaurant history connection General Manager Matt Mitroff was service manager at Winberie’s Restaurant and Bar Mitroff said Lazy Dog is helping out the charity Open Heart Magic by donating $3,370 to the cause Village trustees are hopeful the new restaurant will attract other restaurants particularly at The Clove development across the street Lazy Dog’s opening is coinciding with Wednesday’s opening of Wild Fork at the southeast corner across the street and the opening of Jamba Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s up the street in The Clove A 61-year-old Buffalo Grove man is being held on weapons charges after police found weapons and ammunition in his possession while investigating a shots fired report Kevin Smith is charged with aggravated assault aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm Police said officers responded to the Chevy Chase Apartments on the 1300 block of Johnson Drive at about 12:14 a.m Thursday on a report of an armed robbery that later was classified as a man with a gun call officers spoke with a witness who reported hearing a gunshot before being confronted by a man armed with a shotgun Police said officers found a spent shotgun shell outside the address After receiving a description of the man from the witness officers searched the apartment building and the suspect as Smith Officers found several weapons and ammunition A Buffalo Grove home is uninhabitable after a fire Monday afternoon Buffalo Grove fire crews were dispatched to the 300 block of Timber Hill Road at 4:20 p.m following reports of smoke outside the single-family residence Firefighters arrived within minutes to find the two-story home engulfed in flames that were beginning to spread to the house next door While some firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to the neighboring house others entered the residence to extinguish the blaze and search for occupants who might have been trapped inside The blaze was extinguished within approximately 30 minutes The two-story home sustained significant smoke and heat damage throughout its second floor The cause of the fire remains under investigation Buffalo Grove is conducting a resident survey to gather input on local government services and measure the quality of life in the village Surveys were mailed to randomly selected households on Wednesday with a public link to be made available in the coming weeks through the village's newsletter “Your participation is invaluable as we strive to improve services,” said Village President Eric Smith contact Assistant Village Manager Tyler Grace at tgrace@vbg.org or 847-459-2506 Buffalo Grove trustees this week approved a contract with Addison-based Frederick Quinn Construction for the reconstruction of Fire Station 25 at 505 W Fire Chief Larry Kane told the village board Tuesday Quinn was the low bidder among three applicants which included Camosy Construction and Leopardo Construction while Camosy’s came in at $748,055.80 and Leopardo’s at $968,262.84 The estimated construction cost of the project the construction manager and contingencies is estimated at $10.5 million to $11 million Kane said Quinn impressed village staff by recommending efficiencies in the rebuilding process Once all construction documents have been finalized a guaranteed maximum price will be negotiated with the construction management firm The 50-year-old Station 25 is being demolished to make way for a new 16,000-square-foot facility personnel and equipment will be temporarily housed at the old public works facility at 51 Raupp Boulevard Minutes after Wild Fork opened its Buffalo Grove location Wednesday morning customers began filling their baskets with meat Buffalo Grove resident Tim Monsen helped himself to skirt steaks and a tomahawk ribeye He is stocking up on some meat to grill over the summer at the southeast corner of Lake-Cook and McHenry roads which also has locations in Mount Prospect It sells more than 700 varieties of meat and seafood Wild Fork spokeswoman Valentina MacDonald said you can get such exotic offerings as alligator The store offers Wagyu beef from Japan and Australia “We have a selection that ranges from affordable everyday all the way to exotic premium “We want to be the first place you think of for meat and seafood “It’s the best selection of meat and seafood under one roof.” “The quality of the meat is really good,” Monsen said “It defrosts well and still tastes amazing.” “It’s faster and colder than traditional methods.” MacDonald said the customer actually is the first person to defrost that product “It’s cutting-edge technology,” store General Manager Jim Rott said was eyeing some sweet and smoky chicken breast strips “I’ve been waiting forever for this to open MacDonald said the April 26 grand opening will showcase the store’s meats Key lime pie from Florida also will be served there will be a balloon artist and lessons on how to cook steaks A Philadelphia firm has been chosen to design a nearly one-acre park for The Clove development near Lake-Cook and McHenry roads in Buffalo Grove The Buffalo Grove Village Board Monday voted to hire Wallace Roberts & Todd LLC for approximately $108,000 Community Development Director Nicole Woods said the firm will engage in a four-month process to gather community and stakeholder input before arriving at a final concept plan and public reveal There is a lot of development happening,” said Woods alluding to the opening of The 250 Residences and the addition of new businesses planning and architecture firm has worked across the country on projects ranging in scope from nearly a half-acre to 4,000 acres Projects included Ashland Zocalo Park near San Francisco “This is really our front door,” Trustee Frank Cesario said “We need somebody who knows how to do this and who can make beautiful things out of a small space Woods anticipated about a year for construction Trustee Joanne Johnson noted the significance of the park in the grand scheme of the mixed-use development “It’s integral to the success of that space because people can buy food and go sit down and watch performances or entertainment and it will become a gathering spot,” she said A family-style restaurant that was founded in Chicago more than a century ago before becoming a fixture in Buffalo Grove is closing The Buffalo Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor Donato and his team announced the pending change this week with mailers that customers have since shared on social media “After 120 years of history & 35 years in Buffalo Grove Buffalo Restaurant is closing,” the flyers read The Buffalo launched at the corner of Irving Park and Pulaski roads on Chicago’s Northwest Side in the early 1900s when it moved to a freestanding building in a shopping center on the northeast corner of Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights roads The brown brick building with teal awnings is highly visible to motorists crossing through the intersection and is a landmark for anyone giving directions to a destination in that part of town It also offered dishes catering to the area’s Jewish community the Buffalo’s frozen treats have been the big draw shakes and malts are whipped up behind an old-fashioned counter at the back of the restaurant Donato bought the restaurant about six years ago Visits with his daughter inspired him to buy the place a veteran restaurateur who’s also behind Anna’s Red Apple in Palatine which already had been down since the Dominick’s supermarket that was the anchor of the shopping center shuttered years earlier Some of the restaurant’s older customers never returned after the pandemic Donato said he might not be done with the site “This concept is not the right concept here “It’s just a matter of putting together the pieces.” As word of the pending closure spread this week, members of a Facebook group focused on life in Buffalo Grove shared memories of visits to the Buffalo One woman called it a staple of her childhood Another person told of taking his mother to the Buffalo to reveal his wife was pregnant with their first child Village President Eric Smith on Friday thanked Donato and the Buffalo staff for being part of the community for so many years “I wish the owners well in their next chapter,” Smith said through a spokesperson The Buffalo reduced its operating hours starting this week under the direction of Michelle Carrison and assistant Hannah Vaselaney will take the stage for their highly anticipated annual dance show This dynamic performance will feature 20 unique dances highlighting the versatility of Orchesis dancers in ballet Fifteen of the pieces are choreographed by students while five showcase the artistry of professional guest choreographers from the Chicago area including Eduardo Zambrana of Giordano Dance Chicago; Sarah O’Keeffe of Solariumdance; Sara Ford Hardy a renowned Chicagoland dancer and choreographer; and Chris Xayarath a hip-hop choreographer currently performing at Disney World A special highlight of the show is the ADAGIO dance featuring a group of 12 Buffalo Grove student-athletes performing alongside Orchesis members Tickets will be available for students at a discounted rate of $7 during show week audience members can participate in a nightly raffle contact Orchesis Director Michelle Carrison 2025 at 12:16 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Denice Bocek has more than 30 years of work experience in commercial real estate development/construction IL — Ahead of the April 1 consolidated municipal elections Buffalo Grove provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot Three four-year trustee seats and one two-year trustee seat on the Buffalo Grove Village Board will be up for election in April The 2025 Consolidated Election will take place on Tuesday Lester Ottenheimer and Denice Bocek are all running for reelection while Paulette Greenberg will be on the ballot to gain a seat Buffalo Grove Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): N/A Does anyone in your family work in politics or government This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design-NIU 30+Years in Commercial Real Estate Development/ Construction manage my own boutique real estate consulting business Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office I am an incumbent Trustee and was appointed in October The most pressing issues facing our (board and this is what I intend to do about them The Village Hall and Police Facility require upgrades to meet the growing needs of our community and inadequate for current staffing and operational demands and insufficient space for staff and community use these shortcomings hinder our ability to deliver the high-quality services our residents expect and deserve Addressing these deficiencies is essential for long-term sustainability and operational efficiency constructed in the late 1980s with no expansions since 1997 is now undersized by approximately 40% based on current needs This space constraint affects the police department's ability to maintain its high standard of service there are concerns about the building's physical condition and security Upgrades to the Village Hall and Police Headquarters will require careful review of the needs I will continue to advocate for responsible spending while also providing the high level of service required of our community What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post My 3 decades of commercial real estate development and construction management experience and 12 year tenure on the Buffalo Grove Plan Commission (served as Secretary and Vice Chairman) make me uniquely qualified to serve the Buffalo Grove Community I currently hold IL State licenses as a Real Estate Broker and Interior Designer As the owner of a boutique real estate consulting firm I understand both business development and community needs I was able to utilize my real estate contacts and introduce Rivian to the Buffalo Grove team Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform Addressing this challenge requires a focus on maintaining critical infrastructure and ensuring sustainable funding Prioritizing capital investments is essential to meet ongoing infrastructure needs Buffalo Grove must continue diversifying revenue streams through economic development the Infrastructure Modernization Program (IMP) has been a cornerstone of the Village’s strategy measures like the approved water/sewer rate increases aim to fund long term improvements without increasing property taxes These strategies will help Buffalo Grove maintain and enhance service levels while navigating financial pressures I support strong fiscal management that protects taxpayer interests and enhanced quality of life through our beautiful open spaces and services I support our forward-thinking ideals including investment in infrastructure continued economic growth and a strong sense of community What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job As a part of my real estate development experience I was asked to fill a role as Community Liaison for a high profile mixed use development in Chicago where I successfully lead all collaboration communication and relationship management with the members of the community I will hit the ground running and continue to be a very productive and effective Trustee I have a proven 30 year track record in Buffalo Grove of being an active member of our community member of the VBG Plan Commission and an advocate for animals I have shown my ability to be a leader in our community I pride myself in being an honest person and an advocate for our community and taxpayers what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success I will consider my term a success if the following remains true at the end of my 4 years in office; Buffalo Grove preserves its AAA Bond rating continued re-investment in the (IMP) infrastructure modernization program the strategic economic development momentum progresses and the expansion is completed for two fire stations government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking I support strong fiscal management that protects taxpayer interests including; long term planning cost cutting and intergovernmental cost sharing Due to our responsible management of taxpayer dollars and forward thinking the Village is able to recognize favorable rates and strong buying power for financing capital projects we will increase our revenue through strategic economic growth and development in our TIF districts This will help Buffalo Grove to maintain our reserves and/or offset cost increases which may arise The Village of Buffalo Grove has a AAA Bond rating (S&P) and a strong fiscal standing The Village has been awarded for excellence in financial reporting for the annual financial audit by the Government Finance Officers Association Buffalo Grove has received this honor for 42 consecutive years What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town BG has historically had very low crime rates particularly crimes against persons and crimes of violence This is largely attributed to our police department’s commitment to innovative community policing strategies and strong partnerships with our community our police department will continue to emphasize public engagement and collaboration while demonstrating timely communication and transparency it’s very important to take proactive measures to include general law enforcement community engagement and implementation of sound policies and best practices BGPD has incorporated these fundamental principles into their mission and service delivery What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development As a trustee with extensive real estate development experience I bring valuable industry insight to Buffalo Grove's growth initiatives I strongly support strategic economic development that enhances our tax base while preserving our community's distinctive character balanced development approaches that create vibrant mixed-use spaces where businesses thrive alongside residential neighborhoods I am committed to continuing our positive development momentum through projects that strengthen our local economy and position Buffalo Grove for long-term prosperity I support enhanced quality of life through our beautiful open spaces what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents What will need to be done to make this happen The residents are looking for revitalization of the older commercial areas in Buffalo Grove Some of these areas are in the TIF districts which will encourage owners to make improvements to their property look at adaptive re-use options and attract new tenants The value creation thresholds of the developer/ owner in the TIF districts are at no cost to the taxpayer staff and the property owners on possible strategies to revitalize these properties Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office not to respond." When you truly listen with the intention of understanding another person's perspective — rather than simply waiting for your turn to speak or formulating your response — you create space for genuine connection and learning What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions I am a dedicated member of the Village Board with a commitment to community service and a passion for Buffalo Grove I volunteer my time to help homeless animals by advocating for animal rights against cruelty and neglect animal transports and I currently serve as a Board Member for St Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 12:11 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Paulette Greenberg is a retired insurance adjuster and part-time drivers' education instructor Buffalo Grove Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot Buffalo Grove is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim Office Sought: Trustee on Buffalo Grove Village Board Campaign website: Facebook No members of my family work in politics or government Retired insurance adjuster/part-time drivers' education instructor Courting new businesses to current empty lots and empty storefronts We have several high-volume intersections that are ripe for redevelopment I will support policies to increase economic development A strong business community is important to the financial health of the Village I have demonstrated my commitment to the Village through my 30 years of volunteering on committees and in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency) The current board has not failed the community in my opinion They have steered the Village forward with repurposing an existing building for the Public Works department Rebranding the Village's logo makes the area more relevant and appealing to younger generations The new colorful logo may attract potential developers and businesses Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform Housing: There are two new apartment developments underway The proposed rents will be $1900 upwards to $3,000+ per month I know of many seniors in the area who would like to downsize/sell their homes But for those seniors who receive less than $2000 a month in social security benefits it is not feasible for them to live in these new buildings I would like to include lower-priced rentals with any future housing developments I served on the Buffalo Grove Days Commission for 28 years/I was the co-chair for 22 years I created ( with Penny Novy) the Buffalo Grove Farmers Market in 2009 I completed 16 years of managing this market as of 2024 I was a member of the Buffalo Grove 50th Anniversary Committee I was named Rotary Person of the Year in 2009 I have been a Cook County Election Judge for several elections I am a coordinator of special events with Arlington Heights Frontier Days I have successfully proven my capabilities of leadership with the co-chairing of Buffalo Grove Days and the creation of the Farmers Market required a keen understanding of details and coordination between vendors A Trustee must have the courage to challenge or speak up when seeking information on various issues Success in getting lower rentals for seniors seeking housing in the area would be a great accomplishment A recent AAA bond rating shows how well the Village manages finances Pension payments are made in a timely manner Reserves are strong and the future development of Village buildings has been carefully planned Our crime rates are low due to our effective police department Police officers are visible in local schools and the general area Residents have great confidence in the police department Buffalo Grove currently has two large developments under construction Both developments will add retail and apartment housing to the community Keeping the infrastructure up to date is very important — roads especially for seniors who wish to downsize from their current homes Residents want the local shopping centers to improve parking lots and sidewalk areas Residents want empty storefronts to hold businesses or be reinvented for different use - This may involve changing building codes you will never know if you could have succeeded I am excited of the opportunity to join the Board of Trustees as we move forward in the coming years Vandals tagged the new Tesla dealership in Buffalo Grove with offensive graffiti painted on its glass windows chiding President Donald Trump and his senior adviser The messages read: “TRUMP SOLD US,” an expletive before the words “ELON MUSK” and “TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS.” A couple of workers spent Saturday morning cleaning off the graffiti from the windows The 50,000-square-foot Tesla sales and service center is close to opening It is part of the Bison Crossing development at the former Rohrman property on Dundee Road near Old Arlington Heights Road The 16-acre site on Dundee Road between Old Arlington Heights Road and Bison Park also will be home to a 224-unit apartment building and 30,000 to 40,000 square feet of retail space Shorewood Development Group plans to invest roughly $100 million to revive the property that has sat dormant for nearly 14 years Shorewood founding partner and CEO Louis Schriber III could not immediately be reached for comment A Tesla company spokesperson also could not be reached 2025 at 1:49 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The fire was extinguished within approximately 30 minutes IL — A fire that left a home uninhabitable last week remains under investigation Firefighters were dispatched to the 300 block of Timber Hill at around 4:20 p.m for a report of smoke in a fire outside a single-family home Firefighters arrived on scene within minutes and found fire in the two-story home the fire was spreading to the house next door The alarm was upgraded once for additional assistance Companies quickly extinguished the fire outside that was spreading next door while additional fire companies began an aggressive interior attack The smoke and heat damage throughout the second floor of the home left it uninhabitable 2025 at 9:41 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Joanne Johnson ​has worked in marketing communications for nonprofits in various capacities for 42 years RELATED: Buffalo Grove Candidates File For 2025 Consolidated Election while challenger Paulette Greenberg will also be on the ballot to gain a seat Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/jj4vb... Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): This is a non-partisan race My daughter-in-law is an engineer for the City of Elmhurst Marketing communications for nonprofits - in various capacities for 42 years Buffalo Grove Village Trustee; Buffalo Grove Planning and Zoning Commission; Vice President and Treasurer of the Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board; Buffalo Grove Days Committee; Buffalo Grove 50th Anniversary Committee; Board President for Buffalo Grove-based nonprofit GiveNKind; Chair for the Hope Outreach Program Endowment Fund One of the most pressing issues facing our village is the financial strain caused by unfunded state mandates our share of state income tax has been reduced while new legislative requirements continue to put pressure on our local budget A major concern is the pension crisis—specifically potential changes to Tier 2 pensions for police and fire personnel which could have serious financial consequences for Buffalo Grove and municipalities across Illinois I am committed to advocating for our community Through my work with the Northwest Suburban Municipal Conference and direct engagement with state lawmakers I fight for policies that protect Buffalo Grove’s financial future I support responsible fiscal planning to ensure we continue delivering high-quality services to residents we can navigate these challenges and secure a strong future for our village What sets me apart as a candidate is my lifelong dedication to public service and my deep-rooted commitment to Buffalo Grove I have had the honor of serving as a Village Trustee for nearly 10 years and have volunteered with the Village for decades always striving to make our community stronger and more connected I led the successful referendum to create the Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board—the first in Lake County—and collaborated with the Wheeling Township referendum committee to advocate for essential services I help connect essential new products with nonprofits across Chicagoland thanks to the generosity of businesses and volunteers we distributed over $17 million in goods to organizations supporting those in need Whether it’s been volunteering as a room mom to serving as an elected Trustee With decades of experience in leadership and service I remain committed to working for our village’s future and ensuring Buffalo Grove continues to thrive Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: Through strategic planning and partnerships and I am committed to continuing this progress my platform is built on responsible growth Economic development has been a cornerstone of my work We’ve successfully brought major investments to Buffalo Grove including Woodman’s and the Shops of Buffalo Grove boosting tax revenue without increasing the burden on residents Strategic agreements with industrial businesses have encouraged relocations to BG and expansions of existing businesses strengthening our commercial tax base and taking pressure off of our residents The complete redevelopment of Town Center into The Clove has energized that entire area with a soon-to-open Lazy Dog and Wild Fork the Dundee Corridor is energized with new properties replacing ones that had been vacant for a decade Financial responsibility remains a top priority the Village has maintained an AAA bond rating and held the property tax levy flat for six years while continuing to deliver high-quality services The opening of our new Public Works facility and the rebuild of Fire Station 25 demonstrate how sound planning ensures essential services remain strong Transparency and community involvement are central to effective governance Buffalo Grove operates with an open-door policy ensuring residents are informed and engaged in decision-making I have always believed that government works best when it listens to and involves its community we have included residents in the strategic planning process in the development of the Lake-Cook Corridor and Prairie View Station area plans as well as the creation of a new brand for the Village I am running for re-election to finish what I started and deep understanding of Buffalo Grove’s needs allow me to continue driving responsible growth and ensuring a vibrant community to call home I am ready to build on our success and keep Buffalo Grove moving forward I have been serving as a Buffalo Grove Village Trustee for nearly 10 years the Village has seen tremendous economic growth and strategic redevelopment—all while maintaining high-quality services for residents One of my biggest accomplishments has been driving responsible economic development we have enjoyed over $500,000,000 in private investment in the Village— greatly expanding our tax base without increasing the financial burden on residents These efforts have strengthened Buffalo Grove’s economy and positioned us for long-term success Fiscal responsibility has been another key focus Buffalo Grove has maintained an AAA bond rating and held the property tax levy flat for six years Smart financial planning has allowed us to invest in critical infrastructure including the new Public Works facility and the rebuild of Fire Station 25 I have worked to enhance community well-being I spearheaded the referendum to establish the Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board—the first of its kind in Lake County—ensuring that critical mental health resources are available to those in need I help connect essential new products with local charities we distributed over $17 million in goods to nonprofits across Chicagoland supporting individuals and families in need I have always championed transparency and community engagement The Village has strengthened its commitment to open government keeping residents informed and involved in key decisions Buffalo Grove’s success over the past decade is a testament to strong leadership and strategic planning and I am ready to continue delivering results that keep our village moving forward Voters should trust me because I have a proven track record of leadership I have worked tirelessly to make Buffalo Grove stronger and a dynamic community where you can live I work best in a collaborative environment My experience serving on several boards has taught me that open communication and a results-driven approach are key to effective governance My goal is to prioritize common ground among board members through respectful dialogue I have learned that research-based decisions are a best practice This proved extremely successful in developing BG’s new brand as well as development policies such as the Lake Cook Corridor Plan and by focusing on solutions rather than obstacles I find myself engaging in productive discussions that result in forward-thinking decisions I believe an elected official must be transparent and engaged with the community Our Community Champions program is a great example of healthy open communication with our residents and businesses I want the residents to fully understand my stance Buffalo Grove’s success over the past decade is no coincidence—it’s the result of strong Voters can trust that I will continue working hard and always prioritizing what’s best for our community success will mean continuing the progress Buffalo Grove has made in economic development I want to build on the strong foundation we’ve created and ensure that our village remains financially stable A key measure of success will be the continued redevelopment of our commercial corridors Expanding our revitalization efforts will strengthen our tax base and enhance our local economy—all while keeping property taxes low for residents Another priority is maintaining Buffalo Grove’s commitment to top-tier municipal facilities and services The completion of the new Public Works facility and the upcoming Fire Station 25 rebuild represent critical investments in public safety and infrastructure I want to ensure these projects are fully optimized serving our residents efficiently while maintaining our village’s high standard of operations success means sustaining Buffalo Grove’s AAA bond rating and financial stability allowing us to invest in the future without burdening taxpayers Smart fiscal planning has kept our tax levy flat for six years and I will continue to advocate for responsible budgeting that prioritizes essential services while avoiding unnecessary financial strain on residents I also want to expand community engagement and ensure that transparency remains a pillar of local government Residents should always feel informed and have opportunities to be involved in decisions that shape our village success means that Buffalo Grove continues to thrive—economically and I am committed to ensuring that Buffalo Grove continues its strong financial management while delivering high-quality services to residents Our village has maintained a solid financial position by managing debt responsibly and making strategic pension contributions ensuring long-term stability without increasing the property tax levy for six consecutive years This demonstrates our ability to plan for the future without placing an additional burden on taxpayers With an unassigned fund balance exceeding our 35% reserve goal we have built financial resilience that allows us to invest in key areas like infrastructure and economic development while remaining fiscally sound Buffalo Grove operates with the lowest staffing levels among comparable communities ensuring that we are maximizing taxpayer dollars without compromising essential services and eliminate inefficiencies to maintain a balanced budget My approach to fiscal policy is simple: responsible budgeting we will continue to provide top-notch services and keep Buffalo Grove financially strong for years to come Buffalo Grove is proud to be one of the safest communities in the region This is a direct result of our highly trained and professional police department which remains committed to proactive policing and crime prevention.Our Village’s Community Relations Unit plays a key role in fostering strong relationships between law enforcement and residents and collaboration with local organizations and address concerns before they escalate into larger issues we must support and invest in our police force and technology needed to respond effectively strengthening community partnerships and encouraging residents to remain engaged through neighborhood watch programs and reporting suspicious activity will further enhance public safety While violent crime remains rare in Buffalo Grove and fostering strong relationships between law enforcement and residents we can continue ensuring Buffalo Grove remains a safe place to live Our current economic development strategies have proven to be extremely successful as evidenced by the impressive progress we’ve made in areas like the Lake-Cook Road corridor These strategies have helped attract high-quality businesses and maintain a flat tax levy for six consecutive years I’m always open to considering new approaches if there’s an opportunity that benefits Buffalo Grove and its residents If a new type of incentive or approach can aid a particular business and further our community’s growth I firmly believe in the principle that “if it isn’t broken don’t fix it.” Our current strategies are working and I see no reason to depart from an approach that’s already yielding outstanding results By staying flexible and receptive to innovative ideas while continuing to build on what has been successful we can keep Buffalo Grove moving forward optimally ensuring long-term prosperity for generations to come we will continue doing what works while staying receptive to fresh when we build on a proven formula and remain agile enough to consider alternatives we pave the way for an even brighter future for Buffalo Grove Buffalo Grove has made tremendous strides in economic development but there are still key areas for improvement that residents want to see revitalized Two prime locations that present great opportunities for redevelopment are Chase Plaza and Cambridge Commons These sites have the potential to bring much-needed retail and entertainment options that enhance our community and support local businesses the Village must continue fostering strong relationships with developers and property owners while ensuring that projects align with resident needs and long-term planning goals This means offering strategic incentives when appropriate and streamlining approval processes to encourage investment in these areas smart redevelopment requires a balance of economic viability and community input Engaging residents in planning discussions will help ensure that any new development complements Buffalo Grove’s character and meets the desires of our community With the success of projects like The Clove and the redevelopment of the Dundee Corridor we have a proven track record of attracting high-quality investments and other underutilized sites into thriving destinations that benefit the entire village If you want to keep Buffalo Grove moving forward I have a proven track record of fiscal responsibility If you believe in responsible financial management that keeps taxes low while investing in essential services—vote for me pro-business development that strengthens our local economy and enhances our community—vote for me transparent decisions in the best interest of all residents—vote for me 2025 at 11:11 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Polls closed at 7 p.m IL — Four candidates were vying for three seats on the Buffalo Grove Village Board in Tuesday's local election it appears current trustees Joanne Johnson Lester Ottenheimer and Denice Bocek retained their seats who is vice chair of the village's planning and zoning commission ran unopposed for a two-year seat on the board former Trustee Gregory Pike resigned from the board as he moved and Bocek is finishing out the first two years of the term worked in marketing communications for nonprofits in various capacities She has been on the Village Board since 2015 Ottenheimer has been a practicing attorney for more than 40 years and is a managing member of Ottenheimer Law Group He has been on the Village Board since 2011 Bocek has more than 30 years of work experience in commercial real estate development and construction She has been a member of the Village Board since 2023 RELATED: 4 Candidates Vie For Buffalo Grove Village Board — 2025 Election Two passing motorists called 9-1-1 when a suspect was observed spray painting words that were anti-Trump and pro-transgender rights last week on the wall of a future Tesla dealership building in Buffalo Grove according to a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney at a First Appearance hearing Wednesday The first reporting witness was a passing motorist who was westbound on Dundee Road 2025 to report that a woman was spray painting words on the north wall of the Tesla dealership building at 915 West Dundee Road in Buffalo Grove a second reporting witness pulled into an adjacent parking lot and let their dash camera record the crime capturing images of the vandalism in progress Buffalo Grove police officers arrived; and discovered suspect Erin L four cans of spray paint purchased at Menards and a Menards receipt for the spray paint cans White admitted spray painting the building and admitted buying the spray paint cans at Menards according to the Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney The suspect is accused of using white spray paint to write obscenities on the Tesla dealership and promote transgender rights as human rights The words “Trump sold us” were also spray painted on glass at the dealership “F**K ELON MUSK” was spray painted on the wall panels of the building and this act was the most expensive to repair Buffalo Grove police arrested suspect Erin L White immediately in the vandalism and trespassing case Friday following the in-progress crime witnessed in broad daylight at the Tesla dealership Located at the southeast corner of Dundee Road and Old Arlington Height Road and there was no vehicle inventory at the location The dealership construction is near completion was charged with Trespassing and Criminal Damage to Property and the cost to repaint defaced wall panels was $7,100 according to the Cook County State’s Attorney and instead stood next to a public defender before the Honorable Ellen B Third Municipal District – Rolling Meadows The suspect was released pre-trial according to Pretrial Fairness Act guidelines Pre-trial conditions include forbidding any contact with the victim Shorewood Property Group (Tesla Inc Center); and an order to stay away from any and all Tesla dealerships or face immediate jail time in Cook County jail charged with Criminal Trespass to Real Property allegedly remained upon the land of Shorewood Property Group (Tesla Inc Center) located at 915 West Dundee Road in Buffalo Grove after passing and disregarding the posted notice of “No Trespassing” on the fence line surrounding the property also charged with Criminal Damage to Property in that she knowingly and with intent damaged property of Shorewood Property Group (Tesla Inc Center) by spray painting on the property’s outer front north facing walls and windows without the consent of Shorewood Property Group (Tesla Inc Cook County Court records described Erin L White as a female/white 6’2″ 250 LBS with an alias name of Evan White with no alternate description for sex or race for the alias White lives with her family in Buffalo Grove in Cook County within one-half mile of the crime scene and works as a bartender at an establishment in Long Grove Erin White is described as “She/They” with “In Progress Career Change” in a LinkedIn profile Convicted Felon from Arlington Heights Arrested in Downtown Palatine with Cocaine and Pills with Amphetamine Suspected DUI Driver that Dragged Geneva Police Officer “Someday soon we’ll stop to ponder what on earth’s this spell we’re under.” so don’t waste it living someone else’s life Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.” Buffalo Grove village board members have rewarded Village Manager Dane Bragg with a $30,000 bonus for his performance in 2024 Trustees lauded Bragg’s performance at the Feb Trustee Frank Cesario praised Bragg’s leadership He said the village is enjoying record reserves and record capital investment “This village staff engages in very long-term planning We have a village manager who participates throughout all facets of our community,” he said Trustee David Weidenfeld said this is the sixth year that Buffalo Grove has not raised real estate taxes and pointed to the village’s AAA bond rating He said Bragg empowers village staff to come up with creative solutions including using the old public works building as a temporary fire station the proof is in the pudding,” Trustee Lester Ottenheimer III said “We're here because of Dane and our staff.” Sitting Buffalo Grove trustees appeared headed to victory Tuesday night in their quest to retain their seats Joanne Johnson and Lester Ottenheimer III led challenger Paulette Greenberg in the race for three 4-year seats Johnson led the field with 1,612 votes in unofficial tallies with Bocek running second with 1,525 and Ottenheimer a close third with 1,524 but Lake County votes had not been fully tallied Ottenheimer said he thought the majority of voters cast their ballots based on the progress of the village “I think they're happy with how things are and have confidence in us that we will continue to lead the village in a good place,” he said “It was almost like a referendum on all of the plans that we've made for the future of Buffalo Grove." who completed the term of former Trustee Gregory Pike “I'm honored that the community has spoken and they want me to continue working,” she said Greenberg said she appreciated the people who had confidence in her and voted for her “I’ll see them at the farmers market this summer,” she said referring to the Buffalo Grove Farmers Market the current trustees touted the village’s economic development and fiscal strength They pointed to the redevelopment of the Town Center into The Clove Buffalo Grove’s investment in infrastructure and the village’s AAA bond rating and avoidance of property tax increases Bocek emphasized her experience in real estate development and construction and her previous service on what was then called the plan commission She also noted her contribution to the village’s code update to increase minimum care standards for animals Johnson campaigned on her leadership during her nearly nine years on the village board she served on the planning and zoning commission She also lobbied Vernon Township officials to put the successful referendum for the Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board on the ballot Ottenheimer has served nearly 14 years as trustee Before that he was on the village’s plan commission he promoted his knowledge of how the village works He said he wanted to finish what he started keep economic development growing and increase the village’s tax base Greenberg ran on her long history of volunteerism It includes 28 years on the village’s Buffalo Grove Days Committee She has also managed the Buffalo Grove Farmers Market for the past 16 years Greenberg said she would like to give more representation to the Cook County side of Buffalo Grove 2025 at 7:45 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Kevin Smith is being held by police pending a pre-trial detention hearing set for Friday The Lake County State's Attorney's Office approved the charges (Buffalo Grove Police Department)BUFFALO GROVE is accused of fleeing police following an initial call of an armed robbery and was arrested following the early Thursday incident Smith is being held by police pending a pre-trial detention hearing set for Friday The Lake County State's Attorney's Office approved the charges police were dispatched to the 1300 block of Johnson Drive (Chevy Chase Apartments) for what was initially reported as an armed robbery but later classified as a man with a gun call a witness reported hearing a gunshot and was then confronted by a male with a shotgun immediately after The male ordered entry into the building and then left the witness behind A spent shotgun shell was located outside the address by police After the witness gave a description of the suspect to police officers searched the apartment building for him Police determined the suspect who matched the description was Smith who fled the scene on foot but was apprehended nearby and taken into custody a short time later Smith was in possession of several weapons and ammunition including a shotgun which were recovered by police There were no reported injuries or property damage Terry Beyna picked up his 400th career head coaching win Tuesday as St Viator knocked off Freeport 9-5 in Arlington Heights who is in his third season as head coach of St spent 20 seasons at Elk Grove before heading to coach the Lions five regional titles and a state appearance in 2006 “When you coach with a guy like Kenny Grams you learn about perspective” said Beyna The demands on being a head coach are as much as they have ever been But the joys of teaching a game like baseball still outweighs those demands.” Winona State commit Brock Harrer leads the Lions with a batting average of .515 while junior Jonathan Tschanz is batting .433 Tschanz had a pair of doubles and drove in four runs in the Lions’ win on Tuesday Brandon Thomsen had a double and a triple and drove in a run while Jacob Oberwise pitched all 7 innings Barrington: The Broncos (5-2-1) are trying to find out who they are right now Aidan Gryzlo had a huge game last week with a grand slam and a double Will Renshaw has thrown 9 2/3 innings for the Broncs and has posted an ERA of 0.72 and a WHIP of 1.13 Buffalo Grove: The Bison (2-7-1) have been road warriors They will continue to be on the road all season thanks to the construction on their new home field which will not be completed until after the season is over picked up his 100th career hit and is batting .467 He is also the team’s top pitcher with 19 1/3 innings and 33 strikeouts who finished second in the state last year in 4A Franklin Kirchner is batting well with three homers and a .423 average with 14 1/3 innings pitched and 32 strikeouts while Max Tutt is at .422 and Jacob Szpiganowicz is batting .400 Elk Grove: With four sophomores on the roster the Grenadiers (1-5) are still looking to work some kinks out Isaac Santowski is batting .500 and has an OPS of 1.071 while Denis Rangel is hitting .389 Four-year starter Myles Schwartz leads the staff with an ERA of 2.00 Fremd: The Vikings (6-0-1) are off to the best start in Chris Piggott’s 23 seasons as head coach with victories over traditional state powers Huntley and New Trier and a tie with defending 3A champion Crystal Lake Central who was hoping his bats would come alive this year Chase Nelson and Vinny Panzino each at .353 and Johnny O’Brien and Caleb Yoon each at .348 Myles Minier and Robby Seifert have combined to fan 48 in 44 innings Hersey: The Huskies (7-01) are off to a fabulous start which is hitting .333 as a team and averaging 7 runs per game had a swing through Missouri and Southern Illinois over spring break and went 4-0 Diego Garcia .483 and Chuck Meister .370 with two homers Bennett McNeill and Keegan Luxem have a combined 90 strikeouts in 57 innings and an ERA of 1.84 Hoffman Estates: After beginning their season 1-8 the Hawks (3-8) have won their last two games by a combined score of 21-2 Leading the way for Hoffman is Derek Conjardi (.357) Colin Karecki (.346) and Luis Tobella (.333) Conjardi has also struck out 19 on the bump with an ERA of 3.45 while Adrian Bello has an ERA of 3.58 Leyden: Sammy Calderon and Hassan Khrawish have been leading the Eagles (3-3) in the early going this season Newcomers Julian Martinez and Angel Gutierrez have been surprises on the diamond for Leyden Maine East: The Demons are 2-4 with a pair of one-run losses Adolfo Lopez is the leader on the bump with 8 innings pitched and 14 strikeouts Maine South: The Hawks (4-5) have played a tough early season schedule and had some successes along the way Constantine Coines has been a leader with his bat and his legs hitting .444 and already has 8 stolen bases Cole Mutchler leads a pitching staff that has an ERA of 3.20 Mutchler is 3-0 on the season with 16 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings and an ERA of 0.51 Maine West: The Warriors (3-6) are off to a slower start due in part to their lack in depth Maine West went 1-3 on their Arizona trip and are led offensively by Perish Smith (.462) who also leads the pitching staff with an ERA of 0.87 Ryan Duffy has 15 strikeouts in 7 innings pitched while Konrad Dudzik has fanned 12 in 12 innings Palatine: New head coach Brent Carroll has the Pirates (6-4) heading the right direction The Pirates are living up to their name with 38 stolen bases Toby Peterson leads the team in hitting with a .391 average and a homer Carter Monroe is batting .346 with 13 runs scored and 6 stolen bases while Ian Sherman is hitting .345 with a home run Peter Mulhern has thrown 18 1/3 innings and has 27 strikeouts and 1.14 ERA Toby Peterson has fanned 26 in just 12 2/3 innings while Brandon Ziebell has struck out 11 and has an ERA of 1.20 Prospect: In his final season as head coach Ross Giusti has his Knights (4-2-1) battling hard again which is hitting .367 as a team with 60 runs scored and Ryan Foley has a 2.30 ERA to lead the pitching staff Rolling Meadows: The Mustangs are stampeding Meadows (10-0) is off to its best start in memory The Mustangs are led by the Schneider brothers — Ryan Sal Paisley is also a key contributor offensively while Cam Wachtel Charlie Hoeper and Tino Savoino have been stalwarts on the mound “The team worked extremely hard in the off-season,” Meadows coach Matt Rice said “The collective mindset is: 'What can I do to help the team win?' It's been a strong start and we are going to continue to focus on executing the things that matter most.” Schaumburg: Hayden Adamowicz has been doing it with his bat and on the mound for the Saxons (4-5) The sophomore has a slash line of .525/.679/.842 Jack Baker is also hitting well at .444/.429/.630 Wheeling: The Wildcats (7-3) are hoping that their bi-annual trip to Disney in Orlando will keep things magical for them Wheeling went 4-1 on the trip and is led offensively by junior Zach Neukirch who is batting .379 with 3 doubles His OPS is 1.075 with a team-leading 12 RBI Freshman Owen Zalewski is hitting .304 with 2 doubles Reid Gerjerts has an OPS of .942 and leads the team with 3 triples while Tyler Zangara is batting .353 Dylan Baloun is 2-1 with a save and has an ERA of 1.56 with 23 strikeouts Freshman Jose Rivera is 2-0 with an ERA of 3.50 while Neukirch has an ERA of 0.78 and has 13 strikeouts Buffalo Grove officials said a pre-teen who went missing late Wednesday has been found safe Buffalo Grove Communications Director Molly Gillespie said in a news release that Jonathan Shin Thursday on the border of Buffalo Grove and Wheeling at Lake Cook Road Gillespie said Shin there was no evidence of anything criminal taking place and the boy had been returned to his family Buffalo Grove Police Department announced the boy was missing late Wednesday and was seeking help from the public to find him Police said Shin was last seen leaving his residence on Newton Court to walk the family dog The dog was returned to the home by a neighbor after being found loose The dog returning home by itself prompted a search for the boy Police said in the news release Shin is 5-foot tall and approximately 90 pounds and last seen wearing brown-framed glasses a tan/white Nike sweatshirt and black sweatpants Police blanketed social media with flyers seeking the missing boy and performed an investigation into his whereabouts In the follow-up release after the boy was found police said they wished to extend their gratitude to the Buffalo Grove and the extended community for the outpouring of support in sharing the missing person notice and helping amplify search efforts A suspect was taken into custody after police say he fired a shotgun outside an apartment building in Buffalo Grove and then fled on foot from officers Thursday morning The Buffalo Grove Police Department responded around 12:14 a.m Thursday to the Chevy Chase Apartments in the 1300 block of Johnson Drive Police officials said it was initially reported as an armed robbery and then classified as a man with a gun call A witness told responding officers they heard a gunshot and were then confronted by a male subject armed with a shotgun The subject ordered entry into the building and then left the witness behind A spent shotgun shell was located outside the building by police officers The witness gave a description of the suspect to police and officers searched the apartment building for the offender Police officials say they determined that the suspect who matched the description was Kevin R Officers made contact with Smith and he fled the scene on foot but was apprehended nearby a short time later A further investigation showed Smith was in possession of several weapons and ammunition including a shotgun that was recovered by police There were no reported injuries or property damage as a result of the shooting The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved charges against Smith for aggravated assault Smith was transported to First Appearance Court on Thursday afternoon and police seized the recovered firearms and ammunition Smith is being held in the Lake County Jail until a detention hearing The Lake Zurich and Buffalo Grove communities are mourning the loss of a beloved junior high school teacher who died suddenly last weekend an eighth-grade English teacher at Aptakisic Junior High School in Buffalo Grove-based Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary District 102 died from a cardiac event early Sunday at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Barrington “Our district and community are deeply affected by this news as we are a tight family here,” said Katelyn Cooper Podolski was a 1998 Libertyville High School grad who majored in sports management and minored in kinesiology at the University of Michigan He worked a few years with the Chicago Bears before leaving to pursue his passion for teaching Podolski started in District 102 in 2009 and served as girls’ volleyball coach and boys’ and girls’ basketball coach He previously taught at Middle School North in Lake Zurich Unit District 95 “Mr. Podo” was cherished by students and colleagues and touched many lives, according to his obituary “He was a man who lived with passion, dedicating himself to his family, his students and the communities he served,” according to a GoFundMe online fundraiser established to support his wife “Craig always encouraged his children to chase their dreams supporting them in every way possible,” the page reads Funds are being raised “to ensure his children can continue pursuing their passions 972 donors had contributed $70,002 of a $100,000 goal for the family Podo for language arts 10 years ago and was still impacted “There are so many reasons he was a favorite teacher of mine but I'll never forget the way he genuinely cared about all of us and got to know us,” she posted “He was one of a kind and I hold my memories from that class even closer now.” Podolski is survived by his parents; a brother and two sisters and their significant others; nieces “In true Craig fashion” the family requests very casual dress to honor the man who loathed dressing up and wore T-shirts and flip-flops in winter A private gathering for family and close friends will be held from 3 to 4 p.m It is requested this time be student-free to allow those family and friends to speak freely Operations began this week at the temporary fire station relocated to Buffalo Grove’s former public works building at 51 Raupp Boulevard It is being used while Fire Station 25 at 505 W Dundee Road is undergoing demolition and reconstruction “There will be no interruption in our service levels,” Fire Chief Larry Kane told the village board Monday “We have just moved to a new location while we do some construction here.” He said the old public works garage area will be used for storage The facility was also remodeled for a living area in addition to areas for equipment and maintenance the village is getting ready for demolition Demolition is expected to take place in April or May Construction is slated to begin in June on the new station which should be complete by August or September 2026 Kane said there will be no negative service impacts during the construction Staffing increases and the modernization of vehicles have resulted in the fire department outgrowing the facility The village said the rebuild will carry a price tag of $10.5 million to $11 million 2025 at 4:50 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Construction on the $150 million mixed-use development built on the site of the former Town Center IL — A little over two years after breaking ground on the project the construction of The Clove continues to take shape Officials announced this week that the developer has purchased the vacant Boston Market and Burger King outlot properties adjacent to the rest of The Clove development now can be redeveloped in a manner consistent with the rest of the mixed-use development "They will be looking to revitalize these properties and integrate them into The Clove property itself with some new commercial," Nicole Woods, director of community development for the Village of Buffalo Grove, said on Buffalo Grove TV (BGTV) create some more energy for The Clove itself." RELATED: Buffalo Grove Officials Break Ground On $150M Development Of The Clove Construction on the $150 million mixed-use development, built on the site of the former Town Center, got underway in October 2022. The redevelopment of the 22-acre property will include 78,000 square feet of retail space over multiple buildings The Clove will also have 295 luxury apartments as well as the remodeling of a 35,000-square-foot shopping center north of Old Checker Road Officials said the first apartments at The 250 Residences a seven-story residential building at The Clove Work continues on a sit-down restaurant space at the property "They're completing the first through third floors and the lower units for commercial spaces," Kris Larsen Officials also noted that outside of The Clove across the street at the intersection of Lake Cook and McHenry roads both Lazy Dog Restaurant and Wild Fork Foods are "progressing on their interior buildouts with plans to open this spring." RELATED: Lazy Dog Restaurant Chain Eyeing Next Location In Buffalo Grove 2025 at 11:00 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}As always it’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure the chain locations near you are open IL — If you want Easter brunch and don’t want to cook it several Buffalo Grove area restaurants will open Sunday Here are a few of them from the online reservation service OpenTable: Several upscale chains with locations near Buffalo Grove have announced Easter brunch hours as well, including familiar names like Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House are open on Easter It’s a good idea to call ahead for reservations 2025 at 4:40 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Each seat on the Village Board is for a four-year term IL — Three four-year trustee seats and one two-year trustee seat on the Buffalo Grove Village Board will be up for election in April is running unopposed for a two-year seat on the board Buffalo Grove Patch provided questionnaires to the candidates for the four-year seat "One of the most pressing issues facing our village is the financial strain caused by unfunded state mandates," Johnson said in her Patch questionnaire while new legislative requirements continue to put pressure on our local budget." "The current path which the Village is taking for commercial and residential development is working," Ottenheimer said in his Patch questionnaire "We have established outstanding relationships with both residential and commercial developers as well as industrial developers which have encouraged them to develop residential and commercial projects in the Village." "I have a proven 30-year track record in Buffalo Grove of being an active member of our community," Bocek said in her Patch questionnaire member of the VBG Plan Commission and an advocate for animals I have shown my ability to be a leader in our community I pride myself in being an honest person and an advocate for our community and taxpayers." Greenberg is a retired insurance adjuster and part-time drivers' education instructor "Residents want affordable housing, especially for seniors who wish to downsize from their current homes," Greenberg said in her Patch questionnaire "Residents want the local shopping centers to improve parking lots and sidewalk areas Residents want empty storefronts to hold businesses or be reinvented for different use Candidates for Buffalo Grove trustee talked about the possibility of a new village hall and police station at a Daily Herald endorsement interview Wednesday Four trustees are running for three 4-year terms They are current trustees Lester Ottenheimer III Joanne Johnson and Denice Bocek and challenger Paulette Greenberg Bocek said both facilities need an upgrade She would like to see the village use existing revenues for construction or “I think it might be most cost effective if the two buildings are together,” she said “That way you don't have duplicative costs.” Greenberg also said the village has outgrown the two facilities With the majority of the village on the Lake County side she would like to see a more central location for a possible combined facility Ottenheimer said there was still much research to be done before rendering a decision but was opposed to raising taxes for the projects “I have made a promise to the taxpayers,” he said We've not raised property taxes for the past six years which could be done without raising taxes because of strong revenues from the village’s industrial base Johnson said a comprehensive facilities study is needed It should consider whether to build anew or repurpose an existing facility “It’s no secret that our village hall and police department are currently in aging buildings that demand significant repairs and maintenance,” she said Johnson noted the village budgeted $1.5 million for village hall maintenance She said there are roof leaks and HVAC concerns Buffalo Grove police arrested a suspect in a vandalism and trespassing case Friday 2025 involving a Tesla dealership that has not yet opened at 915 West Dundee Road in Buffalo Grove White lives in Buffalo Grove in Cook County within one-half mile of the crime scene and is due in Cook County Circuit Court Rolling Meadows Room 108 Fatal Crash at Wolf Rd and Thayer St Near the Mount Prospect Halftime of the Rolling Meadows girls basketball game at Buffalo Grove last Friday night brought back memories from 2000 The Bison celebrated the 25th anniversary of their 2000 Class AA girls basketball state championship BG's roster was comprised of co-captain Piper Mead Melissa “Mo” (Peterson) Coyne and Kendra (Ryl) Hutchinson was honored during halftime as Buffalo Grove principal Jeff Wardle and athletic director Matt Myers put together a memorable evening Buffalo Grove beat Chicago powerhouse Washington 60-51 in overtime to win the title “It was was truly amazing," Vermiglio said "What better way to celebrate the anniversary of winning state than with everyone who came along for the original ride A huge thank you to Buffalo Grove High School for going above and beyond in honoring us.” Mah captured the overall feeling of the night when asked about the team "We were teammates turned best friends turned family who just loved the game enjoyed being with each other both on and off the court went straight through powerhouse programs and star players and just epitomized what it meant to be a team.” now the varsity softball coach at Hoffman Estates “What we’ve come to recognize as truly special about our team was not just the victory but the relationships formed along the way," Hamma said "The fact that we have stayed so connected and grown closer through all the years and major life milestones is what it is actually all about Being back out on the court where it all began together is a moment we’ll all cherish forever.” The final surprise of the night came when Myers announced that the Bison Classic Thanksgiving tournament was being renamed the Tom Dineen Bison Classic 4 winningest coach in state history with 810 wins which he recorded from 1980 to 2008 at Buffalo Grove and from 2009 to 2015 at Stevenson The only coaches with more wins are Dorothy Gaters (1,133 at Marshall) Immaculate Heart of Mary and Fenwick) and Evan Massey (992 at Galesburg) "The 25th celebration was really awesome," Dineen said Piper (Mead) and Patty (Vermiglio-Peterson) really did a great job Then they really surprised me with the (renaming of) Thanksgiving tournament Super Sadie: Prospect senior Sadi Splinter continues to help spark the Mid-Suburban League East leaders The senior captain is averaging 8.1 points "Sadie sets the tone for our team and is our vocal leader," said Prospect coach Matt Weber "She is also attending Palm Beach Atlantic University on a lacrosse scholarship "She does all the dirty work for our team and is usually matched up with the other team's best player but is one of the strongest players on the team and loves the weight room." 17 with a 54-34 win over Joliet Catholic in the East Suburban Catholic Conference Freshman Ava Garcia popped in a career-high of 26 points along with 3 rebounds 6 rebounds and 2 assists while junior Emily Walberg chipped in 5 points Moving forward: Despite battling a number of injuries The Wildcats have two starters out for the season (Ellie Vito and Madison O'Rourke with foot injuries) as well as another battling the onset of shin splints and limiting time the team has kept their heads held high," said Wildcats former standout and coach Kelie Brasse "They continue to give their best effort and fight during each game." Doing it all: Maine West 5-foot-9 junior guard Kaitlyn Nutley leads the Warriors in every category — points She had 21 points on Friday night to help the Warriors top Niles North 2025 at 3:07 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The incidents and arrests below were reported by the Buffalo Grove Police Department from March 27-31 IL — The following information comes from the Buffalo Grove Police Department (except when noted) and court records as a record of incidents reported to police and those arrested on criminal charges which represent accusations by the state that are often dropped or reduced Updated information may be available from the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court Everyone arrested is presumed to be innocent unless found guilty in court beyond a reasonable doubt is accused of being a driver never issued a license is accused of having no valid driver's license operating a motor vehicle when registration is suspended is accused of possession of a controlled substance LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: Saw Marks Found On Locks At Business — Buffalo Grove Police Blotter