ExpandThe pool is finished at the Water's Edge residential development
and about 25 people are already living there
Construction is moving along at Water’s Edge, Crystal Lake‘s largest development
with a goal to have a public park open this summer followed by retail spaces by the end of the year
Developer Heartland Real Estate Partners celebrated its progress on the 30-acre project
located at the former Crystal Court shopping center on Route 14 adjacent to Three Oaks Recreation Area
with a multi-chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday with the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
The project includes retail buildings with restaurant spaces
an overlook of the north Three Oaks Recreation Area lake
Development of the Water's Edge apartments and townhomes in Crystal Lake are underway as residents start to move into completed apartment units
Residents started to move in to the first-built apartments late last year
and residential construction continues with 60 apartment units completed of 240 total
Heartland managing principal Tim Grogan said
About 25 people are currently living on the property
and Grogan said he expects to bring in an additional 20 people each month
The 12 apartment buildings are on track to be completed by the end of this year
while groundbreaking on the 20 townhome units just started and are expected to be completed by early next year
Construction on two of the three commercial buildings is scheduled to start next week
with a goal for customers to be shopping and eating at the restaurants by the end of the year
Developers will start on the final commercial building once the Jimmy John’s lease expires at the end of the year
The plan is to demolish the building that Jimmy John’s resides in to make way for a parking lot
Bell said they are working with a “national breakfast/brunch chain,” a national eyeglass and optometry company and a national quick-service restaurant that will have a pickup window for mobile and online orders
developers have contracts pending for the west half of the retail space with “a lot of interest” for the east section
“People needed to see it actually happen,” he said
A public open space that will be owned by the city once construction is completed is planned to debut by July 4
multiple seating areas and an overlook at North Lake
The creation of open spaces for residents only also are underway
pickleball and sand volleyball courts being completed this summer
pool and fitness center already are completed
The Water's Edge team celebrates with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce on April 30
“We‘ve built exactly what we said we were going to build,” Grogan said
One-bedroom units start at $1,904 a month for 835 square feet, with the other end of the price range being $2,846 a month for a two-bedroom unit with 1,408 square feet, according to the Water’s Edge website
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Lake and McHenry County Scanner
A Crystal Lake man out of jail for only two weeks after threatening to hit an officer with a ukulele is facing charges of aggravated battery for his part in a fight in front of Fresh Thyme Market
was ordered detained following an investigation into the fight on April 25
officers with the Crystal Lake Police Department were driving near Northwest Highway and Federal Drive at 3:35 a.m
on April 25 when the officer noticed Kekona fall and stand up near the roadway
The officer then noticed a person stumbling around in the parking lot of Fresh Thyme Market nearby
The officer conducted a traffic stop and noticed Ledrick had scratches on his chest
but saw his knuckles were bruised and swollen
The officer went to the second subject and noticed the left eye of the victim was swollen shut
and both were taken to Mercy Hospital – Crystal Lake
officers determined there was a fist fight between Kekona and the victim
but Kekona was taken into custody and transported to McHenry County jail on Class 3 felony charges of aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm
This is the second time in a month that Kekona has had a run-in with officers from the Crystal Lake Police
Kekona was charged with aggravated assault on April 10 after he allegedly advanced on a police officer while wielding a ukulele as a weapon
Kekona had a ukulele and held it in a “raised and cocked” position by the arm of the instrument
The officer involved in the incident said he believed he was going to be struck by the musical instrument and tried to arrest Kekona for aggravated assault
Kekona allegedly refused to empty his hands and place them behind his back
forcing the officer to take him to the ground
Kekona was face down on the ground with both of his arms and hands under his stomach
ignoring officers telling him numerous times to place his hands behind his back
Kekona was transported to the McHenry County Jail and released after an initial appearance court hearing on April 10
Kekona was ordered detained in McHenry County Jail until trial
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Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTOWN OF CRYSTAL LAKE
(WMTV) - A 3-year-old girl was fatally shot in the Town of Crystal Lake Saturday night
According to the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office
the 3-year-old girl was fatally shot by her 7-year-old brother
Marquette County Sherriff Joseph Konrath confirmed the siblings were visiting family with their mom over the weekend
Marquette County dispatch received a 911 call just before 4:30 p.m
May 3 and responded to the home along with Neshkoro Fire Department and Waushara County EMS
Konrath told WMTV the family was not from the area
“The mother of the seven and three-year-old was visiting family members in Marquette County,” said Sherriff Konrath
He adds this is a devastating situation for everyone involved
“The first responders and the people working the investigation it was very hard on them
but it was harder on the family,” said Sherriff Konrath
The Sheriff’s Office will not be releasing any other information at this time due to the sensitive nature of the incident and involvement of minors
This is an ongoing investigation and WMTV will continue to provide updates as we learn them
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app
locally owned Florio’s Italian restaurant is now open off Randall Road in Crystal Lake
Lake in the Hills resident and owner Dominic Florio stepped out of retirement at age 73 last year to pursue the new venture
so the place needed lot of work done to create a kitchen and dining area
Florio last year received a $10,000 Commercial Facade Improvement Grant from Crystal Lake to help with construction expenses
The fine-dining restaurant, at 1540 Carlemont Drive, will have dishes inspired by southern Italy including seafood, pasta, chicken and veal. The full menu can be viewed on the restaurant’s website at floriositalian.com
“I’ve got stuff you see in everyday restaurants and stuff that you don’t
Florio said Fridays and Saturdays will have late-night entertainment he described as “contemporary Sinatra-style music.” The kitchen will close at 10 p.m
and the bar and a limited menu will be available until closing at 1 a.m
Florio’s Italian is heavily inspired by the first restaurant Florio owned under the same name in Chicago‘s Lincoln Park neighborhood in the 1980s
He remembers reading an article that listed his restaurant as one of the top Italian restaurants in the city
“Their tagline was ‘upscale and friendly,’” he said
The Crystal Lake location will seat about 20 people at the bar and about 90 people at tables
There will be three separate sections called Roma
Bari and Cosenza — all places in Italy where Florio’s grandparents are from
Firefighters from around Lake and McHenry counties continued to battle a large brush fire that sparked in Island Lake Sunday evening
Multiple 9-1-1 calls came in at about 5:35 p.m
Sunday and scanner reports were that people could see heavy smoke and fire at Route 176 and Bassler Drive
Command immediately requested a Mutual Aid Box Alarm (MABAS) for additional resources to the scene
The cause of the blaze and whether there are any injuries are unknown at this time
Fire department increased the MABAS call to a second alarm
bringing in additional resources like All-Terrain Vehicles and Wildland Technicians
and Long Grove are reported to have been called to the scene
There are no evacuations in place at this time
as well as photos on the Lake and McHenry County Facebook page
show the massive fire spreading with flames high across open land in the area
People on the Lake & McHenry Scanner Facebook page said the plume of smoke could be seen as far away as Crystal Lake
Officials from the Wauconda Fire Protection District were not able to respond regarding the incident at 7:30 p.m
This is a developing story at Lake & McHenry County Scanner
People are urged to continue to check back repeatedly for updates
Ray Bogdanowski of Lake in the Hills and Wayne Jett of McHenry spoke to the Women's Council of Realtors Elgin/McHenry Area Network on Thursday
Richmond won’t be affected much when Illinois stops charging a 1% grocery sales tax
as there are not really grocery stores in town
Municipalities have until October to decide whether they will continue the 1% tax on groceries when the state grocery tax stops Jan
The state would continue to collect the tax and send it back to the towns
based on grocery sales within their borders
Richmond likely will not enact the tax locally
but she noted Thursday that other towns with large grocery stores will miss out on “millions of dollars” they now rely on for “regular old operational expenses” if they do not vote to charge that tax locally
The local leaders touched on the grocery tax
as well as housing developments in each community
“I know the municipalities are getting a bad rap for instituting these taxes to recoup those dollars
so for them to get rid of it was no big deal,” Wardanian said
“For it to be missing from budgets on these small villages and cities
The funds never went into state coffers – they went directly to the communities where the groceries were purchased and the dollars spent
the grocery tax amounts to $2 million a year
state-imposed mandates such as replacing lead water pipes
and “$2 million goes a long way to help us out.”
Crystal Lake’s City Council will vote on the tax
and “we are going to keep the grocery tax unless the City Council decides against it
the grocery tax brings in about $1 million annually
“It is not that easy” to just cut $1 million from the budget
particularly as McHenry is saving up for its portion of the Route 31 widening costs
“Taking $1 million out of the budget is unrealistic,” Jett said
All four municipality leaders also talked about housing in their communities
Richmond is looking for townhomes and senior-friendly residences
The larger community leaders said that although there are single-family projects in the works
The housing market in Crystal Lake isn’t just hot
“it is white hot,” with houses going for over the asking price
his council is getting pushback about the number of apartments going up
“but that is where the market is,” he said
Water’s Edge, currently under construction along Route 14
already has 20 units filled and 20 already committed to renters even though they are unfinished
“We haven’t had a new residential development in 20 years,” Village President Ray Bogdanowski said
two developers have come to the village “with sketch plans,” and a third is expected soon
His village also is looking at its 1½ miles along Route 47 for future development
“We are imagining that as mixed use,” including retail and pedestrian paths connecting to existing trails
Commercial development needs residential development to succeed
“and we keep that in mind,” Bogdanowski said
McHenry also has seen a rise in rental housing
including the 540-unit Fox Meadow Apartments on Route 31 on the south end of town
and plans for 180 units by Redwood on the far northeast side
McHenry also has had a recent proposal for apartments at the long-empty First Midwest Bank at 3510 W
Builder Lennar also has pitched almost 600 homes on 304 acres at Bull Valley and Curran roads. That is expected to come back to the City Council in the next few months, Jett said.
2025 at 10:05 am CDTExpandRaue Center for the Arts - From Chicago to Madison Square Garden to Crystal Lake —Pat McGann is back at Raue Center
Pat McGann is quickly rising as one of the sharpest stand-ups in the comedy world
Pat began stand-up at the age of 31 after realizing he was not very good at selling packaging
He hustled his way to becoming the House Emcee at Zanies Chicago
where he distinguished himself as especially adept at working the crowd
Pat’s appeal stems from his quick wit and relatable take on family
McGann began touring as the opening act for Sebastian Maniscalco
moving with him from clubs to theaters and arenas
including four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City
McGann’s relatively short but impressive resume includes performances on The Late Show with David Letterman
Now you can experience Pat McGann’s show at Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake
For more information about this terrific comedian, visit https://www.patmcganncomedy.com/about/
For more information or to purchase tickets
www.rauecenter.org
Raue Center for the Arts Logo 2020 Raue Center for the Arts logo
[Sponsored] Raue Center for the Arts - A Historic Theater [Sponsored] Raue Center for the Arts - A Historic Theater
A Crystal Lake man has been charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly advanced on a police officer while wielding a ukulele and then resisted arrest
was charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Kekona engaged in conduct that placed a Crystal Lake police officer in apprehension of receiving a battery around 11 p.m
The complaint said Kekona approached the officer while wielding a ukulele
Kekona held the ukulele in a “raised and cocked” position by the arm of the instrument
The complaint said the officer believed he was going to be struck by the musical instrument
Officers informed Kekona he was under arrest for aggravated assault but he began resisting arrest
Officers took him to the ground where he laid on his stomach and placed both of his arms and hands under his stomach
despite being told numerous times to place them behind his back
Kekona was transported to the McHenry County Jail and released after an initial appearance court hearing on Thursday
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb ordered Kekona not to possess any dangerous weapons and to be placed on pre-trial supervision
Kekona is scheduled to appear in court again on May 8 for a status of preliminary hearing
ExpandEduardo Roman (Photo Provided by McHenry County Sheriff's Office)
A 19-year-old Crystal Lake man has been accused of advertising and selling drugs to minors over social media
Roman also is charged with criminal drug conspiracy for the alleged manufacturing
delivery and possession of 89 grams of a substance containing Adderall; manufacturing
delivery and possession of 59 whole tablets containing alprazolam; and a digital scale
according to the complaint filed by Crystal Lake police
Roman is accused of possessing several weapons without a firearm owner’s identification card
Taurus G2c and G3 9 mm handguns and a Sig Sauer P365 9 mm handgun
Convictions on Class X felonies carry sentencing ranges of up to 30 years in prison
Judge Cynthia Lamb said Roman is a danger to “the community
including minors particularly at a local high school.” She did not specify which high school in the detention order
Lamb said Roman “sold and advertised on social media platforms to minors
[and] picked up minors to both sell them drugs and allow them to use drugs in his vehicle.”
He is accused of driving “to different locations to meet minors while having firearms in his possession. The network that the defendant has established in his short career ensures there are no conditions the court can impose to stop that network from operation, Lamb said in an order detaining him pretrial in the county jail.
Roman appeared in Judge Mark Gerhardt’s courtroom Tuesday, when his attorney Ed Donahue motioned for a substitution of a judge. The attorney wrote in a motion that Roman did not believe he would get a fair trial in front of Gerhardt. A new date will appear in court documents when a new judge is assigned.
2025 at 9:27 am CDTExpandCrystal Lake Travel - Crystal Lake Travel Agency Achieves Highest Sales Recognition: The All-Star Award
Crystal Lake Travel has another impressive accolade to add to its growing list of achievements
the agency received the prestigious 2024 All Star Award from the MAST Travel Network
The esteemed award recognizes travel agencies that demonstrate exceptional sales success with MAST’s preferred suppliers
During a recent awards ceremony held in Addison
Crystal Lake Travel was specifically celebrated for achieving the highest sales volume in 2024 across an impressive portfolio of 50 nationally-recognized tour and cruise companies
“Contributing to the success of Crystal Lake Travel is the agency’s commitment in providing superior customer satisfaction
and expert vacation planning,” said Patty DeRoo
Crystal Lake Travel owner and travel advisor
“The selection of like-minded travel suppliers entrusted with the agency’s clients ensures that Crystal Lake Travel continues to be a thriving business in the community.”
The All Star Award was one of several honors garnered by the agency
Crystal Lake Travel also earned the coveted 2024 Million Dollar Travel Advisor Sales Award from MAST Travel Network
such as the Best Social Media Marketing Award
the Outstanding Travel Advisor Sales Award was presented to Vickie Zinanni and Janet Lutsch
and the Million Dollar Travel Advisor Sales Awards recognized the outstanding contributions of Sue Swett
Demonstrating their strong industry partnerships
Crystal Lake Travel was also awarded Highest Sales by Avalon Waterways and by Centrav Inc
Are you dreaming of your next getaway and want the expertise of an award-winning agency dedicated to superior customer satisfaction and expert planning? Look no further than Crystal Lake Travel. Visit https://www.crystallaketravel.com/ for more information
https://www.crystallaketravel.com/
[Sponsored] Crystal Lake Travel - 60+ Years in the Travel Industry [Sponsored] Crystal Lake Travel - 60+ Years in the Travel Industry
2025 at 2:00 pm CDTExpandJennifer Lynn & The Groove Revival will bring “Retrograde: The Spirit of 70s Rock Returns,” to the Raue Center For The Arts on Tuesday
(Image provided by Raue Center for the Arts )
Relive the electrifying essence of the 70s rock era as Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival bring their critically acclaimed live show
“Retrograde: The Spirit of 70s Rock Returns,” to the Raue Center for the Arts Tuesday
Celebrating the raw energy and soulful sound that defined a generation
this concert promises to be an unforgettable experience for all music lovers
according to a news release from Raue Center
have captivated audiences since their official debut in 2021 with the EP “Nothing Holding Me Down.” Their meteoric rise includes reaching #4 on the Billboard blues chart and receiving seven nominations for the Independent Blues Music Awards
With a powerful blend of original music and iconic covers
the band channels the spirit of rock legends such as The Rolling Stones
“Retrograde isn’t just a concert; it’s a celebration of the music that shaped our lives,” Jennifer Lyn said in the news release
“We’re thrilled to bring this experience to the Raue Center and invite everyone to feel the passion and power of 70s rock.”
Attendees can expect an evening filled with soulful solos and roaring anthems that evoke the timeless spirit of the era
From Led Zeppelin’s thunderous riffs to Janis Joplin’s raw power
this performance is a must-see for anyone who appreciates live music
Tickets start at $40 and may be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815-356-9212 or 26 N
Shaw Local News NetworkShaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois
The armed gunman who fired shots during an hours-long standoff before being fatally shot by a SWAT team near Crystal Lake was recently critically injured in an airborne rollover crash in Woodstock
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said they responded around 4:23 p.m
Thursday to the 300 block of South Briarwood Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake for a domestic dispute
A 911 caller reported a man was yelling and fighting with family members at the residence
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and encountered a male suspect armed with a rifle
Sheriff’s officials said the gunman barricaded himself in the residence
Michael Rein identified the suspect on Friday as Darrick Lawrence
Deputies shortly after reported shots being fired from the house by the suspect
Other people who were inside the home were safely evacuated as deputies surrounded the area
Additional police resources and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT Team and Hostage Negotiation Team were called to assist
A police command post was established nearby at the Lakewood Police Department
The sheriff’s office issued an alert saying that heavy police activity was in the area of Briarwood Road and North Avenue due to the incident and asked people to avoid the area
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded and staged nearby during the standoff
Negotiators began communicating with Lawrence while snipers were set up in the area focused on the home
Sheriff’s officials said the Hostage Negotiation Team was in “active conversation” with Lawrence in an effort to get him out safely
The negotiation efforts failed and a “deputy-involved shooting” occurred
A robot and a drone were eventually deployed and the SWAT team entered the residence around 7:30 p.m
Officers entered and found Lawrence had been struck by the gunfire during the deputy-involved shooting
Sheriff’s officials said around 9:15 p.m
that the situation was no longer active but Briarwood Road between North Avenue and Gilbert Avenue remained closed for the investigation
The Major Investigation Assistance Team (MIAT)
McHenry County Coroner’s Office and McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office are investigating in accordance with department policy and state law
including a review of body-worn camera footage
Last month, Lawrence was suspected of fleeing from the Crystal Lake Police Department while driving a 2012 Honda van and soon after being involved in a serious crash in Woodstock
Crystal Lake Police Chief James Black said that officers in Crystal Lake tried to stop the car for a traffic violation on the evening of March 28
Crystal Lake police did not engage in a pursuit and ended the attempt to stop the vehicle before it left Crystal Lake
Woodstock Deputy Police Chief Ray Lanz said officers were at the scene of an unrelated call around 12:25 a.m
on March 29 in Woodstock when they observed the dark-colored Honda minivan drive past them at a very high rate of speed
An officer attempted to locate the vehicle
A concerned citizen flagged down the officer and told him that the minivan nearly struck his vehicle
The officer responded to the last known location and was traveling on East Lake Street when the minivan passed him again at a high rate of speed
Lanz said the officer turned around and turned onto Brown Street from Lake Street where he observed the minivan go airborne and crash at the T-intersection at Brown Street and Washburn Street
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said the Honda came to rest on its roof in a grassy field approximately 100 feet off the roadway
It appeared the vehicle had gone airborne before coming to rest
was found unconscious and trapped inside the heavily damaged vehicle
Firefighters worked to stabilize the vehicle and gain access to the man
They extricated him from the Honda minivan within 10 minutes
Vucha said the driver was transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital with critical injuries
Court records show Lawrence was driving under the influence of alcohol
for which he was charged with and issued citations for disregarding a stop sign
driving wrong way and failure to reduce speed
Lawrence was given a court date of May 1 for a plea hearing
The coroner’s office has not yet released the results from an autopsy conducted on Lawrence on Friday
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Sixteen years after the most recent installment in the franchise and in the wake of years worth of legal battles and behind the scenes issues
the Friday the 13th franchise is finally making its way back into our lives with “Crystal Lake,” and series showrunner Brad Caleb Kane (“Welcome to Derry”) has updated us on the production over on Instagram tonight
Brad Caleb Kane posted a photo of a “Crystal Lake” production draft script on Instagram and announced that the show’s production offices are now opened up for business
Based on characters created by original Friday the 13th (1980) writer Victor Miller
the script in the photograph was written by Brad Caleb Kane himself
and the copyright is registered to “Camp Blood LLC.” It’s likely this means that pre-production has begun
with production gearing up to kick off soon
Stay tuned for more on all things “Crystal Lake” as we learn it
Voorhees in “Crystal Lake” for A24 and Peacock
described as “a mother who had given up a singing career to raise a special needs child and takes a dark turn when she loses her son.” Her son
“Crystal Lake” is being described as an “expanded prequel” to the original Friday the 13th franchise featuring both Jason Voorhees and his mother
the streaming series will bring the Friday the 13th franchise back to life after 16 years of Jason Voorhees lying dormant at the bottom of the lake due to messy legal issues over the rights
A post shared by Brad Kane (@bradcalebkane)
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Warning: This article contains spoilers for this week’s episode of “The Last of Us,” which is available now to stream on Max
The previous episode of HBO’s “The Last of Us“ ended with Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina’s (Isabela Merced) arrival in Seattle in pursuit of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever)
unaware that they’ve stumbled into an ongoing war between militia group Washington Liberation Front (WLF) and the cult group Seraphites
“Day One,“ gives a closer look at the cruelty this intense battle inspires from both sides
“What the f*ck is wrong with Seattle?”
That question is directly inspired by the aftermath of a grisly scene in which the Seraphites
a primitivist cult known for their facial scars and eerie whistles
had strung up and disemboweled a group of WLF soldiers with a message referring to their Prophet written in blood
It’s a far cry from their introduction last episode
which presented a more peaceful faction of their group fleeing the fight for greener pastures only to be ruthlessly culled down by “wolves,“ or the WLF
It’s a scene that provides the first indication that the Seraphites are capable of fighting back and just as vicious as their enemy
arriving after a key scene that brings one of The Last of Us Part II video game’s characters into the fold in a prominent way
In the season two premiere of “The Last of Us,“ as Abby’s group debates where to go now that the Fireflies are gone
“Ed has a brother who runs an outfit in Seattle
A guy named Isaac.” It’s a casual line
one that “Day One“ puts into new focus as it gives a much more thorough introduction to Isaac Dixon
a secondary antagonist in the game voiced and motion captured by actor Jeffrey Wright
“Day One“ establishes Isaac’s smarts and cunning with a shocking scene of his departure from FEDRA (Federal Disaster Response Agency) as a sergeant in Seattle’s Quarantine Zone by blowing up his armed truck full of soldiers to join the ranks of WLF
Isaac hasn’t lost his icy edge at all as he interrogates a chained and abused Seraphite with violence
using a scalding pan to coax out answers through blistering pain
When that fails to yield answers on the Seraphite’s next plan of attack
The series stops there from divulging any more information about Isaac or his motivation
but it’s enough to paint a clear picture that Ellie and Dina’s path to revenge will be hampered at every step by a wartorn Seattle
That’s evident by the episode’s end
where the pair look on in horror as a battle wages on miles away
It also establishes to viewers that Isaac’s still-to-be-revealed connections to Abby will create another lethal obstacle for Ellie
The silver lining of the episode comes in the aftermath of an intense escape from a Clicker infested tunnel resulting in Ellie getting bitten
As Dina tearfully prepares to pull the trigger
Ellie is forced to reveal her most closely guarded secret: her immunity
Once Dina is satisfied that Ellie is telling the truth
she pulls out a confession of her own: her pregnancy
“Day One“ lays expansive groundwork for the rocky road ahead
with a complex war raging in Seattle and an unlikely duo with all of the odds stacked against them at the center of it
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George proudly served his country as a United States Marine (VMO-2 MAG-39
a testament to his character and dedication
he built a remarkable 35-year career at Hobbs Brook Real Estate/FM Global
where he was respected for his hard work and integrity
and strolling the shore path with friends and family
George loved curating and executing home improvement projects and working in the yard and garden alongside his beloved wife
particularly researching his family’s Civil War connections
despite his begrudging loyalty to the Chicago Bears
George was a loving and attentive husband to Cathy and a devoted father to Emily and Tom
and warm-hearted nature left an indelible mark on all who knew him
He was the kind of man who was always willing to help others when they needed it
his gentle spirit a constant source of wisdom
Catherine O’Sullivan Evans; his children
at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory
memorial donations may be made to the McHenry County Conservation Foundation @ www.mchenryconservation.org or a charity of your choice
Davenport Family Funeral Homes and Crematory – Crystal Lake
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Longtime Crystal Lake resident Jim Heisler said he will never forget the sound of the winds and the color of the sky when the fatal Palm Sunday tornado tore through the town 60 years ago Friday
“It was just like standing at the train station a step away from a roaring-through freight train
That’s just what the tornado sounded like in ‘65,” he said
[ See our coverage of the 50th anniversary of the tornado in 2015 ]
The F-4 Palm Sunday tornado touched down in Crystal Lake about 3:30 p.m. April 11, 1965, destroying more than 100 homes, killing five residents and injuring at least another 95 before moving on to Island Lake
where it dug a trench in the bottom of the lake
destroyed more homes and killed a 5-year-old boy
[ See more photos of the 1965 tornado aftermath ]
the Crystal Lake Historical Society will host “The Palm Sunday Tornado: 60th Anniversary” at 2 p.m
Sunday in the Crystal Lake Central High School auditorium
The presentation will have about 170 visuals that show the storm’s path
destruction and weather conditions at the time
The historical society did a program for the 50th anniversary at the Crystal Lake Public Library
which showed great interest as it quickly filled up and two more programs were added
Crystal Lake Historical Society President Diana Kenney said
“This program is built off of that one,” she said
I’ve changed out some videos and some other things
John Enright's family home after the Palm Sunday tornado on April 11
“What was amazing to me is talking to people about what happened after,” Kenney said
“How the community came together to help their neighbors is a wonderful story
‘That’s why I live in Crystal Lake.’ It’s a different town today from 60 years ago
but I have no doubt Crystal Lake would do that again and help its people.”
Belvidere resident John Enright was 10 and lived off Keith Avenue when the storm destroyed his family’s home
He remembers his father rushing everyone into the basement once debris started flying around
he could see the sky because the roof was gone
the Enrights were able to get a house rebuilt on the same property
A lot of people rented house trailers and lived on their front yard that summer during rebuilding
who owns Heisler’s Bootery in downtown Crystal lake
was 24 and lived off Lill Avenue by Central High at the time of the storm
He said he tried to catch his garbage cans and lawn chairs that were blowing away before returning to safety
Heisler remembers flagging down emergency vehicles off Route 14
Central High became the town’s emergency help station for aid
More than 200 people came to offer rooms in their homes to people in need of shelter
according to the Crystal Lake Historical Society
“Nobody ended up having to sleep at the high school
People just took them into their homes,” Kenney said
The tornado cut through from the southwest and traveled northeast to Island Lake
being in one of the first areas to get hit by the storm
John Holter and 5-year-old Charles Pokorny
Goss was Heisler’s father’s cousin and lived off Virginia Road and Route 14 where the Walgreens now stands
Neighboring children were playing basketball at his property that fateful day
Rae saw this and went out there and chased them home and never made it back to his house,” Heisler said
Trees still standing were stripped of branches
Houses were falling “like dominos” and debris piles of plywood and metal were scattered where subdivisions once stood
Heisler remembers seeing the aftermath of the Holter family home
with only a truck and a washing machine in the basement remaining
It’s a memory that turned into an important lesson to find a safe place without windows whenever a tornado siren goes off
“Get out of the way and take it seriously.”
The storm affected how weather forecasters warn about incoming tornadoes to this day
the term “tornado forecast” was changed to “tornado watch,” a term used to this day
It’s known to be the most devastating natural disaster in recent history to hit Crystal Lake, Kenney said. At the time, Crystal Lake did not have a tornado warning system, according to the Crystal Lake Historical Society
The historical society asks anyone who remembers that day to reach out and tell their story
always willing to listen to the next guy because there are just so many stories
and we’ve got to get them while we can,” Kenney said
Three new exhibits related to the Palm Sunday tornado are open through September at the Colonel Palmer House at 660 E
The exhibit “Tornado Tales” chronicles resident experiences and the other exhibits capture the 1965 through pop culture and the Crystal Lake Central graduating class
“I’d encourage some of our young people to go because they didn’t live through it
but they should know about it,” Heisler said
What: “The Palm Sunday Tornado: 60th Anniversary” presented by the Crystal Lake Historical Society
Where: Crystal Lake Central High School auditorium
Door 15 off Wallace Avenue or the bus hall door off Walkup Avenue
Website: Cl-hs.org/event/the-palm-sunday-tornado-60th-anniversary
the globally recognized retail chain known for its affordable and unique products
is excited to announce the grand opening of its latest store in Crystal Lake
this store will be the first store in the US to feature both of their new brands
bringing a new experience to Illinois shoppers
"We are thrilled to bring both the Standard Products and Threeppy lines to Crystal Lake," said Jack Williams
Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA
"This range will complement our existing Daiso offerings
and we're eager to introduce this experience to the community."
just for you!" emphasizes high-quality products with a playful
meant to add personal touches to everyday essentials and room decor
Standard Products launched in Japan in 2021 and offers simple yet elegant items for everyday life
"A little something is always better," emphasizes their chic and minimalist aesthetic
with items designed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining style and function
This new Crystal Lake store will feature a wide array of products across categories
both the Threeppy and Standard Products collections
From premium home fragrances to hair accessories
customers will discover a new range of products for their daily needs
store with both Standard Products and Threeppy," said John Clarke
we believe the line will resonate with our customers
and we're excited to expand its availability in the U.S."
the first 100 customers to make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive a special Daiso goodie bag
There will also be a special coupon offer available all weekend
The new store will be located at: Bohl Farm Marketplace
Store hours will be Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m
About Daiso: Daiso is a Japanese owned global retail chain founded in Japan
known for its wide selection of unique and affordable products
the globally recognized retail chain known for offering affordable and unique products
is excited to announce the grand opening of its latest ..
Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
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New Products & Services
Corporate Expansion
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SoftballPrairie Ridge 11, Crystal Lake South 0 (5 inn.): At Crystal Lake, Emma Dallas threw a five-inning no-hitter Wednesday to help the Wolves keep pace at the top of the Fox Valley Conference standings. Dallas struck out 12 batters and allowed three walks, while Kylie Carroll drove in four runs and Autumn Ledgerwood hit a home run for Prairie Ridge.
Riley Barda, Alli Lieflander and Riley Sturm each drew a walk for South.
Burlington Central 5, Dundee-Crown 1: At Carpentersville, the Rockets used timely hitting to pick up a conference win. Nina Garcia drove in two runs, and Kelsey Covey brought home another for Central. Rockets starter Isabelle Reed struck out six batters and allowed one earned run off a hit over 6⅓ innings.
Josie Sheldon knocked in a run for the Chargers.
Crystal Lake Central 11, Cary-Grove 2: At Cary, Adi Waliullah drove in four runs on four hits to help the Tigers cruise to a win. Cassidy Murphy drove home two runs, while Tigers starter Makayla Malone threw a complete game, striking out seven batters and allowing two earned runs for Central.
Aubrey Lonergan drove in two runs for the Trojans.
Hampshire 6, Jacobs 4: At Hampshire, a four-run fifth powered the Whip-Purs to an FVC win over the Eagles. Ally LeBlanc was 3 for 4 with a double and triple, Bria Riebel (2 for 4, double) and Melissa Johnson both drove in two runs, and Addison Edlen was 2 for 3 with a double and RBI. Morgan Trent gave up four runs (two earned) in a complete game with four strikeouts and no walks.
Talia Di Silvio (3 for 3) drove in three runs with a two-run homer for Jacobs.
Burlington Central 11, Jacobs 2: At Burlington, Chase Powrozek threw a complete game and struck out seven batters to help the Rockets pull out a FVC win. Powrozek didn’t allow an earned run on three hits, while Bennek Braden drove in three runs off one hit for Central.
Gavin Grummer and Aaden Colon each had a hit for the Golden Eagles.
McHenry 9, Crystal Lake Central 1: At Crystal Lake, the Warriors turned eight hits into nine runs to earn an FVC win. Conner McLean drove in three runs on two hits, while Landon Clements, Kaden Wasniewski and Kyle Maness each brought home two for McHenry. Starter Bryson Elbrecht threw four innings and allowed one run on four hits with two strikeouts.
Ethan Wolf knocked in a run for the Tigers.
Crystal Lake South 10, Huntley 8: At Crystal Lake, the Gators held off a late rally to pick up a win. Carson Trivellini brought home two runs, while Nolan Dabrowski, Christian Alther, Nick Stowasser, Michael Silvius and Xander Shevchenko each finished with an RBI for South. Trivellini came in to throw an inning of scoreless relief, striking out three batters.
Dylan Visvadra drove in three runs for the Red Raiders, and Drew Borkowski hit a home run.
Prairie Ridge 6, Dundee-Crown 0: At Carpentersville, Owen Satterlee threw a complete game and struck out seven batters in the Wolves’ FVC win. Satterlee didn’t allow an earned run, allowing one hit and three walks. Karson Stiefer, Maddon McKim, Connor Innis and Riley Golden each brought home a run for Prairie Ridge.
Sandwich 4, Woodstock North 3: At Sandwich, the Thunder couldn’t overcome an early deficit. Parker Halihan and Jack Wollpert each knocked in a run for North.
Richmond-Burton 8, Marengo 0: At Richmond, Maddie Seyller and Sydney Frericks each had a hat trick to help the Rockets advance in the Kiskwaukee River Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Blake Frericks and Abby Leslie each also scored for R-B.
The Rockets will play the winner of Johnsburg/Plano in the KRC Tournament semifinals Monday.
Marian Central 7, Westminster Christian 1: At Elgin, Adriana Wrzos tallied a hat trick to lead the Hurricanes to a commanding win. Natalee Henkel added two goals, while Kailie Rosato and Jordan Cheng each had one for Marian.
Jacobs 5, Huntley 2: At Huntley, the Golden Eagles picked up a commanding win. No. 2 singles Daryan Do (6-2, 7-6), No. 1 doubles August Nelson/Jack Soto (7-6, 6-4), No. 2 doubles Ryan Fulton/Soham Kalra (7-6, 3-6, 6-2), No. 3 doubles Rudra Rathod/Ronnav Deshmukh (6-3, 6-4) and No. 4 doubles Kurtis Kornatoski/Dylan Heard (6-2, 6-0) each won their matches.
No. 1 singles Will Geske (6-3, 6-3) and No. 3 singles Ethan Cronin (6-2, 6-2) each won for Huntley.
Huntley 25, Burlington Central 0: At Burlington, Mya Holmberg scored her 100th career goal to help the Red Raiders win. Holmberg and Katie Ferrara each scored five goals, while Savannah Stone made four saves in the shutout for Huntley.
ExpandA rendering of the proposed 24-unit apartment building at southwest corner of Congress Parkway and Exchange Drive in Crystal Lake
Developers are looking to construct an age-restricted apartment building in the business area of Crystal Lake off Congress Parkway
with the aim to be more affordable than other complexes in the area
A rendering of the proposed 24-unit apartment building at southwest corner of Congress Parkway and Exchange Drive in Crystal Lake
Developers first approached the board with a conceptual plan last year
site plan and added another garage building
The plan calls for 35 parking lot spaces and 16 garages
developers aim to have a balcony or patio for each unit along with a pergola with an outdoor cooking area for the residents
along with approval of the development plan
that the land be rezoned from general commercial to multi-family residential
Surrounding properties are zoned for office
Though the apartments are expected to go at market-rate, developer John Konsor said the units will rent out at prices lower than the average price in the area. Commissioners indicated there is a high demand for more affordable options.
“I hope it translates into some level of affordability for the folks that get to rent there,” Commissioner Kathy Repholz said.
Konsor wants to fill the gap between affordable and luxury, he said. The plan doesn’t have as many “bells and whistles” as other luxury apartment complexes, and that helps keep costs down, he said. The building will not qualify for providing dedicated affordable units.
“There will be that element of affordability in the market that some people will appreciate,” Konsor said.
During his conceptual proposal in October, Konsor said he aims to have rental prices 10% lower than others in the area. He estimated rates to start at $1,700 for one-bedroom units and $2,000 for two-bedroom units.
In the near future, the city is looking to add a public art piece at the nearby roundabout on Congress Parkway. Commissioner Natasha Teetsov suggested developers look into possibly collaborating with artists or have complementary art on the property.
This was one of Teetsov’s last meetings as a planning and zoning commissioner. She is slated to be the newest member of Crystal Lake’s City Council based on Tuesday’s still-unofficial election results.
passed away peacefully to be united with the love of his life
the son of the late Charles and Mary (Hopkins) Blazier
1949 Bob was united in marriage to Rosemary Riva
They moved to Crystal Lake in 1962 and together became integral members of the community
Bob was known for his boundless dedication and genuine care for others
he touched many lives through his leadership
His extraordinary contributions have left a lasting impression on our community for years to come
Bob served as superintendent of Crystal Lake School District 47
where he inspired a generation of students and educators with his commitment to quality education
In addition to his dedication to education
Bob served as vice president of marketing and education for Northwestern Hospital (formerly NIMC) in McHenry
He served for a long time as Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce President and finished his career as communications officer at Home State Bank
the Bob Blazier run for the arts was established and well attended for many years
showing his dedication to artistic endeavors with the Raue Center for the Arts
He was honored to have the District 47 and the Crystal Lake Chamber of commerce buildings named after him for all is years of service
but he was most passionate about his family where many trips were made to Door County
As a long-time member of the Crystal Lake Country Club
he loved playing golf and going out for dinner with the family and enjoyed the various brunches at the club
His favorite hang-out for fine dining was Da Baffone in Crystal Lake
He worked out and ran daily at HealthBridge Fitness Center well into his late 80’s
his warm smile and his deep love for Crystal Lake
Melissa Blazier and Natalie (Michael) Frericks; and great grandchildren Kash and Leni Frericks
The funeral Mass will be held the following day
A celebration of life reception will be held following the funeral Mass from 3-7pm at The Dole Mansion
donations are welcomed in Bob’s memory to the Raue Center for the Arts
Rick enjoyed building things with this brothers
He graduated from Shady Side Academy in Fox Chapel PA
From there he attended Iowa State University
graduating with a degree in technical journalism in 1966
Following graduation he married his college sweetheart
As a Navy ensign he reported aboard the USS Kingbird in Charleston SC
A transfer to Great Lakes Naval Training Center brought Rick
Rick went to work for Technical Publishing in Barrington
now a family of four with the birth of daughter Lee
As editor-in-chief of Plant Engineering magazine Rick worked throughout his career to advance professionalism in the fields of industrial engineering and the business press
Camping trips with family in their RV were highlights
Rick’s faith always shone brightly and he lived this by giving efforts to classes and committee work at church and by lending his rich bass voice to the choir
Retirement allowed Rick opportunity to enjoy more family time
to travel and to polish his photography skills
Pictures of family and scenic views from the many places they visited now adorn their retirement home
Jack Dunn (Kay) of Denver CO; and a sister-in-law
March 29 from 10 am until a memorial service at 11 am at First Church
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the First Church Faith Promise Fund which serves to directly aid local charities and missions
Donations may be sent to the church at the above address
ExpandWork continues on the Waters Edge development project on Feb
A gas leak at the Water’s Edge development in Crystal Lake Wednesday morning prompted authorities to ask people to avoid the area.
Crystal Lake Police Deputy Chief Rick Neumann said a construction crew doing work at Water’s Edge accidentally hit a three-inch gas line. Neumann confirmed there have been no injuries or explosions from the leak. Neumann said businesses were closed at the time of the leak, and the line has since been repaired and roads opened.
The city put out an alert at about 6:50 a.m. Wednesday morning telling people to avoid the area of Route 14 and Crystal Point Drive, near the Water’s Edge development. The alert said crews were working on a gas leak in the area and urged people to use alternate routes.
The city put out a follow-up alert just after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday canceling the previous alert.
Polk County Public Schools has received a one-year extension in its effort to stave off the potential closure of Crystal Lake Elementary School
Crystal Lake is the only one that has reached the stage of having the district file a turnaround plan with the Florida Department of Education
When a school receives either an F score or two consecutive Ds
the district must create a plan for improvement
A school that improves to a C is not required to continue with the turnaround plan but is monitored for three years
if the turnaround plan is not deemed successful after two years
a district must choose a different turnaround option for the school
The Department of Education offers three options: closure
conversion to a charter school or giving control to an outside operator
Crystal Lake Elementary has received D grades in the past four state reports
PCPS chose closure as the desired outcome if Crystal Lake Elementary fails to meets its turnaround goals
students would be assigned to a school with at least a C grade from the state
The district created a Community Assessment Team
to oversee procedures aimed at improving students’ performance
PCPS conducted a needs assessment of Crystal Lake Elementary based on test scores
instructional strategies and other factors
The district also analyzed three areas: school culture
curriculum and instruction and student mobility rate
The district developed plans for improvement that included such elements as using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports teams in classrooms
school-based and district coaches and using data to identify the needs of individual students
The Department of Education initially set this academic year as the deadline for Crystal Lake Elementary to achieve a C grade
But the state granted the district’s application for a one-year extension at a recent meeting
Heid told School Board members at Tuesday’s work session
I know the (turnaround) plan said closure and reconstitution
but I just want to make sure we clarify for the community that that school will continue to operate through an additional school year beyond this year
and so that's important for our community,” Heid said
“Many of our business partners and community-based partners are very excited about that.”
'Surprised and shocked': Polk County issues 6,250 citations for passing stopped school buses
Heid said he does not expect Crystal Lake Elementary to need another year to achieve a C grade
“The school is on a positive trajectory and likely will exit this year,” he said
and we fully anticipate that that school would meet those expectations.”
School Board members voted 7-0 to ratify the district’s turnaround plan
The Florida Department of Education determines school grades by assessing up to 12 components
which include grades on standardized subject tests and the percentage of students who make learning gains from one year to the next
elementary schools needed to reach 41% of the possible points to earn a C grade
Crystal Lake was among 21 schools in Polk County that received federal Unified School Improvement Grant funds in 2021 aimed at bolstering Florida’s lowest-performing 5% of schools
The money was intended to support school improvement plans
The funding provided potential bonuses to teachers at the schools who earned state ratings of effective or highly effective
The other Polk County schools on turnaround status are North Lakeland Elementary, Crystal Lake Middle, McLaughlin Academy of Excellence, Stambaugh Middle, Auburndale High and Kathleen High
All have received D grades in recent years
Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518
ExpandA child jumps into the water at while swimming at Crystal Lake's Main Beach on Friday
(Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver for Shaw Media )
The Crystal Lake Park District will host its 2025 State of the Lake informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, at the Rotary Building at Veteran Acres Park, 431 N. Walkup in Crystal Lake.
Bring your questions for the park district’s lake manager, Hey and Associates, Inc., which will give an overview of the health of Crystal Lake’s namesake body of water, including data from its studies on water quality, invasive species and aquatic vegetation. For further information on this event, contact parks Executive Director Jason Herbster at jherbster@crystallakeparks.org.
ExpandGerman Armenta-Ruiz (Photo Provided by McHenry County Sheriff's Office)
A Chicago man has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing almost $750,000 in methamphetamine and fentanyl when he was arrested in Crystal Lake last year
German Armenta-Ruiz, 59, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He is required to serve half his prison term followed by 18 months of mandatory supervised release, according to the judgment order in McHenry County court signed by Judge Mark Gerhardt
Armenta-Ruiz was arrested by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force in the parking lot of a Motel 8 with Jesus Benitez-Estrada
who also was charged with possession of and intent to deliver more than 900 grams of fentanyl mixed with methamphetamine
At the hearing, Assistant Public Defender David Giesinger argued for the defendants’ pretrial release, saying that neither man has a criminal history and they have jobs and families to care for. He also said the state hasn’t shown that they were anything other than “unwitting couriers.”
“Dealers like to use people with little criminal background to transport drugs without their knowledge,” Giesinger said.
Armenta-Ruiz is receiving 216 days of credit in jail since his arrest. An additional count of delivery of more than 900 grams of methamphetamine, a Class X felony, was dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea, records show.
An attempt to reach Armenta-Ruiz’s attorney for comment was not successful.
Kekona (Photo Provided by McHenry County Sheriff's Office)
A Crystal Lake man has been charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly charged at a police officer with a ukulele as a weapon
Ledreck K. Kekona, 41, was charged with aggravated assault to a police officer and resisting a police officer, according to a complaint filed in McHenry County court.
At 10:54 p.m. Wednesday in Crystal Lake, Kekona was arrested and accused of “wielding a ukulele, as it was held in a raised and cocked position, holding it by the arm of the instrument,” an action that led the officer to believe “he was going to be struck by the musical instrument,” according to the complaint.
Kekona also was charged with resisting an officer after he refused to place his arms behind his back when officers said he was under arrest, according to the complaint.
Judge Cynthia Lamb released Kekona from jail with conditions Thursday, including that he refrain from possessing a firearm or any dangerous weapons and that he submit to pretrial supervision. Kekona is due to appear in court for a preliminary hearing May 8, according to court records.
ExpandA rendering shows the theater-in-the-round structure planned at Crystal Lake's Depot Park
The renovation of Crystal Lake’s downtown Depot Park is underway
creating a new “community gathering area” with a performance space and seating
located by the Crystal Lake Metra station by North Main Street and East Woodstock Street
will feature a covered pergola with metal swings
landscaping and increased pedestrian access to “promote community gathering,” according to city documents
A layout of the Depot Park renovations in Crystal Lake
The veterans memorial will be moved from its current location
but it will still be within the park and will be more visible from Woodstock Street
Community Development Director Kathryn Cowlin said
Features that will remain are the PACE bus stop
Pop’s Corn Crib and the number of parking spaces
“The enhancements are an economic development investment to energize the downtown Crystal Lake district through the expansion of a public gathering space that is accessible for all ages,” according to the city’s website
with construction preparations planned for May
the area will be inaccessible to the public
along with expanded landscaped and lawn areas
the city landed on a final design that incorporated both clay and glass bricks with a sign that reads
“Crystal Lake: A good place to live.” A backlit wall with LED lights will illuminate the wall at nighttime
A nighttime rendering of the theater-in-the-round structure at Crystal Lake's Depot Park
Developers have estimated at previous City Council meetings that the project will cost about $5 million.
In total, the new park will have seating for over 400 people with fixed seating for 152 people and room for temporary seating of blankets and chairs for 271 people, according to city documents.
“It ties in the history of Crystal Lake; it complements the area,” Cowlin said at a previous city council meeting. “It has that flowing feel that we were looking for, that native landscaping and a lot of great improvements.”
The city recently completed renovations to the downtown Brink Street Market Plaza and next on the docket is the renovation of the plaza near Crystal Lake Brewing.
ExpandPolice continue to have a portion of the 300 block of Briarwood Road near Crystal Lake blocked off to traffic on April 11
A man who barricaded himself inside a home near Crystal Lake on Thursday before he was shot dead by police has been identified
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Darrick Lawrence
and the coroner’s office is continuing to work with the Major Investigation Assistance Team during the investigation
according to a news release from the coroner’s office
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office announced in a late-night news release that a deputy shot and killed an armed man after a standoff with police
Authorities said they were dispatched about 4:20 p.m
Thursday to the 300 block of Briarwood Road for a domestic disturbance
Deputies made contact with an armed man who authorities said barricaded himself inside the home
The sheriff’s SWAT and hostage negotiation teams were called to the scene
and the latter “was in active conversation with the suspect in an effort to get him out safely
A “deputy-involved shooting occurred,” and the suspect was later pronounced dead
An investigation into the shooting has been launched by the MIAT with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office
and MIAT will review body-worn camera footage as well as other evidence
The sheriff’s office had issued a warning Thursday evening for people to avoid the area
and then reported hours later that the situation was resolved
The company Day’s and Crawford Scrap Metal is listed with the same address as Lawrence
According to a Facebook post made by the company
The company’s Facebook page describes the business as the “oldest recycling center in McHenry County.”
A devoted husband of 31 years to his wife Helen
A proud and loving father to Andrew (wife Juliet) and Brian (partner Cedric)
A loyal son to Bill Senior and June Stripp of Crystal Lake and son-in-law to Barbara and Bob Bond of Barrington
An incredible brother to Laura Capinha (husband Curt Capinha)
brother-in-law to Charlotte and Matt Helms and a joyous and fun uncle to Alice
Family and friends were the center of Bill’s life
and nothing made him happier than having everyone together
Whether it was a good board game in the dining room or cooking out on his Traeger grill for a group of 60+
he was always up for a heartfelt conversation or a fun moment
Bill was Scoutmaster Emeritus with Troop 347 and was so proud of his two sons when they made Eagle rank
He was a true mentor to many youths in his beloved Crystal Lake community
He loved spending time outdoors camping and hiking
Whenever he had the opportunity to hike Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico
Baldy and watching the sunrise on top of the Tooth of Time were some of his most loved memories
Soccer was another passion of Bill’s
He coached for many years with the Crystal Lake Soccer Federation and played for the Fox Valley Hammers
another favorite activity was the Crystal Lake Cardboard Cup Regatta in which he had several award-winning boats including: The Mucky Ducks
Bill’s presence will be sorely missed
A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday
November 16th 2024 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake.
Unique Japanese discount retail store Daiso is taking over the shuttered BuyBuy Baby property in Crystal Lake with a grand opening this weekend
making the retailer one of the first in the state and Midwest
The former BuyBuy Baby store has been divided into two spaces for Daiso and Michaels, which opened in February
Daiso is expecting a large turnout of over 400 people opening weekend
as this will be the “flagship store for Illinois,” Daiso Regional Director Brian Prettyman said in an email to the Northwest Herald
pronounced “die-so,” is a Japan-based discount store that sells Japanese-inspired home decor
The 50-year-old retailer started in the U.S
“Daiso is probably like Walmart in Japan,” Daiso Chief Operations Officer Jack Williams said
The retailer is considered a “100-yen” store
Crystal Lake’s 15,400-square-foot store will be the first in the U.S
to carry two other brands in the store: Threeppy and Standard Products
Threeppy is a combination of “300 yen” and “happy,” and includes colorful home
Standard Products sell minimalistic-designed coordinated kitchen and organization items
Location: 5548 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake
Store hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
What to know: The first 100 customers to make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive a goodie bag. Coupon offers will be available all weekend while supplies last.
Malabanan (Photo Provided by McHenry County Sheriff's Office)
A Crystal Lake man has been charged with hitting and abusing a woman older than 60 for whom he was a caregiver
Nikko Ravay C. Malabanan, 25, was charged with aggravated battery to a person 60 or older and criminal abuse or neglect as a caregiver of a person older than 60, according to a criminal complaint filed in McHenry County court.
The complaint alleges that Malabanan hit a woman on her “arm and hands, leaving a bruise,” and “knowingly endangered the health or caused injury” to the woman.
Last week, Judge Cynthia Lamb released Malabanan while he awaits trial with conditions, including refraining from contact with the victim or any “elderly or mentally incapacitated person, as a caregiver or a health care provider.” Lamb also ordered Malabanan to obtain an anger management evaluation. Malabanan is due to appear in court again May 6, according to court records.
Crystal Lake Central sophomore Oli Victorine rolled her left ankle in practice two weeks ago
leaving her status for Tuesday’s Fox Valley Conference showdown against Huntley in doubt
The Tigers pitcher returned to action over the weekend as a hitter and smacked her first home run of the season
Victorine was back in her familiar place in the pitcher’s circle Tuesday and was just as grand
Continuing a trend of strong pitching for Central
scattered six hits and stranded seven base runners as the Tigers beat the four-time defending FVC champions 3-0 to open conference play
who burst onto the scene a year ago with a 1.49 ERA
0.91 WHIP and 170 strikeouts in 103⅔ innings
“No matter how small or how underrated people think we are
Few will be underrating the Tigers this year
7 team in the Class 3A Illinois Coaches Association poll and have been difficult to deal with early on
1-0) received timely hitting Tuesday to defeat a Huntley (3-5
0-1) team with only three losses in FVC play from 2021-2024
“This is the team that everybody’s been chasing for years,” Tigers coach Brian Strombom said of Huntley
Freshman first baseman Lily Perocho put the Tigers in the lead with a bloop single into right field on a 1-2 count against Huntley starting pitcher Gretchen Huber (4 IP
Perocho’s two-out hit drove in cleanup hitter Adi Waliullah
who scored her team’s first two runs of the game and went 3 for 3 with two singles
poked Huber’s pitch out of the reach of Huntley first baseman Isabelle Boskey and into the right-field grass
‘Oli’s doing great in the circle and she needs someone to get in that run,’ ” Perocho said
Perocho’s quick rise to varsity has been a dream come true
“I’ve been wanting to play varsity softball since I was 9,” Perocho said
“I just want to live up to my potential and have my pitchers’ back and play for my team
The Raiders made some uncharacteristic mistakes with four errors
including a pair in the seventh that led to the Tigers’ third and final run on a sacrifice fly by Liv Shaw
Central got its second run in the sixth on a long base hit by catcher Cassidy Murphy
Her line drive hit halfway up the fence in center field to bring in Waliullah
throwing the final three innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits
Huntley expects a challenging conference race
“It’s going to be ultra-competitive this year,” said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec
whose Raiders were no-hit by Prairie Ridge in last year’s FVC opener before they went on to win their fourth straight conference title
“Everybody’s bringing back the majority of their team
so you’ve got to bring your best every day.”
The coroner has released the identity of a 46-year-old man who was fatally shot by a SWAT team after the man reportedly fired shots during an hours-long standoff near Crystal Lake.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said they responded around 4:23 p.m. Thursday to the 300 block of South Briarwood Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake for a domestic dispute.
A 911 caller reported a man was yelling and fighting with family members at the residence.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and encountered a male suspect armed with a rifle.
Sheriff’s officials said the gunman barricaded himself in the residence.
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein identified the suspect on Friday as Darrick Lawrence, 46, of Crystal Lake.
Deputies shortly after reported shots being fired from the house by the suspect, according to police radio traffic.
Other people who were inside the home were safely evacuated as deputies surrounded the area.
Additional police resources and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT Team and Hostage Negotiation Team were called to assist.
A police command post was established nearby at the Lakewood Police Department.
The sheriff’s office issued an alert saying that heavy police activity was in the area of Briarwood Road and North Avenue due to the incident and asked people to avoid the area.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded and staged nearby during the standoff.
Negotiators began communicating with Lawrence while snipers were set up in the area focused on the home, according to police radio traffic.
Sheriff’s officials said the Hostage Negotiation Team was in “active conversation” with Lawrence in an effort to get him out safely.
The negotiation efforts failed and a “deputy-involved shooting” occurred, the sheriff’s office said.
A robot and a drone were eventually deployed and the SWAT team entered the residence around 7:30 p.m. after firing shots at Lawrence.
Officers entered and found Lawrence had been struck by the gunfire during the deputy-involved shooting. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff’s officials said around 9:15 p.m. that the situation was no longer active but Briarwood Road between North Avenue and Gilbert Avenue remained closed for the investigation.
The Major Investigation Assistance Team (MIAT), McHenry County Coroner’s Office and McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office are investigating in accordance with department policy and state law.
Interviews and evidence, including a review of body-worn camera footage, will be conducted by MIAT.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy on Lawrence for Friday afternoon.
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To keep you informed about the latest news across Lake and McHenry counties as it happens.
SoftballHarvard 4, Woodstock 1: At Harvard, senior pitcher and NCAA Division I Belmont commit Tallulah Eichholz struck out 10 and surpassed 800 in her career as the Hornets won their Kishwaukee River Conference game over the Blue Streaks on Tuesday. Manhatyn Brincks and Aideliz Renteria had RBIs for Harvard. Tipper Axelson struck out eight for Woodstock.
Huntley 3, Crystal Lake Central 1: At Crystal Lake, the Red Raiders scored all three runs in the top of the sixth to secure the Fox Valley Conference win. Aubrina Adamik, Sadie Svendsen and Lyla Ginczycki had RBIs in support of Gretchen Huber, who struck out 14 for Huntley. Ella Arana had an RBI for Central.
Jacobs 7, Larkin 6 (8 inn.): At Elgin, Talia Di Silvio had an RBI triple in the top of the eighth, driving in Molly Hoch with the go-ahead run in the nonconference win. Di Silvio had three RBIs, and Kate Takasaki hit a two-run homer for Jacobs.
Marengo 10, Woodstock North 5: At Marengo, Ari Rodriguez and Ellie White had a pair of RBIs each as the Indians won the KRC contest. Kylee Jensen homered for Marengo. Makayla Nordahl had a pair of hits for North.
Harvard 1, Plano 0: At Plano, the Hornets didn’t get a hit, but it didn’t matter. Adam Cooke struck out eight and allowed just six hits as the Hornets edged the Reapers in the KRC. Landon Crone scored the only run of the game for Harvard.
Marengo 15, Belvidere 0 (4 inn.): At Marengo, Sam Chaffin allowed one hit as the Indians crushed the Bucs in a nonconference contest. Caden Oine and Max Broughton had three RBIs apiece, and Alex Johnson and Alten Bergbreiter added two each for Marengo.
Lakes 7, Jacobs 3: At Lake Villa, Andrew Deegan, Jace Koth, and Aaden Colon had two hits each as Jacobs fell in a nonconference contest to the Eagles.
Westminster Christian 13, Alden-Hebron 0 (6 inn.): At Hebron, Hoyt Miles had the only hit of the afternoon for the Giants.
Cary-Grove 7, Hampshire 0: At Hampshire, Bryce Shechtman and Jackson Karlovsky won No. 1 and 2 singles in straight sets to lead the Trojans in an FVC dual victory. Ryan Dixon and Lincoln Karlovsky won at No. 1 doubles for C-G.
Crystal Lake Central 6, McHenry 1: At McHenry, Brayden Gordon and Nick Marchant won in straight sets at No. 1 doubles as the Tigers swept all four doubles matches and won the FVC dual. Mohsin Rizvi won at No. 1 singles for McHenry.
Woodstock North 3, Woodstock 2 (PKs): At Woodstock, the Thunder pulled out a KRC win in penalty kicks over their crosstown rivals. North made three of their five penalty kicks to win after Eva Hermansson and Serena Banushi each scored in regulation for the Thunder (7-5, 4-2).
Keira Bogott and Kendall Pope each scored in regulation for the Blue Streaks (9-5, 5-1).
Harvard 4, Belvidere 2: At Belvidere, Julie Silva scored all four goals as the Hornets took the nonconference contest. Lila Amis had three assists for Harvard.
Crystal Lake Central 2, Crystal Lake South 0: At Crystal Lake, Hadley Ferrero and Addison Schaffer scored for the Tigers.
Jacobs 3, Dundee-Crown 1: At Carpentersville, Gabby Wojtarowicz scored two goals to lift the Golden Eagles to the FVC win. Avery Michalak added a goal for Jacobs. Rylie Mensik scored for D-C.
Huntley 5, Hampshire 0: At Hampshire, Maddie Cummings scored twice and assisted on two others as the Red Raiders won in the FVC. Evelyn Stec, Peyton Ruffner and Hailey Brandlin scored for Huntley.
Burlington Central 7, McHenry 0: At Burlington, the Rockets beat the Warriors in an FVC game.
Crystal Lake South 13, Boylan 4: At Rockford, Drake Lenckus had two goals and seven assists, breaking the school record for assists in a season, to lead the Gators past the Titans.
Braedon Muraski scored five goals, Logan Driscol had three, and Renner Stavroplos added two.
Richmond-Burton 82, Johnsburg 46, Harvard 43: At Richmond, Nate Mareno won the long jump and high jump to lead R-B to the win in the KRC tri-meet. Brent Cetnarowicz won the shot and discus for Johnsburg. Jonathan Meza won the 800, and Nathanael Alvarez won the 100 for Harvard.
Woodstock North 80, Marengo 51: At Marengo, JR Fadahunsi won the 100, 400 and long jump to lead the Thunder to the win in the KRC. Oliver Stack won the 1,600 and 3,200 for Marengo.
Sandwich 87, Woodstock 82.5, Plano 77.5, Aurora Christian 16: At Plano, Zach Kniola won the 110 and 300 hurdles to lead Woodstock to the second-place finish in the Plano quad.
Johnsburg 84, Richmond-Burton 49, Harvard 38: At Richmond, Stori Hurckes won the shot put and discus to lead the Skyhawks to the win. Sophia Komar won the 200 for R-B. Jaden Timblin won the high jump for Harvard.
Marengo 89, Woodstock North 49: At Marengo, Amy Smith won the 800 and 1,600, Olivia Walter took the 100 and 300 hurdles, and Leah Palanos won the long and triple jumps for Marengo. Brenna McConnell won the shot put and discus for Woodstock North.
Woodstock 88, Plano 79, Sandwich 44, Aurora Christian 25: At Plano, Mia Foss captured the triple jump and the 200 meters to lead Woodstock to the quad meet win. Amina Idris won the 100 hurdles, Sophia Mendoza took the long jump and Hannah Olsen the pole vault for Woodstock.
to the late Harry Murval and Carol (nee Souza) Smith
Kim attended Crystal Lake Central High School
where she played tennis and was a varsity cheerleader
She attended Illinois College in Jacksonville
where she played tennis and graduated as an English major
Kim went on to earn her master’s degree at Northern Illinois University
Kim was a teacher and librarian at Lundahl Middle School in Crystal Lake
She was one of the popular teachers you knew you were lucky to have
Kim would care about you and teach you a thing or two along the way
Everything Kim did in school was about the kids
She believed that all learning must be purposeful
Her teaching met the needs of all students
She took pride in finding you the perfect gift and wanted to make your day memorable
and her desserts never lasted long when placed on the counter
She was a big U of I basketball fan and always watched the games when they were on
She was an avid reader and enjoyed shows and movies with a good storyline
She helped guide her family with sound advice and wanted to ensure they looked at a situation from all sides
Kim liked to spend time with her close friends and always brightened their day
She saw the humor in all things absurd and had a laugh everyone recognized
The best part of her day was spending time with them or talking to them via FaceTime or phone
she made sure she divided her attention equally
All five grandchildren were a source of Kim’s endless love and at the heart of all she did
Scott (Jen Wilcoxen) Copeland and Stacy (Mark) Kokot; her grandchildren
Gavin and Brielle Kokot; her sister-in-law
Karen Smith; her niece Emily Bradley; and many family and friends
To say Kim will be missed would be an understatement
She was a beacon of light to all who knew her
and her impact on this world will last forever
She wasn’t just Kimberly Carol Copeland; she was Mom
from 3 PM to 7 PM at Davenport Family Funeral Home
at the funeral home from 10:30 AM until the memorial service at 11:30 AM
Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory
At least that gives me plenty of time to speculate over some questions I have about Jason Voorhees’ small screen return in Crystal Lake
Before I discuss some of the things that Crystal Lake has me racking my brain over
let’s unmask some some of the confirmed facts that we know about the series so far
Just how does Crystal Lake intend to reimagine the origins of one of the most iconic horror movie villains
which is something I would very much like to see
there is no telling right now how much of the scripts written under Fuller will be used under the new management but I hope not too much is changing
but that would have been an epic example of becoming your own worst enemy
An especially epic idea might be to involve Ari Lehman – the very first actor to play Jason in that shocking jump scare from the end of the first film
I know I said earlier that Crystal Lake was going to the long-awaited 13th installment of the Friday the 13th franchise but that is not entirely true and
it will not even be the first TV show connected to the hit movies
but only in name as it has virtually nothing to do with Crystal Lake or Jason Voorhees and instead follows two young antique store owners tasked with recovering lost
I realize that this new show’s objective is to explore the origins of the camp and its hockey-masked boogeyman but it would be cool to see it at least include some subtle reference to the franchise's original
if handled with the utmost passion for the material
Crystal Lake has the potential to be one of the best and bloodiest of the bunch so far
His occupation results from years dreaming of a filmmaking career
settling on a "professional film fan" career
studying journalism at Lindenwood University in St
MO (where he served as Culture Editor for its student-run print and online publications)
and a brief stint of reviewing movies for fun
He would later continue that side-hustle of film criticism on TikTok (@wiesewisdom)
where he posts videos on a semi-weekly basis
Look for his name in almost any article about Batman
you will then be prompted to enter your display name
Paget Brewster Shared The Story Behind A Wardrobe Mishap She Had While Working With Matthew Perry On Friends
Christopher Meloni Revealed F-Bomb-Filled Things People Yell At Him While Filming Law And Order On The Streets Of NYC: 'That Kind Of Blew That Take'
Star Wars: Tales Of The Underworld Reveals How Asajj Ventress Came Back To Life
ExpandAn example of the inside of a VASA Fitness
The gym will replace the former Burlington store at 6120 Northwest Highway
The first VASA Fitness gym in the northwest suburbs is coming to Crystal Lake as the Colorado-based company looks to open its seventh Illinois location at the former Burlington store
Weights and gym equipment are placed in the middle of the building and surrounded by “boutique-style fitness” rooms
VASA’s vice president of development and general counsel
“It’s set up as a modular layout so that if something falls out of favor
it’s easy to come in and replace it,” she said
so that’s being replaced with mostly lifting and things like that.”
A rendering shows how VASA Fitness will replace the former Burlington store at 6120 Route 14
Some of VASA’s boutique offerings include a strength training class called “Studio LFT,” a yoga session known as “Studio Flow” and a high-intensity interval training class similar to OrangeTheory classes called “Studio Red,” Dodd said
The big-box building at 6120 Route 14, which is about 63,000 square feet, became vacant after Burlington moved in September to its current location about a half-mile east at 5786 Route 14.
Membership prices range from $15 to $35 a month, Dodd said.
“What we strive for and what we talk about is being able to lift your grandchild, lift your groceries. It’s a functional type of fitness,” she said.
The Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 Wednesday in favor of a sign variation to allow for a red accent tower. The City Council will vote on the matter March 18. Commissioners were in favor of the business coming to the city, but many did not like the look of the exterior red tower.
“To me – and I don’t mean to insult you – it almost looks like a car dealership sign,” Commissioner Bill Gronow said. “I’m just really not in favor of that much red. [I’m] not necessarily opposed to what you’re trying to do, [but] that’s my concern.”
After years of stormwater runoff and waves eroding the beach at Crystal Lake in Newton Centre
the City of Newton will install a new drainage system to prevent future damage
per a vote by the Newton Conservation Commission on Thursday
Newton Chief Environmental Planner Jennifer Steel said that the driveway at Crystal Lake had been eroded by stormwater runoff and was shedding asphalt onto the sand
falling-apart asphalt here that has really just sort of been breaking off the edge of the access driveway,” Steel said
This was because the existing drainage system was not large enough to accommodate all the runoff from the beach’s driveway
especially in storms that create more than one inch of rain
but it is also too narrow to really capture water that’s coming down
quite a clip from this steep parking lot and a relatively steep driveway,” Steel said
A wider drain will mitigate the possibility of erosion in the future
“It’s going to be replaced with a brand-new wider trench drain
so that water won’t be able to jump over it so easily,” Steel said
This process will require the city to remove the asphalt over the current drain and install a wider drain and a new infiltration system underground
Newton will also install boulders and granite to form a curb at the end of the driveway so that the material is not so easily eroded by water
Waves from the lake have also eroded almost a foot of sand near a stone retaining wall between the beach and open lawn area at Crystal Lake
leaving the wall almost floating above the sand where it used to be buried
“There’s just nothing supporting the base of this wall,” Steel said
“The wall is literally just hanging off of the boulders above
There’s nothing supporting the footings.”
While the new drainage system will help prevent further erosion
the city also plans to reinforce the wall’s structure to counteract the existing damage
“This will be filled and patched with mortar to ensure that there is some sort of a proper footing for this wall so that it can be made to stand for some years to come,” Steel said
These fixes are only temporary until Crystal Lake Beach sees a more “extensive renovation in the future,” according to the project proposal
said he was looking forward to completing the project
“We are going to be doing this in-house with DPW and utilities
so it’ll be a fun project for us to take on,” Perez Demorizi said
While the Commission didn’t set a specific deadline for the project
Demorizi said the improvements must be completed before the city installs docks in the water on May 27
The Commission voted unanimously to approve the improvements
NEWS SPORTS ARTS MAGAZINE NEWTON OPINIONS MULTIMEDIA
ExpandRolling Thunder donates Chair of Honor to McHenry County Sheriff's Office
(Photo Provided by McHenry County Sheriff's Office)
In 2013, remains of U.S. Army Cpl. Donald Victor MacLean, who died while serving in Korea, were returned to his family in McHenry County
63 years after being listed as missing in action
MacLean’s is just one story of about 80,000 U.S
servicemen and women listed as suspected prisoners of war or missing in action from previous conflict
They are the reason why one group of motorcycle-riding veterans
donate honorary chairs to communities across the country as daily reminders of those who haven’t yet come home
Army veteran and retired chairman of Rolling Thunder‘s Illinois Chapter 2
and members of the Rolling Thunder group are seen April 24
during the dedication of the chair in honor of POW and MIA service members
which is on display at the McHenry County courthouse
(Photo provided by McHenry County Sheriff's Office)
During a ceremony held outside the courthouse
speakers noted the significance of the chair remaining “perpetually empty to help people remember that
there is still a space for them,” according to a sheriff’s news release
adding the chair “is a symbol of the loss of life and the unfinished stories of those who never returned home.”
“We are deeply honored to receive the POW/MIA Chair of Honor from Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 2,” Sheriff Robb Tadelman said
“This powerful symbol serves as a lasting reminder of the brave men and women who have yet to return home
We are grateful for Rolling Thunder‘s dedication to ensuring that their sacrifice is never forgotten.”
POW/MIA Chairs of Honor can be found in public spaces
serving as symbols of Rolling Thunder‘s mission and the nation’s promise to “never forget,” the organization said
a recent tally put the number of Illinois MIAs at 5,041: 259 from World War I
394 from the Korean War and 103 from Vietnam
His chapter has assisted in returning 25 MIAs home in the northern Illinois area
he was “unidentifiable.” His remains were interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii
according to information from Rolling Thunder
MacLean’s remains were exhumed and DNA testing revealed his identity
More than 100 people attended MacLean’s funeral where he was buried with full military honors and family members present
the ceremony brought a sense of closure to the family
and pride to his Veteran brothers and sisters,” according to information from Rolling Thunder
MacLean was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and several other medals
Members of the Rolling Thunder group install a donated Chair of Honor to at the McHenry County courthouse to honor POW and MIA military service members
Kirkpatrick said he and members from Rolling Thunder were among those who accompanied MacLean’s processional
He recalled as they drove past a middle school and children stood outside as they passed
“The MIA story is much larger than our little area and
when we look at the 80,000 missing servicemen and women
the number of families affected becomes very large,” Kirkpatrick said