Lake and McHenry County Scanner Police say a person of interest has been identified after a suspected arson fire that damaged three vehicles in a parking lot in a neighborhood in Grayslake Friday morning The Grayslake Police Department and Grayslake Fire Protection District responded around 2:15 a.m Friday to the 800 block of Shakespeare Drive for a report of a vehicle fire The incident occurred in a parking lot of a townhome community Police officials said officers found two unoccupied vehicles on fire The fire department quickly extinguished the fire A third vehicle was also damaged due to its proximity to the fire No nearby structures were impacted by the fire A preliminary investigation determined that the fire appeared suspicious in nature A person of interest was quickly identified and is being interviewed by detectives The case is pending further investigation and no charges have been announced yet 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 Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods will present “Convergence: Health Equity in a Changing Climate,” a powerful multidisciplinary concert experience at Prairie Crossing Charter School’s Gaylord Nelson Gymnasium Guided by Brushwood Center’s Ensemble-in-Residence this 90-minute bilingual performance (in English and Spanish) blends original music illustration and storytelling to express the lived experiences of Lake County communities impacted by environmental racism and health inequities The performance includes new works by acclaimed composers Marc Mellits and Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate and visual artwork from five nationally recognized artists “Convergence” explores the intersection of climate change community health and the power of the arts to drive awareness and change hosted by Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Prairie Crossing Charter School and made possible through a grant from Healing Illinois This marks the third collaboration between PCUUC and PCCS both of which share a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement The hosts are excited to welcome Brushwood Center an organization known for its innovative work at the intersection of art “We attended the premiere of ‘Convergence’ last June and were completely blown away,” said Trisha Steele “This is a performance you truly have to experience; I've never seen anything like it.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the event will take place in the school gymnasium. To register, visit brushwoodcenter.org or check the events calendar at prairiecircleuuc.org Prairie Crossing Charter School’s Gaylord Nelson Gymnasium Two suspects have been arrested after prosecutors say they committed a residential burglary at a house in Grayslake where they stole over $1,000 in electronics Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said two people went to the Grayslake Police Department on March 28 to report a burglary at their residence that occurred while no one was home There was no sign of forced entry to the house but there were signs of forced entry to a locked bedroom of the home Officers observed the door to appear to have been kicked in The resident had locked his room prior to leaving and his door required a key to get inside A gaming laptop and a PlayStation 5 were both stolen committed the burglary because he had been at the residence earlier in the day looking for money The mother initially gave Kozlov some money and refused to give him more but he continued to pester her for more money Kozlov previously lived at the house but does not reside there anymore and had not lived there for a while prior to the burglary Officers canvassed the area for neighbors who might have surveillance footage and were able to obtain video from multiple cameras The footage showed a black Toyota Corolla arriving in front of the home at 6:22 p.m The footage showed the two males exiting the vehicle and going towards the residence Both subjects were seen running from the back yard while holding items approximately eight minutes later and then entering the vehicle and fleeing the area Investigators interviewed Drees on April 13 after the Lake County Sheriff’s Office located him McConnell said Drees immediately admitted to committing the residential burglary and stealing the laptop and PlayStation 5 with Kozlov Drees also said that Kozlov drove to the residence in Kozlov’s car Drees told investigators the two were able to enter the house because Kozlov unlocked a side door before he left the home earlier that day McConnell said they entered through the unlocked side door as planned and made their way to the locked bedroom where Kozlov kicked open the door The two then stole the PlayStation 5 and the laptop and left Drees said they pawned the items at a pawnshop for money to buy drugs Officers also arrested Kozlov at the time they located Drees but they did not interview him as he appeared “out of it,” McConnell said Kozlov and Drees were both charged with one count of residential burglary Kozlov was on probation at the time for reckless driving in Lake County and has a prior history of criminal offenses Drees was on pre-trial release in a December misdemeanor Lake County case for retail theft Drees was previously convicted of a felony in a 2022 Lake County case where he threatened to shoot up Grayslake Central High School and dismember fellow students He received probation in the case initially but the probation was revoked and he was re-sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed petitions to detain Drees and Kozlov pending trial which were granted by Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim following separate detention hearings The two are set to appear in court again on May 7 for a preliminary hearing IL — Elizabeth Davies has pulled far ahead of her opponent in the Grayslake mayoral race Davies thanked the more than 90 percent of voters who chose her over Avon Township Board trustee Jeff Loffredo "Thank you to everyone who believed in me and made sure to vote Thank you to everyone who took a yard sign or sent encouragement my way," she wrote in the Facebook post "Your support truly means everything to me and I’m so excited to get a chance to serve you as mayor." and with 100% of precincts reporting in Lake County Davies had 2,385 votes over Loffredo's 246 votes Davies will be Grayslake's first new mayor in 16 years The mayoral seat has been held by Rhett Taylor since 2009 I’m committed to making our community an even better place for all of us and I can’t wait to get to work," Davies wrote in her Facebook post Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. "Scaled" Grayslake site set to host 20 buildings T5 Data Centers is looking to develop multiple gigawatt-scale campuses “We’re thrilled to announce our scaled campus in Grayslake, IL,” the company announced on LinkedIn over the weekend “The Grayslake scaled campus marks a key milestone in our vision to build five 1GW scaled data center campuses designed to meet customer demand and fuel long-term growth with reliable T5 said the site will support 20 buildings Occupancy for the first phase is set to start in 2027 Grayslake is located 40 miles north of Chicago. T5 first announced plans for a Grayslake campus in May 2024; at the time the 160-acre site was set to span 480MW with the first building slated to come online in Q4 2027 said: “The expansion of our Grayslake data center campus is an exciting step forward in T5 Data Centers’ strategic vision to develop five scaled He continued: "With up to 1.2GW of IT capacity and 1.6GW of secured utility power the CHI lV campus will provide the scalable high-performance infrastructure required to support AI and commercial cloud deployments This investment underscores our long-term commitment to leading the next generation of digital infrastructure.” T5 has confirmed that the new announcement is an upgrade to the previously announced Grayslake site "This is an expansion (land assemblage) to our existing campus that will now allow us to support 1.2 GW of IT capacity T5 has secured enough utility power to support our goal of a 20-building campus and this land acquisition will help support this strategy," the company told us Phase 1 of the campus will total three 60MW buildings The development will have a 1.6 GW ComEd onsite substation with additional T5 substations (switchyards) throughout the campus On its website, the company lists T5@Chicago IV in Grayslake; the listing says the 140-acre site is set to offer 540MW across 2 million sq ft The listing suggests the first phase will offer 30MW across 100,000 sq ft Update: T5 has since updated its Graylake page T5 already operates a data center site in the Chicago area at Elk Grove, and is planning a 36MW facility at nearby Northlake T5 didn't provide any more information to DCD on where the other gigawatt-scale campuses will be located Data Centre Dynamics Ltd (DCD), 32-38 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH Email. [email protected]DCD is a subsidiary of InfraXmedia A pair of major injuries forced Riley O’Grady to spend her freshman softball season at Grant as the team manager Now O’Grady is back and managing to put a big hurt on softballs like she did in Tuesday’s Northern Lake County Conference game at Grayslake North O’Grady’s four line drives in 4 at-bats resulted in 3 doubles 4-2) had 10 of its 18 hits go for extra bases in a 21-8 victory in 5 innings “I was just focused on waiting back and getting my eyes on the ball and staying focused and in the game,” said O’Grady who missed last year with a torn meniscus in her knee from wrestling and a torn labrum in her shoulder “We’re definitely a really good offensive team Sometimes we get to little plateaus a little bit we’re really good and we score a lot of runs.” Winning pitcher McKenzie Zamora went 4-for-5 with 2 doubles and an RBI as North (12-6 4-2) was missing its top two pitchers to injuries in freshmen Riley O’Brien and Grace Hoker O’Brien is 8-1 with a 1.92 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 62 innings Ella Masak hit a 2-run homer to cap an 8-run second inning and had an RBI double in a 9-run fifth Whisper Hunt and Grayce Haschak also had 2 hits apiece Bri Lopez had a 3-run double and 3 walks and Kahrsten Geary Kaylin Worley and Leigha Koch gave everyone in the starting lineup a hit and obviously we didn’t see their best pitcher where it shouldn’t matter and offensively we’re doing what we’re trained to do,” said Grant coach Chris Van Alstine “We did a great job today letting the ball get to our back thigh area “Riley O’Grady is one of the strongest players I’ve ever coached North also had success at the plate to get within 9-3 after three and finish with a 5-run fifth Kendall Joy went 2-for-3 with a double and 2 RBI Dakota McLester and Alyson Alvarenga had RBI singles and Brena Dalton had a 2-run double Grant surpassed its win total of last season at 12-19 “It feels different from last year because we have a lot more positive energy,” O’Grady said “They enjoy each other and this group has bought into the fact it’s not about “They do what they’re asked and play for each other We didn’t lose a ton of people but the mindset changed.” 2025 at 6:56 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}In Grayslake SummerFest — formerly known as Summer Days —draws crowds every year to downtown Grayslake Here's what we know so far about this year's festival IL — As we start to finally feel a hint of warmer temperatures — and with summer right around the corner — preparations are well underway for many popular festivals throughout the Chicago suburbs Here's what we know so far about this year's festival: There will be no carnival rides or outdoor drinks or food allowed at this festival which is organized by the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce For more information,visit the Lakeside Festival website. The two candidates vying to be Grayslake village president have different campaign priorities with incumbent Trustee Elizabeth Davies focusing on keeping the town debt-free and community oriented while Jeff Loffredo is seeking to improve the town’s infrastructure and increase public involvement said in an interview with The Daily Herald Editorial Board this week that she is confident she can step up to the top job with her experience and looks forward to building on Grayslake’s strengths a village resident for more than 20 years who serves as a trustee on the Avon Township board he has seen water backup when it rains and sidewalks that could use repair “The drainage is really a big problem with the older communities that helps with a better look in the community across the board,” Loffredo said has worked in construction for more than 15 years Davies said the village has been actively addressing infrastructure issues including the areas where Loffredo highlighted need improvement After a heavy rainstorm in 2017 caused severe flooding the village used a drone to identify drainage issues Davies said she has experience with numbers allowing her to contribute to maintaining the village’s strong financial foundation it’s important to use village funds to invest in the residents’ quality of life such as maintaining a nature trail and organizing community events “I have a really great sense for what people want in town the sense of community that we’re trying to attain Those are pieces that are very important to me,” she said Davies also emphasized that she would prioritize reducing the tax burden Loffredo said residents have expressed a desire for having a marijuana dispensary in town which he said could alleviate the tax burden Davies expressed strong support for a proposed waste transfer station at the Countryside landfill site She said the plan would benefit the area while being environmentally friendly including features such as solar panels and gas transfer to reduce emissions Though Loffredo said he wasn’t familiar with the details of the proposed waste transfer station Both agree that to be successful leaders they must listen to others and find ways to collaborate despite differences of opinion 2025 at 8:21 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Voters will head to the polls this Tuesday to make their selection for the village's mayoral seat which has been held by Rhett Taylor since 2009 a new mayor will be seated in Grayslake this spring Voters headed to the polls this Tuesday to make their selection for the village's mayoral seat Grayslake village board trustee Elizabeth Davies and Avon Township Board trustee Jeff Loffredo squared off in the 2025 local election Davies spelled out what her priorities would be if she was picked to be Grayslake's next top leader in a recent Patch.com candidate questionnaire who has been a village board trustee for 10 years said the top issue Grayslake faces moving forward is "undoubtedly our tax burden." She said the village has worked hard to keep the village portion of property taxes low "I remain committed to the proven fiscal policies that have made Grayslake successful during my 10 years of service like holding down per person operating costs ensuring that every dollar is carefully spent and goes directly to enhancing our community rather than servicing debt," she said She said she will also focus on diversifying the village's property tax base "As new businesses become part of our community I will also advocate for our policy of using 50% of any new non-residential tax revenue for property tax reduction," she said "This strategy reduces the village of Grayslake tax rate and helps reduce the overall burden on both residents and businesses while ensuring we continue to deliver the quality services our community values." Davies touts her years of experience working as a trustee in Grayslake as an advantage she has over Loffredo will include promoting the village center "as a vibrant hub of entertainment and recreation" and supporting Grayslake businesses and recruiting more to come town She said she hopes to continue to champion open spaces and environmental accomplishments for Grayslake which has become a leader in "environmental stewardship." Patch.com reached out to both Davies and Loffredo sharing a questionnaire with them to get their input on what their priorities would be if either is elected as mayor Loffredo has not yet gotten back to Patch.com We will post his candidate survey if he does in the coming weeks and update this article to include his stance on issues and his priorities You can check out Davies' full candidate questionnaire here. Information on voting in Libertyville, and the April 1 local election, can be found here. Grayslake Central senior righthander Nolan Rand received some vital family support in Tuesday’s Northern Lake County Conference baseball opener with visiting Grayslake North made sure his older brother’s first and last varsity start was a success for the Rams (7-1 1-0) as they parlayed 6 North errors into a 5-4 walk-off victory Rocco’s support will be even more vital in the coming days Nolan is undergoing surgery Wednesday for a concave (sunken) chest that he said started bothering him just before the season started “It was pretty cool,” Nolan said of Rocco’s perfect 2⅔ innings “It was sad to see him come out,” Rocco said after Nolan settled down from a shaky start but then I wanted to go out and finish the game and get the win.” North (1-7) jumped on Nolan for a 4-0 lead in the second but he settled down and finished with 4 strikeouts and no walks while throwing 68 of his 89 pitches for strikes “I didn’t know if I wanted to play baseball or get the surgery … but I just wanted to be a part of it,” Nolan said “I knew what I was doing wrong and I made the adjustment I slowed down my pace and was striding longer.” The first of Rocco’s 3 strikeouts helped strand the go-ahead run at third in the fifth “Nolan is a super-good kid and I told him we’ll throw you until your arm falls off because you’ll be medicated tomorrow anyway,” said a smiling Central coach Troy Whalen “He settled in after the first inning and made some good pitches and it was special for his younger brother to come in behind him.” Mitchell Hughes doubled and homered and Owen Pischke (2-for-3) had a 2-run single for the Knights JD Novacek’s RBI single capped a 3-run first and Sean McMahon and Andrew Winling had 2 hits as they out-hit the Rams 10-3 “If we deliver 7 clean innings we can compete with anybody,” said North coach Eric Lopez “I told the guys the first half-inning was the most fun I’ve had the entire season It was nice to see some of their hard work pay off.” Central tied it in a 3-run third without a hit and diving grabs in right by Sam Nerini and center by Bryce Carlson kept it even in the fourth The Rams won it in the seventh on 2 errors an intentional walk and an off-line throw home on Soren Hansen’s grounder to third “I told the kids afterward we’ll never apologize for a ‘W,’” Whalen said Especially on a day where it meant so much to the Rand brothers Drew Wiegman never took a formal music lesson That hasn’t stopped more than three-quarters of a million people from following his soulful performances on TikTok — drawn to his message of positivity over perfection The 24-year-old Grayslake native performed this weekend at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County in Grayslake Wiegman began playing cello by ear in fourth grade A standout on Carmel Catholic High School’s team he earned a scholarship to play at the University of Louisville The physical and emotional demands of Division I sports He struggled to find direction — until music came back into the picture The journey started with a push from his younger brother “He challenged me to post a video on TikTok of me playing cello,” Wiegman said “I immediately got 16 likes and six followers The brothers could never have predicted Wiegman’s explosive growth on social media in just four years Only about half a percent of TikTok influencers worldwide have between 500,000 and 1 million followers an online platform for global market and consumer data That milestone unlocked the platform’s permission to livestream He played his cello and connected with his audience in real time — an experience he’ll never forget and one that catapulted his rise on the platform “I really didn’t know what I was doing,” he said Thank you!’ That was a powerful moment when I realized I could provide something positive for people.” Based on the number of followers and the steady stream of positive comments from all over the world Wiegman is convinced his music touches the hearts and souls of his audience “I’ve been told so many times that my music is healing,” he said “People relate to it on a deep emotional level It resonates with them and validates their experiences.” I get comments that are terrible,” he said “Some people in the classical music world can be toxic I can get 500 positive comments on a piece and then somebody will slam me for not holding the bow correctly.” His repertoire includes popular movie scores “I know that might seem crazy to some people.” Incorporating emotionally charged video and still images enhances his playing and taps into his viewers’ deepest emotions He says comments like this fuel his drive to produce more content You calm me down between all my home care patients,” a follower posted This weekend’s performance was only his second live show You can listen to Wiegman’s music on his website or on Apple, Amazon, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok Grayslake Central senior Madison Hoffmann liked her odds as she stepped to the free-throw line with one second left in overtime in an even game with Cary-Grove The Green Bay-bound Hoffmann had three tries to break a tie after a controversial foul call on a 3-point try with a Class 3A girls basketball sectional title at stake Thursday night at North Chicago Hoffmann missed the first free throw but made the next two She then intercepted the inbound pass at midcourt and flung the ball toward the ceiling to start the celebration of a dramatic 33-31 victory for the top-seeded Rams (28-5) “I’ll take it,” Hoffmann said after scoring 14 of her game-high 15 points after halftime “I had to drown out all the noise and take a second Hoffmann’s sophomore sister Peyton added 9 points as the Rams claimed their fifth sectional title and a trip to Monday’s 5:30 p.m Hersey supersectional against Montini (24-10) Montini beat Central 44-25 in last year’s supersectional “This was a bizarre one,” said Central coach Steve Ikenn “It truly was two really good teams who gave everything they had and kudos to Cary They’re a great team and Tony (coach Moretti) does a great job.” 2 Cary (25-8) battled back for two 6-point fourth-quarter leads It was 31-26 with 4:28 left in regulation behind Samantha Skerl (12 points “It’s a tough way for it to end like that but we fought really hard all game,” Mjaanes said “I’m really proud of everyone and the way we fought back.” Peyton Hoffmann’s 3 at 3:39 and Madison Hoffmann’s 15-footer at 0:43 tied it at 31-31 and Cary missed a shot in the lane at 0:05 missed a shot that Katelyn Marcelain rebounded and then hung on to the ball against Cary’s 2-3 zone Central missed 2 free throws at 0:06 but Annie Wolff rebounded and was fouled with 3.5 seconds left Madison Hoffmann tried to throw a baseline inbound pass off a defender’s back but missed Wolff got it back to Hoffmann for what appeared to be a desperation 3 at the buzzer and what Cary thought was another four minutes After the foul call the officials put a second back on the clock for Hoffmann’s free throws “This is something I’ll never get over as a coach,” Moretti said “These kids worked hard all season and to have it end like that is tough they made shots when they needed to at the end.” Including the most pressurized ones Hoffmann ever took “Everyone did their part tonight,” Hoffmann said A 30-year-old Grayslake man wanted for fleeing from police earlier in the week was arrested by Wauconda officers Wednesday who spotted him inside an Uber Wauconda police officials said Jamal Bajwa escaped arrest Sunday after leading officers on a high-speed chase where they said he attempted to ram police vehicles and ran multiple red lights officers spotted Bajwa arriving in an Uber vehicle on the 100 block of Roosevelt Avenue Officers conducted a traffic stop and Bajwa surrendered without incident Police said he was in possession of a suspected crack pipe and switchblade he was prohibited from possessing the weapon Bajwa confessed to being the driver in the Sunday pursuit along with fleeing his active warrants Bajwa remains in custody for aggravated assault to a peace officer unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated fleeing and eluding 2025 at 8:28 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The local spring election will be held on April 1 IL — There are two candidates vying for the open mayoral seat in Grayslake this spring The local spring election will be held on April 1. More information on voting and registering to vote can be found here Patch.com will be publishing candidate questionnaires leading up to the election for candidates who respond Below is the candidate questionnaire for Elizabeth Davies a candidate for the Grayslake mayoral race: Campaign Website: www.bethforgrayslake.com Does anyone in your family work in politics or government This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for: No Education: Bachelor's - Secondary Education - Mathematics Please include years of experience: High School Math Teacher 10 years Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Grayslake Village Trustee - 10 years Alternate Representative CLCJAWA and SWALCO - 4 years While the village has actively worked to keep the village portion of our property taxes low the most pressing issue facing our district is undoubtedly our tax burden It is the task of every board to maintain the high level of services our residents rely on and deserve while working to minimize the burden on our taxpayers I remain committed to the proven fiscal policies that have made Grayslake successful during my 10 years of service ensuring that every dollar is carefully spent and goes directly to enhancing our community rather than servicing debt To further alleviate the financial pressures on our residents I will work to diversify our property tax base As new businesses become part of our community I will also advocate for our policy of using 50% of any new non-residential tax revenue for property tax reduction This strategy reduces the Village of Grayslake tax rate and helps reduce the overall burden on both residents and businesses while ensuring we continue to deliver the quality services our community values The critical difference between my opponent and myself is the depth of my community and government experience serving Grayslake I have essential knowledge of our municipal budgets I have been deeply involved as a community volunteer I understand both the details that keep our community thriving and the core pieces that make Grayslake such a special place My background as a high school math teacher has equipped me with an analytical mind which has played a crucial role in my understanding of our village's strong and intricate financial systems Beyond the financial and governmental aspects I am deeply connected to our community through my passion for promoting local events and nurturing the vitality of our small town I know what makes our town special and am committed to building on our success My combination of hands-on municipal experience and community-first mindset positions me to begin building on Grayslake’s success from Day 1 The issues that define my campaign are guided by a deep love for and understanding of our town I am passionate about promoting our Village Center as a vibrant hub of entertainment These pieces are essential to the heart of our community I will work hard to keep Grayslake’s downtown one of the BEST Supporting our business community is another top priority A thriving business community is integral to our residents and property value and I will work to ensure that local businesses continue to get the support they need to flourish I am also committed to a robust recruitment program to bring more business to our town Grayslake has long been a leader when it comes to environmental stewardship Continuing to champion open spaces and build on our environmental accomplishments will ensure a higher quality of life for all our families Fiscal responsibility has been key to Grayslake’s success and smart economic development have already helped provide the opportunity for reducing the tax burden on our residents I will continue this sensible approach which means MORE for our community My platform reflects my unwavering dedication to preserving what makes Grayslake special and building on our strengths I have worked as part of a dedicated team to accomplish many wonderful things for Grayslake I have shown the knowledge that Grayslake’s success has always been about finding the right balance—between progress and preservation infrastructure and quality of life improvements Every choice we make requires carefully balancing the needs of our community I’ve worked to ensure we invest wisely by strengthening infrastructure while also enhancing the amenities that improve everyday life I have been a part of the good stewardship and forward-thinking leadership that has helped Grayslake grow while protecting its history and small town feel Some of the key accomplishments that reflect this approach: - Built a new water tower to secure our future while protecting the historic downtown tower - Strengthened the water system with backup wells and generators for long-term reliability and buried power lines—modernizing while maintaining small-town charm - Expanded development and infrastructure in the Central Range area while maintaining a zero-debt status - Diversified the tax base to keep the community financially strong while taking less than allowed by the tax cap - Supported local businesses through the pandemic while attracting new investment to Grayslake - Transformed the former Gelatin Factory site into Gelatin Park—preserving the historic smokestack while reclaiming the space for the community and expanded community events to bring people together and offered a wide variety of resident sustainability programs Being part of these efforts and many more has been an honor or making Grayslake an even better place to call home I’ve worked to make sure we take a thoughtful Progress has never come at the expense of our identity and I remain committed to keeping our village strong and I believe I have shown my commitment to Grayslake by listening I have made it a priority to be accessible I am always available to discuss the issues that matter most to our residents or catching up on the sidelines of a sports field I work to be accessible in everyday moments I believe that true representation happens not just in official meetings but in real everyday interactions with the people I serve I understand that I may not always be able to please every resident and conduct the necessary research to make informed My goal is to represent each and every person in our village with integrity and a deep commitment to the well-being of our community My decisions are always guided by what will best serve the people of Grayslake and I will continue working tirelessly to earn and maintain that trust every day Grayslake is a special community that is deeply connected to one another We have a small-town character that makes this a great place to live What makes Grayslake unique is our ability to grow and evolve while preserving the qualities that make this community feel like home we must build on our strengths while protecting what makes us special That means maintaining our financial responsibility ensuring the Village remains fiscally sound and preserving our zero-debt status in order to maximize the impact of the dollars we spend It means continuing to invest in infrastructure and fostering responsible development in the Central Range area A successful term would also see us growing our environmental initiatives and continuing beautification efforts that enhance our town’s charm and our property values It would mean strengthening the connections that make Grayslake feel like home through enhanced community events and increased opportunities for residents to engage with one another my goal is to ensure that Grayslake continues to be a place where people feel proud to live where families want to stay for generations and where every resident feels heard and valued people see tangible improvements in our community while knowing their tax dollars have been used responsibly Fiscal responsibility is one of the most important duties of any elected official Every tax dollar we receive is precious and must be stewarded with the utmost care These funds are entrusted to us to accomplish the priorities of the Village and it is our responsibility to ensure they are respected and used efficiently we must always look for opportunities to limit what residents pay while exercising extreme diligence in how we manage public funds Grayslake has been a model of smart fiscal management through innovation and careful oversight of operating expenses The Village’s per resident operating costs have risen about 40% less than the rate of inflation since 1992 and we have consistently passed balanced budgets while maintaining a debt-free status We take a proactive approach to financial planning creating forecasts and plans that allow us to sustain service delivery even during economic downturns Our success is built on a commitment to responsible financial stewardship by keeping expenses in check while ensuring high-quality services for our residents invested in necessary infrastructure improvements and supported businesses without placing unnecessary financial burdens on taxpayers Smart fiscal management is not just about balancing budgets—it’s about making thoughtful strategic decisions that strengthen our community both now and in the future I will continue to uphold these principles ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely and that Grayslake remains the wonderful place we call home Grayslake is a community that prides itself on safety and a strong sense of security among its residents the village's violent crime rate and overall crime rate stand significantly lower than the national median we can always strive to reduce crime and make our community safer The department's dedication to excellence is further demonstrated by its accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) a distinction achieved by only about 5% of police organizations nationwide This accreditation reflects adherence to 459 rigorous standards ensuring that the department operates with the highest level of professionalism and effectiveness the Grayslake Police Department actively collaborates with neighboring communities and local agencies Through associations with several Lake County inter-agency units including -- the Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (MEG) and the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) -- the department leverages additional resources and expertise to address complex incidents and ensure comprehensive community protection The Department also engages in community outreach initiatives to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and residents Programs like "Shop with a Cop" provide holiday shopping experiences for children in need fostering positive relationships and community trust To further engage with citizens and better connect with those they serve the department has introduced enhanced communication initiatives that work to keep the community informed Strengthening partnerships between law enforcement we can identify and address potential issues before they escalate and open dialogue will further solidify the trust and cooperation that are vital to keeping Grayslake a safe and welcoming place for all A key priority is ensuring that new development aligns with our village’s long-term vision well-planned growth that enhances our community’s charm and livability While we must recruit business to help diversify the tax base we also must continue to support our existing downtown and small business community as they are at the heart of what makes Grayslake special attracting businesses that complement our local economy and fostering a thriving environment for entrepreneurs we can strengthen our economic foundation without compromising our character Grayslake has successfully demonstrated that development does not have to come at the expense of character and prioritizing projects that align with our long-term goals we can continue to grow while preserving the small-town feel that makes Grayslake special we are constantly striving to create a stronger community Through collaboration and meaningful engagement we have shaped the Grayslake Comprehensive Plan 2025 a forward-thinking blueprint for sustainable growth and opportunity This plan highlights key areas of development where significant strategic growth will help diversify our property tax base strengthening our long-term financial health It envisions a thriving Hometown Grayslake that preserves our small-town charm while welcoming new businesses and experiences It deepens our commitment to environmental stewardship ensuring that Grayslake remains a place of natural beauty and outdoor recreation we explore ways to introduce housing and amenities that support residents at every stage of life allowing them to grow and stay in the village they love 1) Have the Vision – Envision the future we want for Grayslake 3) Implement – Take action with purpose and precision adapting and innovating as we move forward Good Leadership is not about having the best ideas – It’s about creating a space where the best ideas can be shared I want voters to know that I love this town and I think about our village and its future constantly or spending time with my family at the pool I’m always reflecting on how we can continue to strengthen and enhance our community I am passionate about Grayslake and its people I truly believe it is the best place to live and thoughtful planning have made this a special place and I am committed to building upon our success while protecting what makes Grayslake unique I take my role as a trustee seriously and work every day to ensure that we are making responsible forward-thinking decisions that benefit all residents From maintaining our financial stability to fostering smart development and enhancing our quality of life my focus is always on keeping Grayslake a place we can all be proud to call home to work with all the wonderful residents of Grayslake to continue building a community we all love The weight was worth it for Izzy Ceaser and her Grayslake North teammates The Knights all-state candidate scored twice and led a strong second half attack to helps the visitors defeat crosstown rival Grayslake Central 3-1 Thursday night at William Eiserman Stadium so this win feels amazing right now,” said Ceaser This NLCC opener would feature two the best players in the area in Ceaser and her counterpart both of them the undeniable leaders of their clubs “It’s obviously frustrating to lose tonight here at home We are in a little bit of a bad stretch right now but we are also without five starters,” said Rodriguez After a first half of play that rarely showed much purpose or possession from both sides Ceaser unloaded a 20-yard blast into the back of the net at 46 minutes before Ava Aleckson doubled the advantage 10 minutes later with a superb touch into the far inside netting Ceaser claimed her 14th of the season in the 75th minute with a low drive that was deflected past Rams (2-7-0 O-0-1) keeper Karlee Santner who turned in a wonderful performance all night Samantha Guerrier would pull one back four minutes from time off a marvelous cross from Rodriguez “Maybe we let a case of the nerves get to us in the first half but I think you saw what we could do in the second half in order to get this win here tonight,” said Knights coach Adam DeCaluwe North will travel to 2A power Deerfield on Saturday while the Rams host Buffalo Grove on Saturday morning “It was a much better effort in the second half We just now have to get healthy,” said Rams coach Keith Andersson IL — Grayslake Park District will host its Easter Egg hunt on Saturday Age groups are as follows: 1 to 2 year old children with parent 7 to 8 year old children and 9 to 10 year old children The egg hunt will be held on the aquatic football/soccer field in Central Park The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for non-residents Grayslake Central junior guard Mosey Drevline scored 1 point in a girls basketball playoff game Thursday night 5-foot-6 Ram excelled in pretty much every other phase of the game as host Grayslake Central defeated Antioch 56-36 in a Class 3A regional final “I don't care how many points Mosey scores in a game,” Rams coach Steve Ikenn said after guiding Grayslake Central (26-5) to the program's third regional championship in six seasons “She does so many other things well for us He could have gone on and on and on about the little things that make huge differences in hoops games “Just trying to make an impact without scoring,” said a shrugging and smiling Drevline who netted her lone point at 1:05 of the third quarter upping the Rams' lead to 39-29 against dauntless Antioch (14-13) which had lost twice to Grayslake Central in the regular season “What I'll remember most about this game was how hard we played how all of us hit the floor hard for loose balls Bruises and floor burns should count for something Floor burns are louder and they hurt more.” What soothed the home crowd midway through the third quarter: Drevline secured a steal under the Rams' basket and quickly fired the assist on easy layup at the other end of the floor senior Madison Hoffman and junior Annie Wolff took care of matters offensively for the victors Madison Hoffman grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for the top-seeded and reigning Northern Lake County Conference champion Rams who will face the winner of Friday night's Saint Viator regional final between the host school and Vernon Hills in a North Chicago sectional semifinal at 6 p.m Eighth-seeded Antioch stood tall against the taller Rams --- ranked 12th in the Daily Herald's Top 20 --- for nearly three quarters Thursday night trailing 28-20 at the break and only 34-29 at the 2:40 mark of the third quarter junior guard-forward Heidi Rathmann had committed her fourth foul 22 seconds before sophomore guard-forward Scarlett Carroll narrowed the lead to 5 on a bucket “Heidi Rathmann is a force on a tough team that didn't back down,” Ikenn said “It seemed every time we enjoyed a fairly big lead Sequoits coach Jamie D'Andrea had urged her club to embrace its underdog status and shoot to reduce the sectional seeds to meaningless numbers proud of the way they competed,” D'Andrea said “A lot of people thought Grayslake Central would win easily tonight outscored Antioch 15-5 in the final eight minutes Peyton Hoffman and Madison Hoffman had opened the scoring in the quarter with back-back buckets spanning 40 seconds Ikenn also lauded the effort turned in by Rams senior forward Katelyn Marcelain “I'll take those numbers and the way she battled IL — The Federal Bureau of Investigation tipped local police off to a social media threat made regarding Grayslake North High School the Grayslake Police Department learned a current Grayslake North High School student had posted a threat "to shoot up the school" on social media Local police worked with officials at Grayslake North High School to find the student The juvenile was located and referred to juvenile court on disorderly conduct charges They were released to a parent after a safety assessment was completed Grayslake Community High School District 127 officials said there was no disruption to the school day "There was no disruption to the school day and at no time were students or community members in any danger," according to information posted on the District 127 Facebook page Authorities say a 30-year-old man died after he suffered critical injuries following a head-on crash that shut down Route 83 in Grayslake Monday morning The Grayslake Police Department and Grayslake Fire Protection District responded around 8:33 a.m for a report of a three-vehicle crash with injuries Grayslake Police Chief Jeff Myhra said officers arrived to find two of the three vehicles with heavy damage following an apparent head-on crash An investigation showed a white Chevrolet Malibu was traveling southbound on Route 83 south of Center Street The Chevrolet appeared to have rear-ended a gray Toyota the Chevrolet struck a black Lexus head-on as the Lexus Myhra said the driver of the Chevrolet suffered significant injuries He was unconscious and not breathing at the scene Paramedics transported him to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where he was later pronounced dead An autopsy is being scheduled by the Lake County Coroner’s Office on the victim whose identity is being temporarily withheld The driver of the Lexus was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center with a lower-body injury The driver of the Toyota was evaluated at the scene and released He has been cooperating with the investigation Myhra said the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) is assisting the Grayslake Police Department with conducting the crash investigation Route 83 between Center Street and Route 120 was shut down for approximately four hours and reopened around 12:30 p.m 2025 at 1:58 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Sandra J of the 100 block of Glen Street in Grayslake is charged with two counts of aggravated battery (kissing) solicitation to meet a child and child endangerment for allowing a child to operate a vehicle (Lake County Sheriff's Office )LAKE COUNTY IL — A 38-year-old Grayslake woman who worked as a paraprofessional for Cyd Lash Academy is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old boy and spending time with him after school hours police are investigating whether Pardo has had any other inappropriate relationships with minors deputy chief with the Lake County Sheriff's Office Authorities first launched an investigation into Pardo after learning that a boy was driving a car by himself on a public road according to news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office a voice that someone recognized as Pardo's voice could be heard coming from the passenger area of the vehicle An investigation into her relationship with the boy reveled she spent time with him after school hours and last week Detectives also learned Pardo kissed the boy in school in the past month “Children have the absolute right to be safe in the school environment and outside of school The behavior of this paraprofessional is unconscionable and despicable," said Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg "There is no doubt this behavior is condemned by the thousands of hard-working teachers and school staff from across the county Our staff will continue our zero-tolerance policy for adults who victimize our most vulnerable.” Police could not comment on who shared the video where it was shared or who recognized Pardo's voice But they did say Pardo's cell phone was seized by authorities on Wednesday and police are working to review the content of the phone Jose Mendoza-Gonzalez has been released from custody following his initial court appearance in Lake County on Saturday morning, the Lake & McHenry Scanner is reporting. All charges filed against him are Class 4 felonies, but are not considered detainable offenses under the Illinois’ SAFE-T Act Police found the partially decomposed body of Megan Bos who was first reported missing in February in a garbage can in the rear of Mendoza-Gonzalez's residence Police responded to the home north of Grand Avenue on Yeoman Street while following up on a lead in the Bos case according to the Lake & McHenry Scanner They learned Mendoza-Gonzalez was the last person to talk with Bos, who he told authorities was in the basement of his home on Feb. 19. Patch.com reached out to Antioch police for more information the village of Antioch put out a release asking for the public's help to search for Bos who they said was last spoke to family members on Feb 17 and was reported missing to the Antioch Police Department that week Antioch Police detectives said they had pursued multiple leads and were coordinating with several law enforcement agencies in northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin is among the nation's greatest water parks Great Wolf's indoor water park resorts are notable because of "their scale and the number of locations," according to U.S "Regardless of location, expect to splash around lazy rivers, wave pools and waterslides in winter-friendly pools heated to 80-plus degrees," according to U.S. News & World Report "There are also usually some activities on dry land News noted that water parks have evolved to pack in more thrills and are more diverse than they were just a few decades ago The best of them offer something for everyone water coasters or giant wave pools and surf simulators Some of the water parks on the list offer lodging for people who want to extend the fun beyond a day of wild and wet fun Some water parks may be open seasonally from May to September although Great Wolf Lodge indoor water parks are open year-round Other attractions on The 24 Best Water Parks in the U.S. for 2025 are: 2025 at 9:34 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Carranza who was driving in a vehicle that did not have its headlights on at about 2 a..m is accused of not stoping when a sheriff's office deputy tried to pull him over in the area of Washington Street and Lancer Lane in Grayslake IL — Two are in custody following a high-speed police chase in Grayslake that ended with a man and woman resisting police both faces charges in connection with the early Saturday incident in Grayslake according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office is accused of not stoping when a sheriff's office deputy tried to pull him over in the area of Washington Street and Lancer Lane in Grayslake reaching speeds of 80 mph in a 45 mph zone The deputy caught up to the vehicle when it pulled into a driveway in the 1100 block of Cambridge Drive n Graylsake He got out of his car and refused to listen to deputy's instructions Police told him he was under arrest and when deputies tried to take him into custody got out of the vehicle and began to interfere with the arrest Deputies were able to subdue Lara and arrested her Lara has been charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer obstructing a peace officer and open transportation of alcohol Carranza has been charged with resisting arrest aggravated speeding and multiple traffic violations Carranza was processed at the jail and released on pre-trial release Lara remains held at the jail as she awaits her first court appearance A woman was transported to the hospital after a pickup truck crashed into a pole and drove into a bar’s beer garden in downtown Grayslake The Grayslake Fire Protection District and Grayslake-Hainesville Police Department responded around 8:06 a.m for a report of a vehicle that crashed into a building Grayslake-Hainesville Police Department Chief Jeff Myhra said a Toyota Tundra pickup truck was traveling northbound on Seymour Avenue suffered what appeared to be a medical episode while driving The Toyota struck a light pole on the northwest corner of Seymour Avenue and Center Street The Toyota then traveled back southbound across Center Street and struck the beer garden at Charlie’s bar Myhra said the woman was conscious but resisting the paramedics at the scene She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her medical condition but did not suffer any injuries from the crash itself A child was also in the Toyota at the time A wall between the sidewalk and the bar’s beer garden was damaged but the bar itself did not appear to sustain serious damage 2025 at 2:33 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}We are looking to readers to share their go-to spots near Grayslake for a romantic night out with their special someone in our survey below IL — With Valentine's Day right around the corner popular restaurants that have a great ambiance and delicious dishes and drinks will be booking up for the holiday We are looking to readers to share their go-to spots near Grayslake for a romantic night out with their special someone in our survey below The top spots will be featured on Patch in the coming weeks where readers can vote for the best of the best when it comes to Chicago-area romantic restaurants IL — The snowfall is here and is expected to continue throughout the afternoon and evening across Lake County and the Chicago area businesses and more that have announced closures for Wednesday in the Grayslake area: For a full list of updated closures, check the Emergency Closing Center website. heavier snow began to "overspread" the Chicago area from the west and southwest accumulating snow will expand into the Chicago metro area and will be heavy at times sometimes at a rate of more than an inch per hour and the heaviest snow is predicted to hit between 10 a.m Lake County could get between four to six inches of total snowfall Wind gust of between 20 to 25 mph are also in the forecast Hazardous travel conditions are expected during the Wednesday evening commute A winter weather advisory is in effect until 3 a.m Thursday for Lake County and throughout the Chicago area you may want to keep an eye on these websites for updated information on closures Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 10:33 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Fire crews who first arrived at the scene found an electrical panel on fire and a smoke-filled building IL — An industrial building was evacuated after a fire broke out Friday morning in Grayslake The Grayslake Fire District was called to the building in the 300 block of North Barron Boulevard at about 7:30 a.m. Fire crews who first arrived at the scene found an electrical panel on fire and a smoke-filled building Fire crews disconnected the power to the building and extinguished the blaze The business was evacuated before the fire department's arrival The cause of the fire is currently under investigation Previous offices held: Grayslake Village Trustee since 2014 Is there a particular issue that motivates you what makes you the best candidate for the position Grayslake is more than just a place to live — it’s a true community This village has given so much to my family and I am eager to continue to give back in a meaningful way Serving on the village board for 10 years has been an honor and I want to continue building on our strengths to ensure a thriving town for all What drives me most is improving our quality of life That means maintaining fiscal responsibility From walking trails and green spaces to vibrant events and holiday lights I believe in the small details that make a big difference I will work tirelessly to protect what makes our village special while driving us toward an even stronger future What is the most serious issue your community will face in coming years and how should leaders respond to it good leadership isn’t just about strategic planning Grayslake has spent years analyzing potential challenges and proactively addressing them Through thoughtful planning and sound financial management we’ve built a resilient community ready to withstand future uncertainties The biggest issue we’ll face is likely one we don’t yet know our 15-year financial plan ensures we anticipate and manage risks rather than react in crisis mode By maintaining a debt-free status and budgeting only 85% of unpredictable revenue we have the flexibility and resources to meet challenges head-on Grayslake prioritizes infrastructure resilience We’ve invested in backup wells and generators I’ve been deeply involved in these initiatives and commitment to preparedness will ensure Grayslake remains safe How would you describe the state of your community's finances What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed and that’s not just because I’m a math teacher Our village is one of the most financially sound in the state I have helped pass 10 balanced budgets and maintain our debt-free status This has allowed us to invest in both critical infrastructure and community enhancements that make Grayslake special and public safety while also improving parks but so are the projects that strengthen our sense of community ensuring we invest in both the essentials and the extras that make Grayslake special good financial management is not just about numbers — it’s about strengthening our community and making Grayslake an even better place to call home What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address what project(s) can be put on the back burner we don’t put imperative projects on the back burner we use a multiyear capital project plan to manage larger infrastructure investments that may take years to complete or require additional funding beyond our yearly budget Our pay-as-you-go approach and debt-free status ensure more dollars reach our community for these important projects This strategy keeps us financially sound while steadily improving Grayslake Infrastructure and quality of life go hand in hand and our long-term planning ensures we can accomplish our community goals despite outside forces The most important infrastructure project outside of village control that should be addressed is the Route 120 traffic corridor including the 83 and 120 railroad crossing These state-run roads create congestion and delays that impact Grayslake daily impactful solutions through our 120 Belvidere Road Corridor Plan ensuring they qualify for state and federal funding Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board My leadership style is characterized by research always seeking to learn more so I can make informed decisions a deep understanding leads to the best solutions I believe the best ideas emerge in a collaborative environment True leadership is not about having the best ideas but creating a space where the best ideas can be shared That applies not just to the village board but great communities never stop improving we can push Grayslake forward in meaningful ways while honoring what makes it special What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet One way to better Grayslake is by continuing our success in enhancing natural spaces We have seen the positive impact of Gelatin Park This project can ensure its drainage capacity while adding walking trails we create spaces that connect people to nature Thoughtful enhancements to our natural areas make Grayslake more resilient These types of improvements strengthen our town’s identity and quality of life Focusing on Mill Creek would be a chance to blend environmental responsibility with our continued tradition of making smart IL — Two firefighters were injured in a blaze in Round Lake Monday night The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded to the house fire in the 600 block of Nippersink Road at about 7:15 p.m Monday and found heavy flames coming from the back and the sides of the single-family home according to a news release from the fire protection district Reports suggest the fire started on the deck of the house before spreading up the back wall and into the home Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control within 30 minutes The cause of the fire remains under investigation Grayslake Central senior girls basketball standout Madison Hoffmann started a new project: learning how to solve the now 50-plus-year-old Rubik’s Cube — the plastic cube puzzle covered in multicolored squares where a subject attempts to twist and turn it so all the squares on each face are the same color it takes Hoffmann about 30-40 seconds to solve the cube a time that may have scratch odds of being the best if she went up against 100 random people on the streets of Grayslake Hoffmann isn’t too shabby at basketball either don’t tell anybody) forward-guard saved her best work for her last year at Central Her play and leadership helped the Rams reach a Class 3A supersectional for the second year in a row and third time since 2020 headed to Division I University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to further her academic and basketball careers is the easy choice as the captain of the 2025 Lake County Daily Herald All-Area girls basketball team all-around game,” said Wauconda coach Jaime Dennis whose 24-4 team lost to Hoffman and Central twice this season three-sport varsity athlete at Central (tennis 4.8 assists and 2.7 steals on a Rams team that went 28-6 and won the Northern Lake County Conference title for a third year in a row (14-0 in league play for a second year in a row and 41-1 during that span) earning Hoffmann repeat NLCC player of the year honors (she’s a 4-time all-NLCC pick) The last 3 teams Hoffmann was a part of at Central went 74-25 — 55-13 the last 2 seasons “Madison is that rare athlete who can be both an elite scorer and also an elite facilitator,” Grayslake Central coach Steve Ikenn said “She is so unselfish and relishes a good assist as much as making a great shot It shows in her career stats as very few players wind up in the Top 3 in scoring rebounding and blocks while also being the all-time leader in assists and second all-time in steals She has worked hard to improve her game each year and it shows.” a state qualifier in girls tennis as a junior and a center-mid/center-back on the Rams’ soccer team ends her Central run third all-time in scoring in school history at 1,732 points trailing only Kayla Ming (1,963) and Jenny Wessel (1,765) Her 837 rebounds rank only behind Kate Bullman (984) and Morgan Dahlstrom (982) Her 403 career assists rank first all-time and she also has school marks for most assists in a game and a season Her 335 steals are second only behind Bullman’s 363 “To watch her grow from a talented young player into the great all-around player and leader has been amazing,” Ikenn said “Whether we need her to score inside or outside she rises to the occasion and does whatever the team needs her to do.” Dennis said two things stand out in her mind in terms of Hoffmann creating chaos for opponents “Her passing ability allows her to accurately hit her teammates for an open look from anywhere on the floor,” she explained which makes it difficult to match up against her.” Round Lake coach Molly Hennig provided basically the same synopsis on Hoffmann “Madison is a versatile player with multiple skills that makes her difficult to defend,” she said “She can score in both half-court sets and transition while also displaying strong court vision and the ability to distribute the ball to Grayslake Central’s other playmakers.” Central junior point guard Mosey Drevline marveled at both Hoffmann’s ability to score in pressure situations and more importantly to lead when the heat was turned up “She always stays calm in those situations,” Drevline said “She was a big leader whether we were winning or losing,” Peyton Hoffmann said “She can always get the team gathered and back together so we’re not scared or unsure I definitely look up to her knowing she is always there for me.” a high-honor roll student who has business and law on her mind as possible fields of study at the next level remembers way back when she was a ninth-grader on the varsity at Central “I played with 9 seniors that year,” said Hoffmann who if she earns all-NLCC honors in soccer this spring will end her high school career with a combined 11 all-NLCC awards in her three sports (missed this tennis season due to injury) and since sophomore year we’ve been building.” And while being able to play college basketball is a dream come true not wearing a Rams uniform next November will take some getting used to “I have been around the same group of girls for three or four years now I’ve known coach Ikenn practically my whole life To be able to wear Central across the front of your jersey means a lot Hoffmann hopes she’s remembered as Central more for how she interacted with her teammates than the tornadic numbers she posted on a nightly basis “I would say I want to be remembered as someone who always put the team first who has played with Hoffmann since fourth grade “She’s the most unselfish player I have ever encountered,” she said We’re so happy to have had her as our teammate because we definitely didn’t want to play against her The coroner has released the identity of a 30-year-old man and father who died following a head-on crash on Route 83 in Grayslake Monday as his family says they are “beyond heartbroken.” An autopsy performed on Tuesday showed Joseph Roon died as a result of blunt force injuries from a vehicle crash according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek An investigation showed a white 2017 Chevrolet Malibu The Chevrolet appeared to have rear-ended a blue 2020 Toyota Corolla the Chevrolet traveled east and struck a black 2019 Lexus UX head-on as the Lexus Myhra said Roon suffered significant injuries Paramedics transported Roon to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where he was later pronounced dead in the emergency room “… to say we are beyond heartbroken is an understatement,” Roon’s mother-in-law adding “The coming weeks and months will be difficult.” Roon was described as a “great husband A GoFundMe created to help raise money for unexpected expenses for the family has collected over $3,000 ExpandMontini players including Natalie Gartlan middle and Audrey Kinney celebrate their 51-45 victory over Grayslake Central during the Hersey Class 3A supersectional on Monday (Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald/Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald) Or so it seemed to many onlookers, when Montini secured a 26-8 lead over Grayslake Central in the second quarter of Monday night’s Class 3A Hersey Supersectional at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights. With Montini’s Missouri-bound point guard, senior Nikki Kerstein, on the bench with three fouls, GC’s undaunted Rams scored the final seven points of the first half, poured in the first nine points of the second half and trailed only 26-24 at 5:57 of the third quarter. “As soon as our first shot (senior Madison Hoffmann’s trey) went in after halftime, I sighed,” said GC coach Steve Ikenn. “We all did. But Montini — the reigning Class 3A third-place team — recovered and never wavered, not even after it fell behind 31-29 when Rams senior Annie Wolff (9 points) completed her 5-0 run (1 three-pointer, 1 field goal) spanning 47 seconds. Broncos coach Shannon Spanos’ resilient, senior-laden squad outscored GC 20-14 in the final frame, sinking 9 free throws, including 7 by Division-1-ready Kerstein (game-high 21 points), and survived 51-45 to advance to a state semifinal Thursday night. “A game of highs and lows tonight, right?” said Montini senior guard-forward Peyton Farrell, who grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. “We won because it was about all of us, our togetherness, the closeness we had developed. You play like that, you’re guaranteed a fun experience. “Coach Spanos,” she added, “has done such a great job building our program and establishing a healthy culture.” Montini's Lily Spanos, left, defends a shot by Grayslake Central's Mosey Drevline during the Hersey Class 3A supersectional on Monday, March 3, 2025 in Arlington Heights. (Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald/Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald) Montini (25-10) faces Taylorville Supersectional winner Quincy Notre Dame (32-3) at 8:15 p.m. Thursday at Illinois State University’s CEFCU Arena in Normal. It will mark Montini’s 12th state finals appearance in 18 years. “Our expectations are high each year because of our program’s great history,” Spanos said. “Tonight’s game came down to free throws and senior leadership.” And quite a bounce back after Grayslake Central’s electrifying third quarter. Madison Hoffmann (20 points) started it with a three-pointer 26 seconds in, followed by a 3 from senior forward Katelyn Marcelain, followed by another triple from Hoffmann. Grayslake Central (28-6) scored 15 of the quarter’s 21 points to make it a 31-all game after 24 yo-yo minutes. Montini regained control at the outset of the fourth quarter, getting a field goal from Kerstein, a trey from Natalie Gartlan (15 points) and a basket from Lily Spanos, prompting Ikenn to call a timeout at 3:33 with his club trailing 38-33. Farrell (6 points) then struck for a basket shortly after play resumed and — 8 seconds later — Gartlan’s final basket of the night upped Montini’s advantage to 42-33. But the Rams refused to wilt, narrowing the gap to 49-42 on yet another clutch 3 from Madison Hoffmann with 24 seconds left. “You can’t measure our players’ hearts, or our collective heart as a team,” said Ikenn, whose Rams had entered the supersectional on a 12-game winning streak. “If you could, it would be off the charts.” Kerstein hit 6 straight free throws in the final 49 seconds to seal the rematch of a 2024 supersectional, which Montini won 45-25. “A game of runs,” Kerstein said of Montini-Grayslake Central, the sequel. “(GC) kept hitting shots and we stayed positive. That three-pointer by Natalie (Gartlan) early in the fourth quarter … huge, so huge. It got us going. “Teamwork,” Gartlan said, “helped us win tonight more than anything else did.” Grayslake Central's Katelyn Marcelain goes to the baseket between Montini's Sophie Maquet, left, and Audrey Kinney during the Hersey Class 3A supersectional on Monday, March 3, 2025 in Arlington Heights. (Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald/Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald) Broncos senior guard-forward Audrey Kinney scored all 6 of her points in the first half. Marcelain and Hoffmann’s sister, sophomore Peyton Hoffmann, each scored 7 points for GC. https://www.dailyherald.com/20250303/girls-basketball/girls-basketball-montini-answers-grayslake-centrals-surge-wins-3a-hersey-supersectional/ Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network The Wauconda girls basketball team continues to make headlines on the court Coach Jaime Dennis’ squad is fresh off winning the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic hosted by McHenry in mid-December The Bulldogs upended Larkin 51-38 in the third round and edged Crystal Lake Central 49-45 for the title A Northern Lake County Conference win over Grant prior to Christmas pushed the Bulldogs to 11-1 overall (4-0 NLCC) and ran their winning streak to 8 games in a row Wauconda plays at league co-leader Grayslake Central on Friday Kelsy Piehl and Alexia Manalo were three key reasons among many as to why the Bulldogs left McHenry with first-place hardware Parker led the team in scoring there with 57 points over the 4 games while Piehl averaged 10 points a game and hit clutch foul shots at the end of the Crystal Lake Central title game to seal it 4.8 deflections and 4 steals a game at McHenry “Alexia played solid defense throughout the tournament,” Dennis said Dennis also pointed out Wauconda is excelling due to its prowess on the boards and in the assists column The Bulldogs average 15 offensive rebounds and 20 defensive rebounds per game “We focus on trying to control the boards in the game,” she said “The other big stat we talk about is assists,” Dennis explained “We are sharing the ball and playing as a team.” Grayslake Central update: Speaking of Central who went over the 1,500 career-point barrier during the St Viator Blenner Classic in Arlington Heights over the holidays Hoffmann was front and center in that tournament where Central went 3-1 and took third place The Wisconsin-Green Bay pledge averaged 12.5 points 3.8 assists and 2.8 steals on her way to an all-tournament nod “Madison and Peyton had great performances at the Blenner Classic,” said Central coach Steve Ikenn said whose team was off to a 12-4 start (4-0 in Northern Lake County action) The Rams held their four opponents at Viator to an average of 37.5 points per game Central recorded wins at Viator against Glenbard West (45-39) Vernon Hills (49-38) and the hosts (40-32) Antioch update: The Sequoits went 2-2 at the Lisle Cage Classic Heidi Rathmann earned all-tournament honors at Lisle after averaging 22.5 points per game 12-rebound effort in the opener against Timothy Christian 4 steals and 3 blocks in the third game against Lemont Rathmann is now averaging 15.7 points this season for Antioch (5-9 “Heidi had some nice scoring games in the tournament for us,” Antioch coach Jamie D’Andrea said “It’s nice to see her settling in for this back half of the season.” Enza Nawrocki had a season-high 14 points against Lemont and also registered 10 points against Timothy Christian at Lisle while Scarlett Carroll had a pair of double-doubles with 14 points and 11 rebounds against Addison Trail at Lisle and 12 points and 11 rebounds against Lemont Grant update: The Bulldogs played 4 games over the holidays at the Rockford Boylan tournament where Lily Capulong was highly notable She had 21 points there against Woodstock Marian Central and 13 points against Sycamore “Lily did a great job for us at the Christmas tournament,” Grant coach Andrea Weaver said Grant started 2024 with a 2-12 overall mark (1-3 in Northern Lake County action) Lakes update: The Eagles went 1-3 at the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic at McHenry and entered the new year 6-7 overall but a strong 3-1 in Northern Lake County action a game back of Wauconda and Grayslake Central to start the week holding the Knights to 6 points in the second half (none in the fourth quarter) Coach Grant Murray liked the way Kaylee Anderson Adey Martin and freshman Ryan Horvath played over the holidays Anderson led Lakes in scoring and rebounding “Adey Martin has picked up her scoring recently along with being one of the top defenders on the team,” Murray added “Ryan is a freshman and has been a top player off the bench by scoring fellow freshman Brynn Skinner has been another top contributor for the Eagles Murray also has been pleased with Lakes’ efforts on the glass (40-30 rebounding edge per game) Lake Zurich update: The Bears lost 51-39 to Loyola Academy in the title game at the Loyola Christmas tournament but played the Ramblers even at 33-33 the rest of the way Lake Zurich (10-6 overall) made it to the final after wins against Chicago DePaul College Prep Senior Molly Friesen was named to the all-tournament first team after posting 41 points 14 rebounds and 9 assists in the tournament Junior Layne Nordstrom was named to the second team after finishing the four-game set with 19 points Coach Chris Bennett added that Avery Cooper also was a difference-maker for the Bears on the North Shore “while dealing with a swarm of double-teams all game long,” he said Cooper earned a player-of-the-game honor against Hersey The Bears start the back half of the North Suburban slate with a 3-2 mark Libertyville update: The Wildcats ended 2024 on a high note by winning their own Rustoleum Winter Classic with a 4-0 record Libertyville downed Chicago Mother McAuley 51-41 to finish up the tournament and take the crown The Wildcats also downed 10-6 Cary-Grove in the tournament Lily Fisher and Madison Sears earned all-tournament honors for the Wildcats (13-4) who were riding an 8-game winning streak to start the year 8 rebounds and had 25 assists against only 11 turnovers at Rustoleum “Lily is playing the best basketball of her high school career as point guard and off-guard and she’s defending well on the other end,” Libertyville coach Greg Pedersen said “Madison is becoming more and more essential to our offense Libertyville also was off to a 5-0 start in North Suburban action who was the MVP in Libertyville’s recent win over Yorkville in the Grow the Game Showcase She had 16 points and shot 7-for-11 from the floor Round Lake update: The Panthers played in both the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic at McHenry and the Hiawatha Holiday Tournament in Kirkland Sophomore guard Brianna Arteaga was named Hiawatha all-tournament “Brianna is finding her rhythm at both ends of the floor,” Panthers coach Molly Hennig said 5 deflections and 3 steals during the month of December “Lisette is leading us as our point guard,” Hennig noted a first-team all-state selection for Round Lake in flag football “Layah is translating to basketball with her athleticism,” Hennig said and (she) has been a leader on the court for us.” Round Lake was 5-11 overall and 1-3 in Northern Lake County play to start the week Vernon Hills update: The Cougars finished seventh at St wrapping up play with a victory in that seventh-place game A win over Normal Community at the Grow the Game event at Elk Grove recently pushed the Cougars to 11-7 overall (also off to a nice 3-1 start in Central Suburban North happenings) Anahya Castro was named to the all-tournament team “Anahya has made steady improvement and it showed in our final three games,” Vernon Hills coach Paul Brettner said Brettner noted Vernon Hills has been consistently getting more possessions than its opponents by winning the offensive rebounding and turnover battles “This keeps us in every game,” he explained