The developer of the Sanctuary of Lake Zurich residential community wants to build a different kind of condo project in town Luxury still would be the watchword but these units would be used to store classic and rare cars “It’s shocking to me how many rare cars are out there and how much they’re valued at but this is a very popular business model right now and type of development and they're selling out across the country,” he explained to the Lake Zurich village board this week during a courtesy review of Luxe Corsa Car Condominiums Courtesy reviews are nonvoting sessions to give developers a sense of whether their proposal could work in town and usually include suggestions should they decide to proceed with the official approval process Kapudija's Miller Street Partners and Katie Lambert are pitching a car condo development for 20 acres known as the Calabrese property on Route 12 south of Old McHenry Road and north of Miller Road The proposal features 121 luxury garage condos a high-end boutique car dealership and clubhouse Developers propose to voluntarily annex the unincorporated property into the village each condo building showcases a racetrack-themed mural The smallest would fit four cars and the largest six to eight cars with a maximum total number of 300 to 400 The development would be gated and the assets protected 24 hours a day by an advanced security system and on-site personnel A racing lifestyle-themed clubhouse with a large event space for private and corporate gathering and including racing and golf simulators private conference rooms and spa would anchor the development “We want this to be a really aesthetically beautiful experience,” Lambert said “We don't want this to look like a self-storage facility.” Kapudija is a Lake Zurich resident who has developed residential projects throughout the Chicago area and is involved in other projects in the village He said he is considering two other car condo projects elsewhere and Luxe Corsa Car Condominiums would be the flagship “We're really focusing on designing a space that feels special and unique (and) doesn’t exist anywhere else in the Chicagoland area,” Lambert added would be high-end collectible cars many of which are not driven “I think it would be something neat to have in our area,” said village Trustee Marc Spacone Trustee Greg Weider suggested meeting with neighbors to address potential concerns or misconceptions Kapudija said the market is hot for these types of developments referencing Iron Gate in Naperville and another planned in Barrington as examples of their popularity Iron Gate Motor Condos was among the first in Illinois to offer space exclusively for classic Ground was broken on 50 acres near Interstate 88 and Route 59 in 2014 “Proof of concept didn’t exist when I started,” said commercial builder “I had to go out of state and bring in people who could explain it” to city officials Popularity fueled expansion to include 40,000 square feet of auto-related retail “It turned into more than just the condos,” he said “There’s a huge car community in Chicagoland In Barrington, MotorCave Auto Suites is part of a proposed $90 million mixed-use project within the village’s “Golden Triangle.” Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application passed away from a cardiac event in the early morning hours of March 2 2025 at Advocate Good Shepard Hospital in Barrington After moving to Illinois in elementary school he went on to graduate from Libertyville Highschool in 1998 He applied to only one college and was thankful to attend and graduate from The University of Michigan with a major in Sports Management and a minor in Kinesiology After of few years working with the Chicago Bears he went back to school to find his true passion he was teaching 8th grade English at Aptakisic Junior high and was previously at Lake Zurich Middle School North He was cherished by both students and colleagues alike Craig met his beautiful wife Susan and they became engaged in 2011 and were married October 2 Craig and Susan went on to have two beautiful children always encouraging his kids to find their passion and cheering them on in sports Craig always emphasized the importance of charity and standing up for what’s right and that legacy will continue through his wife and children His humor and smile will be remembered by all as he touched the lives of so many people He will be deeply missed but live on through our cherished memories of him Craig is survived by his wife Susan; his children Richard and Judith; brother Steve and wife Meredith; sister Jennifer Steele and Fiancé Kevin Jobin; sister Sarah Trantham and husband Ross Trantham He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews and many aunts Craig is preceded in death by his grandparents Frank and Geraldine Podolski; his uncles Thomas Masserang and Michael Masserang; his aunt Marianne Masserang; and his cousin Jaclyn Scott the family requests very casual dress wear to honor the man who loathed dressing up and who wore tshirts and flip flops in the dead of winter March 8th at 10:00am at Davenport Family Funeral Home in Lake Zurich In lieu of flowers a GoFundMe is set up to support Susan and the children during this difficult time, click here to donate online a trust is being set up for Aubrey and Wyatt and all will be updated upon its completion Davenport Family Funeral Homes and Crematory – Lake Zurich Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Lake and McHenry County Scanner A bar and grill in downtown Lake Zurich is temporarily closed after a fire Lake Zurich Fire Chief David Pilgard said the Lake Zurich Police Department received a call for a burglar alarm at Scoreboard Bar and Grill Officers arrived and observed and smelled smoke in the restaurant The Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department was called to the scene Firefighters arrived and found smoke coming from the basement Firefighters searched the building to ensure no one was inside Crews located a fire in the basement in a storage area and quickly extinguished it The fire appears to be electrical in nature and the fire department is working with the insurance company to conduct a thorough investigation The Lake Zurich Building and Zoning Department and the Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department Fire Prevention Bureau were at the scene on Monday Scoreboard Bar and Grill said they are temporarily closed for repairs and cleanup due to the fire “We are thankful this event occurred after our team left the building Everyone is safe and sound,” the business said Pilgard said that while the fire was contained to the basement the building sustained smoke damage throughout Fire crews remained on the scene for less than two hours Nearby fire departments covered one of Lake Zurich’s fire stations during the incident 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 After more than 20 years of potential and proposals that haven’t materialized Lake Zurich officials are hoping a prime property downtown finally will be developed and boost ongoing revitalization efforts Rather than field pitches at informal courtesy reviews for 10 consolidated open parcels facing the namesake lake and a promenade officials Monday agreed to sell what is known as Block A for $1.05 million to a builder/developer who approached them with an offer The contract with Deerfield-based THG Holdings LLC has a 90-day “feasibility period” for the company at its own expense to review the property in detail for engineering issues or environmental risks associated with their proposed use If the contract isn’t terminated within that period THG will have 120 days to secure engineering and architectural approvals from the village for the development of at least 18 townhouses and a 10,000-square-foot commercial building on the 1.7-acre site at 173 W “The village has built all the protections into the sales agreement,” said Michael Duebner Village officials confirmed the townhouses would be for sale not rent and emphasized the importance of a commercial element that would be good for buyers and the community in general “The commercial property will be a huge win if done right,” said Trustee Roger Sugrue has been building homes in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin for 40 years including recent projects in Wauconda The village acquired the parcels that comprise Block A in 2004 and 2006 cleared the site and made it available for sale and development who said the company tries to find “great infill pieces” to develop “We’re really enthusiastic,” he told the village board before the vote He said the company will proceed with its assessment and subsequent proposal for review and final approval as quickly as the village process can move Duebner said an email from Goodman was awaiting when he came to work Tuesday morning A meeting of the village development team of representatives from all applicable departments and Goodman is planned for this week “This type of project is in their wheelhouse,” Duebner said I think there’s a good possibility this will carry all the way through.” both involving a mix of apartments above ground-floor businesses were presented last year to the village board for courtesy reviews but neither proceeded and the village renewed its marketing effort Mayor Tom Poynton noted that with this sale the village will have dispensed with all but one of the 32 properties purchased by past regimes passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on November 21 2017 in Hoffman Estates to Aaron and Anna Subich 2024 from 1 PM until 8 PM at The Orchard Church A Celebration of Mia’s life will be on Wednesday and rose again so she could be right with God and live forever and she enjoyed talking to God and giving to others unequivocally loved every kid she ever met; she loved all her school She especially had a heart to include everyone and naturally had a way of connecting and even reconnecting She talked about one day wanting to be a dress designer or just playing in the park for her to hear a loud “MIA!” because she was so endearing to those that knew her When she wasn’t loving and playing with other kids she showered that love on Barbie dolls and other dolls and her 3 Barbie houses were among her most treasured possessions (which she ‘usually’ shared with her sisters) usually led family dance parties in the kitchen was always the first one done with dessert (to go play) and never left any bacon or candy leftovers (unless she knew someone didn’t have any) Her favorite time every day was at night being read a book in her bed by Mom after reading the Bible and praying with her sisters and parents Her two worst moments in life were hearing she had to leave to come home from Kanakuk Family Camp (a Christian summer camp/resort in Missouri) and learning she had to wash off her tiger face paint after a work party of her Dads.  Mia was all of their favorite middle child in the whole world and was so loved and wanted In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mia’s favorite place in the world, Kanakuk at https://kanakuk.com/ Lake Zurich will replace the expiring 1% state grocery tax with a local one starting Jan Shoppers won’t notice a difference as the local grocery tax will remain 1% allowing the village to maintain a “critical stable revenue stream needed for municipal operations.” Lake Zurich has six or more large grocery stores and receives about $1.3 million annually which supports core village services including police Adoption of a local grocery tax replaces the expiring state sales tax but will not increase the amount of sales taxes paid on groceries The village board without comment Monday approved an ordinance creating the local tax The measure was part of its omnibus agenda which generally includes a variety of items approved in a single roll call vote Grocery taxes have been collected by the state and remitted to communities for decades JB Pritzker signed into law a measure eliminating the state grocery tax on items as of Jan 1 but giving communities authority to implement their own the change has no impact on the state budget but eliminates a stable revenue source on which municipalities and counties rely for funding local government operations “Lake Zurich along with many other communities are simply replacing the tax which would otherwise punch a good-sized hole into our budget,” said Michael Duebner have just approved local grocery taxes joining dozens of other communities who have until Oct 1 to approve the local tax and notify the Illinois Department of Revenue Many towns have approved or are considering local grocery taxes to keep the revenue intact in 2025-26 fiscal year budgets the son of the late Bernard and Elizabeth (nee Kraft) Whowell Joe attended Trinity International University and graduated with a degree in communications Joe was a retired police officer from Prospect Heights He worked within the community to create outreach programs He worked throughout his life volunteering at various church communities His favorite being a camp leader at his childhood camp he valued working hard to provide for his family He enjoyed the simple things in life like spending time with family painstakingly cheering for the Bears and the Hawks and helping out with family’s or friend’s house projects.  and grandson expected in December; his brother Jonathan (Wendi) Whowell; his sister-in-law we celebrate his entrance into heavenly home We take comfort in knowing that he devoted his life to God and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory The funeral service will be held the following day Donations may be made in Joe’s memory to an organization close to Joe’s heart, Safe Families Organization, visit https://safe-families.funraise.org/ Developers are seeking feedback from Lake Zurich officials for what would be the largest residential community in town The proposed 282-unit June Terrace mixed-use development also would include a quick-serve restaurant on an outlot about 20 acres known as the Regal property at 755 S a Deerfield-based retail and restaurant developer a privately-owned Wisconsin-based firm that has developed 35,800 homes in 20 states Each will present concept plans for a nonvoting courtesy review during the village board meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at village hall, 70 E. Main St. or online live or after the fact at lakezurich.org described as a “diverse and unique housing type,” envisions 282 apartments from studio to three-bedrooms The restaurant would be 4,000 square feet and feature indoor and outdoor seating “This would be the largest development Lake Zurich has experienced at 282 units,” said Michael Duebner The overall development will require partial rezoning to accommodate the combined uses went into bankruptcy in early 2023 and announced the closure of dozens of locations Lake Zurich wasn’t on the list at the time but that apparently changed and the property has been for sale “They decided to divest of the Lake Zurich location,” Duebner said “It’s an older property and they would have to make considerable reinvestment.” The entire site totals about 23 acres and includes undeveloped land to the south the project would add value to the area by replacing the “aging underutilized theater” with an unnamed national restaurant chain alongside a “walkable high-end rental residential community to reinvigorate this section of the Rand Road corridor,” according to materials presented to the village June Terrace would feature a clubhouse with a 24-hour fitness center Amenities include a resort-style swimming pool 24-hour maintenance and a dedicated on-site team The apartment community would expand housing options for young professionals and empty nesters About 46,000 vehicles daily travel on busy Rand Road “It’s an interesting discussion,” Duebner said “They feel strongly about the site and the location.” construction is ongoing at Continental’s the Springs at Mundelein a “garden-style” community of 147 apartment homes on the west side of Butterfield Road south of Huntington Drive in Mundelein the sounds of construction permeating downtown Lake Zurich will mark not only the start of a big streetscape makeover but tangible evidence of a bigger picture in the works village officials recently approved an updated comprehensive plan outlining a variety of goals visions and standards for the entire community The milestone 154-page “Lake Zurich Together” comprehensive plan is the first detailed update since 2003 Village staff began working on it in 2018 but put it on hold due to significant changes resulting from the pandemic Teska Associates of Evanston and their partners were hired to finish the task the purpose was to shift the emphasis from policies geared primarily for growth and expansion to also consider infill and redevelopment projects “Lake Zurich Together” is the culmination of an 18-month process involving interviews updates in the village newsletter and even a booth at the farmers market 20-year guide to set priorities and make decisions on a range of topics Key goals include increasing the type and number of destinations dining and activities; enhancing a sense of community and quality of life by continued investment in arts Main Street and other amenities; expanding the network of sidewalks offering a range of housing options tailored to different ages and needs the number of people 65 and older will surpass the number of people 18 and younger “We heard a great deal from the community about senior housing and aging in place,” she told the board before final approval “People want to continue living in Lake Zurich.” Strategies to achieve the goals include design guidelines with examples appropriate for neighborhoods corridors and special areas to enhance and build on Lake Zurich’s existing character Also within the plan is a dedicated framework to activate and continue the revitalization of the Main Street area and identifying opportunities for development or annexation along the routes 22 and 12 corridor Intended as a road map the plan will be considered and synced with capital projects over that time getting results will require a unified effort investment and a commitment to action,” Cigliano said It will be essential to continue fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors and continue to engage the community Mayor Tom Poynton said that’s been the case all along “We're seeking input from everybody in this community and will continue to do that,” he said Willowbrook senior distance standout Amelie Ojeda was not pushed real hard by the competition Saturday yet she did just fine pushing herself around the track wanted to work her way out of a mini slump and to come away with a title at Glenbard West’s Sue Pariseau Invite and she succeeded on both fronts by winning the 3,200 with a time of 11:00.07 Geneva’s Sofia Borter was second and almost a half-minute behind Ojeda who was fifth in the state in cross country “I was hoping to go sub 11 today — so close Besides the wind the temperature was perfect for running today The cooler the temperature the better us distance runners run.” Saturday’s meet featured several strong teams — with Lake Zurich (90.5) New Trier (89) and Glenbard West (72.5) — finishing 1-2-3 in part because Naperville North’s talented distance runners did not compete since they were running Saturday night in Palatine But this didn’t stop Ojeda from pushing herself hard “I can run longer distances with cross country and hold higher speeds Saturday’s meet saw several local athletes excel and few had a better day than Wheaton North’s Sophia Dalrymple who won the 100 hurdles and took second in the long jump before capping her day off with a thrilling finish while winning the 200 barely edging Lincoln-Way East’s Alaina Steel (26.18) and New Trier’s Emilia Smith (26.20) Wheaton North’s Autumn Gruenwald and Willowbrook’s Olivia Gwaltney took fourth and fifth as a tight pack of 5 runners came across the line together but I wasn’t totally sure,” said Dalrymple The Falcon speedster qualified for state last year as a freshman in both hurdle events but she took the day off Saturday in her best event She won the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.70 and Geneva’s Alyssa Flotte was third in the event in 16.44 “I finished around 11th for both hurdles [at state] but I’m hoping to make the finals this year,” Dalrymple added but it would be nice to get into the finals for the 100 too.” The host Hilltoppers won the 4x800 relay when Mackenzie Gilbert Alexa Novak and Maia Kaslewicz finished in 9:39.58 to top runner-up Barrington (9:43.88) Oak Park-River Forest won in 1:43.64 with Geneva’s Hadley Mason Harper Kobbeman and Flotte taking second in 1:44.40 Novak picked up a second win for Glenbard West when she topped the 1600 field with a time of 5:08.14 Naperville North’s Chloe Piot (5:26.72) and Sennah Rashidian (5:27.92) each turned in personal bests while placing 4-5 in the mile Glenbard West pole vaulter Kendal Cullen took second after clearing 11-6 for the first time this spring Barrington’s Yane Jansen Van Rensburg won with a state-best 12-3 effort while Geneva’s Ava Mehren placed third at 11-0 “I think I was seeded fourth so I was really happy with getting second,” Cullen said “I haven’t been jumping super great this spring so I really wanted to clear at least 11-6 who reached the finals down state last year is hoping to climb a few notches this spring and come away with all-state honors but the second day was not great,” she said I was feeling good and running fast so that was good Then I moved up to a new pole and that was exciting but when I went to 12 [feet] I got antsy and kind of lost my form a little bit.” Naperville North’s Leah Davis placed third in the long jump (16-08) and teammates Alyse Hoffman was third in the high jump (4-11.75) and Jael Badie third in the triple jump (34-06.75) Thanks to their ability to both obtain game control and seize it away from their opponent when needed Lake Zurich was able to earn a hard-fought 25-17 25-23 victory to pin the first defeat on Libertyville on Saturday The win came in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Palatine's East Gym to improve their record to 18-2 on the season at the Palatine-Schaumburg Invite "By the time we hit May we just want to be improving each day and we want to be playing our best ball come playoff time," Lake Zurich coach Brett Stuart said We always have a lot of guys who play (together) on the same club teams and it's always a fun match." In the opening game it used a 13-2 run to gain the upper hand thanks to a pair of services aces by senior outside hitter Gabe Schwartz and a pair kills from 6-9 senior setter Wyatt Jones That left Lake Zurich up 16-7 allowing them to keep a cushion between them and the Wildcats Libertyville (13-1) would get no closer than 21-16 when senior MH Jordan Coughlin connected for a kill off a feed from senior teammate Aarav Bamrolia 1 block) would achieve the clinching set point off a pass from freshman Libero Nikola Stanojevic for game one Game two took a completely different turn as Lake Zurich needed to rally from a 20-16 deficit by going on a match-winning 9-3 surge 1 kill) emphatically topped it off with back-to-back blocks to seal the deal 1 block) credited getting the team back to full strength as it "Once we got our whole team back it made a huge difference and our team chemistry has been great the past (few) days hanging out with all the (guys)," Schwartz said That's what we like and we're just feeling good." Libertyville coach Jenny Smith said her squad has been dealing with their own set of injuries "Today we were missing a couple of guys and sometimes that can come into play," Smith said "The ball control was up and down and we were working on trying to be really consistent but Lake Zurich is a really tough program They've got some really talented guys and when the blocking is not quite right it's hard to defend." Coughlin (5 kills) spoke of the learning experience that he and his teammates will take from this first setback on the season "This game definitely taught us a big lesson To keep on pushing and not give up because I feel like toward the end we were falling apart and losing energy but this is a great game to play and I would love to see them back in sectionals," Coughlin said Penalty kick shootout success helped Lake Zurich claim its second tournament title this spring after beating Glenbrook South in kicks on Friday evening Prospect when they had a 3-1 advantage in kicks against host Prospect to win the Knights Invite crown who against Glenbrook South saved one from the spot turned away two of the three sent her way at George Gattas Stadium to ensure a 2-1 victory to move her club to 10-1-2 on the season so I really feel like we're ready if a game comes down to them," said Bohn Bohn was the hero in the Bears’ shootout victory over Glenbrook North that carried the club to its own tournament title "Spending time in practice gives us all the confidence needed if we go to kicks and winning three games because of it will help us later on in the playoffs as well," added Cammy Niepomnik The senior bagged the lone goal against Glenbrook South and did so on Saturday when she drove her angled effort from the right side into the back of the net just before the half hour The Knights (5-5-1) — themselves a winner in kicks on Friday against St 1-0 (5-4 in kicks) — used an early strike from Courtney Bradbury to give the home side a 1-0 advantage in the 11th minute "We played really well against a great team today It's too bad we didn't get the result we wanted but this is the type of game that will give us a lot of confidence going forward," said Bradbury Both sides would manage a strong wind out of the north all throughout the contest with Bohn making a brave point-blank save on Bradbury in the 78th minute tested on a trio of attempts all throughout the second half Bradbury made a pair of spot-kick saves on Friday against St which gave us a chance to win against a very good opponent," said Knights coach Mike Andrews The Knights host MSL East rival Buffalo Grove on Wednesday while the Bears are away at Zion-Benton on May 1 in a NSC contest The 25th Ed Watson Naperville Invite features nine of the most recent Daily Herald Top 20 teams and would finish up group play on Saturday With this number of high profile teams on the guest list it's no wonder that three of the group venues witnessed penalty-kick shootouts to decide a winner The Huskies won their Invite opener Thursday in kicks over Oswego Keeper Olivia Oschner's heroics led to the Thursday night triumph against Oswego Claire DeClerk and Isa Polaviega each scored to set up the shootout against Lincoln-Way East Charles North (6-4-1) would defeat Waubonsie Valley 2-1 in its Naperville Invite opener then would need a 3-1 spot-kick advantage over Oswego East to advance into the quarterfinals Barrington would finish up a highly successful week of soccer that saw the reigning MSL champions pick up three more points in league play following its 6-0 win over Rolling Meadows before recording a pair of victories over York and Benet Academy to win its group The Fillies (9-0-2) beat York on Friday at home 2-0 on goals from Piper Lucier and Aybree (AJ) Sanchez before a 3-0 win against Benet Academy early Saturday morning sent Ryan Stengren's squad into the quarterfinals but there is still plenty of room for improvement so it will be back to work on Monday for the team," said Stengren Madeline Lewis and freshman Olivia Otto net second half goals against Benet (8-3-2) which currently leads the ESCC with a perfect 4-0-0 record Goals from Alessandra Russo and Alexis May would inspire a 2-0 win from Neuqua Valley (9-2-0) over Fremd on Saturday on the strength of four goals from Callie Tumilty Plans to convert a former favorite eatery on Route 12 in Lake Zurich to a firehouse-themed restaurant are off the table but a familiar name in town is considering a new idea Celebrity chef and restaurateur Fabio Viviani and partner Romeo Kapudija are exploring plans for a new restaurant in the former Fritzl's European Restaurant & Pub The village board two years ago approved plans by husband-and-wife duo Kris and Moriah Schoenberger for Station 52 Truck Company Bar & Grill But that project didn’t materialize and the property was sold to Viviani and Kapudija Schoenberger this week acknowledged he no longer was involved in a project for Fritzl’s but declined to comment on the circumstances Village staff met with Kapudija and a contractor last week regarding the proposed interior demolition of the property and potential plans to remodel the interior for an Asian-themed restaurant Fabio operates 40 restaurant concepts nationally including Giostra by Fabio Viviani which opened last fall at the Arboretum of South Barrington at The Sanctuary on Lake Zurich townhouse complex developed by Kapudija at the southeast corner of Rand and Old Rand roads across the street from the former Fritzl's Plans for the new venture are being reviewed by the village They intend to use the plans and special use entitlements granted to the Schoenbergers with no significant changes A timeline or next steps have not been disclosed Viviani said it was too early to discuss future projects and concept While a new restaurant in the heavily traveled corridor is welcome proposals for a key area known as Block A in the downtown business district overlooking the southeast shore of the namesake lake are not being pursued The village has renewed efforts to market the property were presented last year to the village board for courtesy reviews One of them from Viviani and Kapudija was for 56 apartments and two ground-floor restaurants He said the village is “aggressively marketing” the 1.67-acre lot for redevelopment Carter Monroe transitioned from guard to free safety with Palatine clinging to a 1-point lead and less than three minutes left in Wednesday night’s Class 4A Rolling Meadows boys basketball regional semifinal against Lake Zurich Monroe read a baseline drive to the basket and kickout pass perfectly for an interception And from there he barreled to the other end for a layup with 2:40 to play that helped the seventh-seeded Pirates (19-13) get an intense 48-42 victory over the 10th-seeded Bears (13-18) “When I saw him drive the baseline I wanted him to make that pass,” Monroe said of the last of his 11 points “I knew I could grab it and once I did it was full steam.” And that’s how the Pirates have been playing with five consecutive wins Six-foot-4 junior big man Tony Balanganayi had 18 points and 12 rebounds and Darrin Dick and Brady May added 8 points apiece to put them in Friday’s 7 p.m regional final against second-seed Meadows (27-4) 16 South Elgin 60-23 in the first semifinal “The way we’re finishing the season off,” Balanganayi said “we can make a run this year as we made a run last year (to finish fourth in the state in 4A).” The Pirates lost 53-30 to Meadows in December and 54-40 to Lake Zurich on Jan But they are 6-2 since a 54-46 loss to Hoffman Estates “After that effort we said we’ve gotta make a change now or it’s not going to happen But the postseason opener was far from easy against the Bears and their physical man-to-man defense Kain Kretschmar had 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting with three 3s Connor Strauss had 13 points and 6 rebounds and Adrian Riep had 9 points and 6 rebounds while battling Balanganayi inside “It’s exhausting playing against them,” Palatine coach Eric Millstone said in admiration of Terry Coughlin’s team “You feel like you accomplished something getting out with a ‘W.’” Lake Zurich had leads of 37-34 with 7:24 left on Strauss’ 10-foot turnaround in the lane and 39-38 with 4:50 left on Kretschmar’s long jumper But the Bears’ only other basket in a 3-for-12 fourth quarter was Kretschmar’s 3 off a Strauss offensive rebound and assist to cut their deficit to 44-42 at 1:31 “They made a couple of adjustments defensively in the second half in their (1-2-2) zone where they dared us to skip the ball a little more and we didn’t do a great job of skipping it,” Coughlin said “We guarded really hard and guarded their actions really well The kids were prepared and tough as nails.” Palatine had extended the lead to 44-39 when Dick found Balanganayi down low for a layup Dick and Balanganayi also hit 2 free throws apiece in the final 56 seconds to finish the victory “We knew coming out for this game we’d have to dominate after our tough loss to them last time,” Balanganayi said “Basketball’s a long season and you’ve gotta weather the highs and lows,” Millstone said “We had a little stretch early in the year where we weren’t playing our best but we’re starting to click right now.” South Elgin 23: Second-seeded Rolling Meadows (27-4) got all the publicity it needed last Wednesday for winning the Mid-Suburban League championship In its regional opener it scored the first 15 points played its top eight less than 16 minutes and had a running clock the entire fourth quarter as it won for the 10th time in 11 games “We had a game plan and came in here and took care of business,” said Meadows junior Kenan Pekovic who scored all 10 of his points on 4-for-6 shooting in the first half and hit two 3s “Coach (Kevin Katovich) tells us we don’t want to be in the headlines in a bad way.” Marquette-bound Ian Miletic had 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting with 2 assists and two 3s and Patrick Coen had 6 points and 4 rebounds Sean Kerr had 7 points and Lazar Lazarevic and Andrew Krestel had 6 points apiece “Our guys were focused and ready to go,” Katovich said “With this group I’m never worried about their approach to the game which got 6 points from sophomore Aman Chiluka committed 19 turnovers which Meadows turned into 27 points The 11-team Buffalo Grove girls track and field Invite was a big test for area squads Saturday afternoon under some ideal weather conditions for the outdoor meet Lake Zurich rolled to the team title with 140.5 points followed by Evanston (104 points) in second Schaumburg edged Fremd 74.5 to 73 for fourth place while Lake Park (70.5) placed sixth The Bears' road to the championship was led by first-place finishers Kendall Flournoy (12.50) in the 100-meter dash Polina Krupsky (2:18.34) in the 800-meter run and freshman Arisa Bisofa (41.74 meters) in the discus but we are putting together a team with everybody contributing from top to bottom," said Lake Zurich coach Jeremy Kauffman and Arisa broke the school and meet record in the discus today." Flournoy was happy with her first outdoor meet of the season it was a good chance to get out and compete and it's a pretty good place to start the season," Flournoy said and I've pretty much been focusing on the relays since then." Schaumburg 2024 state qualifier Amy Carhee won the 100-meter hurdles in 15.45 seconds Senior Kaylee Meyer (fourth in state high jump) did not compete for Schaumburg and especially since she had not run the 300 since her sophomore year," said Schaumburg coach Robin Bingham "They (4x800 relay) have been looking great and I was really happy that there were pushed by Fremd in that race." Stevenson's relays were impressive as the 4x100 team of Deha Krishnan That same foursome won the 4x200 relay in 1:42.82 Wilson took second in the 100 and 200-meter dashes Lake Park's Ruth Dellaria (11:14.69) beat Lake Zurich's Avery Muhr (11:14.70) in a photo finish for first place in the 3,200-meter run The Lancers also got first-place finishes from Olivia Stranz (1.57 meters) in the high jump and Julia Kelly (10.77 meters) in the triple jump Lake Park got second's from Brynn Ellenbecker (1,600) "I think this was a good start to our outdoor season and it's nice to get some wins overall to build confidence," said Lake Park coach Jay Ivory "We're starting to come together so I feel good about the team and the girls are working hard." Cary-Grove junior Caelie Mendro (2.92 meters) won the pole vault competition while teammate Olivia Parker edged Carhee for the 300-meter hurdles crown Wheeling's Katie Moser (5.26 meters) was the long jump champ "Parker is the first pole vaulter we've had to commit to pole vault in the off-season and she got two-feet better," said Cary-Grove coach Mark Anderson "Olivia is a returning state qualifier in both hurdles and she found a little extra burst of speed in the end." Fremd's Kate Schillinger took second in the 400-meter run The Vikings' 4x800 squad of Adeline Dietrich Other second place finishers were Moser (triple jump) and Lake Zurich's Hope Rothas (pole vault) An 85-year-old woman was taken to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington after Lake Zurich police say the Toyota RAV 4 she was driving struck two other cars around 4:16 p.m Friday in the vicinity of Route 12 and Ela Road in Lake Zurich He had no other information on her condition Investigators found no skid marks and the cause of the crash remains under investigation two motorists who drove around police roadblocks received citations A 58-year-old Wheeling man was cited for a petty offense and a 64-year-old McHenry man was charged with a DUI Stevenson's boys basketball team elicited plenty of both reactions in its 64-37 defeat of visiting Lake Zurich in North Suburban Conference action Friday night in Lincolnshire The Patriots hit a pair of buzzer-beaters via a three-pointer one by senior guard Aidan Bardic (13 points) before halftime and another by junior guard Donny Williams at the end of the third quarter Williams (game-high 17 points) had swatted a shot collected the ensuing rebound and nailed a trey --- elapsed time in that sensational sequence: 7 seconds --- in the first quarter Bardic's no-look pass preceded an easy third-quarter layup by junior guard Rocco Pagliocca Senior post player Atticus Richmond (12 points 11 rebounds) needed only 32 seconds in the second quarter to score his first 4 points and threw down a third-quarter dunk ahead of his acrobatic Even Stevenson reserve Charlie Rich wowed 'em blocking a Bears shot and gathering the rebound 1 millisecond later in the fourth quarter all of us did," Williams said after Stevenson (20-8 overall 11-2 in the NSC) clinched a share of the conference championship and LZ slipped to 13-16 5-8 in the penultimate conference matchup for both teams "We play our best when we share the ball like we did tonight," the 6-footer added Teams in our tough conference play a variety of styles meaning we have to prepare well and then adjust well pretty much every night." 15 --- enjoyed leads of 18-7 and 22-11 in the second frame before taking complete control in the third quarter on a triple from Pagliocca (10 points) capping off a 7-0 spurt and swelling the advantage to 34-16 "We didn't keep them out of the paint," LZ coach Terry Coughlin lamented Stevenson has a good chance to go deep in the playoffs "We have to compete better than we did tonight." Junior Adrian Riep paced the Bears with 9 points 1 more than senior teammate Tyler Olson's output Stevenson senior Liam Curtin scored 6 points and grabbed 7 boards "We got caught trading too many baskets with them in the third quarter," Patriots coach Will Benson said "Then we started to guard quite well and take good care of the ball so it's a great accomplishment winning a share of the title especially considering where we stood as a team a month ago." travels to Waukegan (second place in the NSC) for its final conference contest on Wednesday night A 15-home subdivision has approvals to proceed in Lake Zurich after incorporating several changes based on talks with neighbors and village officials Meadow Wood East will be built on eight undeveloped acres east of Rand Road and north of Miller Road with five models and prices starting at $600,000 and up developers sought to resubdivide the property into 15 lots The advisory planning and zoning commission recommended approval last October and the village board considered the proposal Jan the request was continued for issues raised by the board regarding potential impacts on the residential neighborhood to the south that needed to be addressed the site plan was revised and returned to the board Monday changes include repaving Manchester Road; improving stormwater management to comply with current Lake County requirements; adding a 6-foot high composite fence with landscaping as a screen for residents to the south; and building new homes with designs focused on energy efficiency and sustainability The initial plan was for the land buyers to do the site work and then offer lots to custom homebuilders to complete But village trustees were concerned the open-ended schedule would create unnecessary confusion and inconsistency in design “After considering our options and with feedback from potential developer/builders it became very clear that the only way to control the community consistency and schedule was to build the houses ourselves,” contract purchaser Mike Naumowicz of Niles informed the board He said his team is experienced in marketing and construction and could complete the new subdivision within two years of the site being graded and utilities and roads completed and inspected Homes will range from 2,013 square feet to 3,747 square feet Four of the five models are two-stories and one is ranch style which would have taller roof lines and other features “It doesn’t look like a typical low-slung ranch,” Jeff Letzter Trustees said they appreciated the concerns of the board and neighbors were taken into consideration resulting in revisions and a unified direction for the project “You can tell there was a lot of due diligence and deliberate kind of changes in modeling which I appreciate,” said Trustee William Riley not everyone was on board as the requested approvals passed by a 4-2 vote with trustees Greg Weider and Mary Beth Euker against Weider said he thought the homes were attractive but had concerns about lot size and neighborhood disruption Lake Zurich village staff will be meeting with downtown businesses to share project details and tips to manage impacts and “allow everyday life to happen” as a centerpiece project to redesign Main Street gets underway The rebuild from the lakeside promenade to Church Street and related work represents a huge village investment in the area Work also will include a water transmission line representing the first phase of bringing Lake Michigan water to town and extensive utility work along Whitney Road and Lake Zurich Drive to the west Village officials Monday authorized a not-to-exceed contract of $13.16 million with Copenhaver Construction Inc That includes streetscaping along Main Street a new water transmission line at Church Street sanitary sewer and stormwater improvements along Main Street “It’s a project that you may only get to do once in your career “It’s all about providing a refresh within the downtown that hopefully provides a spark of energy to promote further opportunities to enhance the community.” The village is paying with $4 million from its non-home-rule fund; $7.2 million from the water and sewer fund; and Streetscaping Main Street through the heart of the community has been envisioned since the early 2000s and is expected to change the look and feel of the downtown district for generations Full construction is expected to begin in early April and likely last much of the year “The goal is to work very closely with all the business owners downtown,” Brown said the village refreshed the promenade itself with new decking landscaping and other features but because of material delays The streetscape redesign beginning at the promenade will include a landscaped median new angled parking and a pedestrian crosswalk Main Street will be narrowed to 10 feet and sidewalks widened to slow vehicles and expand public space to encourage businesses to add outdoor seating A distinctive feature will be a decorative custom brick compass emblem at Old Rand and Main Street symbolizing the “interconnectedness at the heart of the community,” according to the village Improvements include 73,000 square feet of bricks a bioswale and more; planting 40 trees and 14,000 perennials; and two traffic calming landscaped medians west of Old Rand Road More than a mile of Whitney and Main Street will be resurfaced The Church Street water main is critical as it provides pressure improvements to the existing system It’s being replaced beneath Main Street now to avoid having to tear up a new road later A final route between the Lake Michigan water connection in Vernon Hills to Oakwood and Midlothian roads in Lake Zurich is being designed It was baseball weather that only a Midwesterner could barely love Thursday Viator and host Lake Zurich battled through the seven full innings of baseball with St “It doesn’t get much worse than this,” said St there is just an element that baseball players have to be tough It was also a time to see some old friends for new Lake Zurich coach Mike Manno who was away from coaching for two years while he was the athletic director at Nazareth Academy These kids make it enjoyable for me to be back out here again.” who is in his third season as head coach at Viator after previously coaching at Elk Grove said it was good to be playing against Manno again “We have been coaching against each other for a long time,” Beyna said “He is a good friend of mine and I have a ton of respect for him Viator (7-5) jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first two innings Brandon Thomsen’s sacrifice fly in the first scored Jonathan Tschanz Mascolo would later score on Alec Harer’s sacrifice fly Lake Zurich (5-4) bounced back over their next two at-bats to take a 4-3 lead Carson Hamblin singled to lead off the second But the Bears missed a huge opportunity when after having runners on second and third with no outs Viator pitcher Frank Clary fanned the next three batters with a looking third strike The Bears did bounce back for three in the third Viator errors in the inning as Jackson Piggott scored on another error and Hamblin scored on AJ Foley’s single Viator surged ahead for good when they scored five in the fifth to take an 8-4 lead Brock Harer reached on an error and Tschanz walked Brandon Hynek then drove in a pair with a double Oberwise scored the final run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Clary The Lions tacked on two runs in the sixth as Tommy Beyna Hynek drove in his third run of the game with an RBI single to make it 11-4 “It is fun anytime we can come out with a win,” Hynek said said he was able to stay warm at times thanks to the catcher’s gear that he wears “When I was hitting it was freezing,” said Thomson who is a junior and has multiple college offers “But behind the dish I got to wear my chest protector so I was a little bit warmer Lake Zurich added a pair of runs in the seventh to close out the scoring Kaczmarek doubled home a run and then would score on Hamblin’s third hit of the game “We have a good group and they work hard.” a successful ice cream shop on Main Street in Lake Zurich has social media buzzing and people questioning the village's role in improving the local business climate Is the longtime family operation a casualty of the natural cycle of business associated with upgrading an area Can or should that be approached differently Either the news is a heartbreaking turn for dedicated patrons with memories of first dates and jobs or an example of the market adjusting as a new building owner proceeds with significant improvements and key investment in downtown Cally Razes, owner of My Flavor It Place, posted a lengthy letter announcing the closing on Facebook Jan. 2 that has elicited hundreds of comments “I was definitely surprised,” she said of the response “I was not anticipating that much communication from people and that reaction.” contending decisions by village officials are making the town less family friendly Others noted My Flavor It Place and two other businesses in the building enjoyed well-below-market rents for years and had ample notification and time to react Beyond the conflicting opinions on the closure an undisputed fact is the My Flavor It Place opted not to renew its lease Razes said she anticipated and was prepared for a substantial rent increase the lease terms and other issues involving the building project made it unreasonable to continue at that location we hope to encourage greater oversight and community involvement in our towns and governing bodies,” Razes explained of the social media post My Flavor It Place is a seasonal ice cream and shaved ice shop that opened down the street as Uncle T’s in 2003 It closed at that location the location was condemned and demolished for apartment buildings It also has locations in Wauconda and Palatine The building at Main Street and North Old Rand Road was sold to a developer last March “While many in the community are mourning the lost of My Flavor It Place it was their business decision to close the Lake Zurich location,” said Michael Duebner Razes said she had hoped for “better communication honest and transparency” as plans for the corner evolved The village acquired the building in 2006 as part of a continuing redevelopment initiative that involves other properties Duebner said it was no secret the village wanted to sell the property and there was no lack of transparency in the process the three tenants were told of a potential sale and given the option to buy the property They declined due to the building’s age and anticipated future maintenance costs It was sold for $200,000 to True North Properties Inc True North is expected to invest at least $1.5 million over two years in the prominent corner in the heart of downtown Lease increases were limited to a maximum of 10% through June 2025 which had been downtown for 45 years and a tenant in that building for nearly half the time Overdue maintenance of that corner space needed to be addressed to secure building insurance had not renewed but planned to stay and there has been interest in the other spaces As you would expect after a lifetime in the shoemaking and repair business Johnny Bafaloukos has plenty to share about his trade including a backstory that's hard to picture given his kindly manner But right now the focus is how the community is rallying to help the 85-year-old find and carry on in a new location in downtown Lake Zurich Volunteers will assemble Saturday morning to help pack items from Johnny's Shoe Repair into donated trucks and move them to a new space around the corner “We should have a good crew here to box everything up,” said Michael Muir who grew up in town and read about Bafaloukos' need to move on Facebook Johnny's has been in downtown Lake Zurich for 45 years and at the corner of Old Rand Road and Main Street for nearly half that time even after a devastating Thanksgiving Day fire early on But after the village sold the building where he operates informed him they would not be renewing his monthly lease When Janice Gannon, a former village trustee, learned Bafaloukos had received a 30-day notice to leave the space, she took to Lake Zurich Chat seeking community support to help the longtime business survive Gannon was surprised when the post received about 1,000 likes It really pulled at people's heart strings,” she said who didn't know Johnny but had available space in his nearby insurance office building He offered it to Bafaloukos for as long as needed God is central in what became a second life of sorts for the old shoemaker Bafaloukos said he was an “agent” for organized crime in Cleveland with “a gun on my side Facing gambling debts and threatened repercussions Bafaloukos fled to the Chicago suburbs and opened shop in Lake Zurich in 1979 who leads the Knights of Columbus Lake Zurich corralled volunteers and equipment for the move “Growing up in the area and being down the street and a business owner Others have been dropping off boxes and packing materials True North founder George Ieremciuc said the company is forced to address overdue maintenance in Johnny's space to secure insurance for the building Ieremciuc in an email described Bafaloukos as a “sweet old man” who the company loves as a person “We love his business and we would never evict Johnny,” he said Bafaloukos maintains a sense of peace about the situation prominently proclaimed in religious and biblical signs throughout the storefront space On the counter are copies of handwritten essays for anyone interested “You'd be surprised the encounters I (have with) people but business is good at Johnny’s and Bafaloukos’ work ethic remains strong I've got to feel like I could still do something he began working as an apprentice for a shoe manufacturer in Cleveland according to a village proclamation marking his 40th anniversary in Lake Zurich Bafaloukos owned a large shoe shop in Cleveland and employed six shoemakers While shoes were being sold for upward of $300 a pair in front “I got greedy and got in trouble,” he said and a seed of faith was tweaked by a visitor to the shop Bafaloukos said he kept it for the leather but put it on a shelf the man reappeared for the first time since the initial visit “I'm a broken down old shoemaker saved by the grace of God,” he said A former Lake Zurich High School cheer coach has been charged with theft and money laundering after diverting school funds for her personal use turned herself into police on a warrant issued on March 14 Officers from the Lake Zurich Police Department were contacted in February by representatives from Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 regarding financial discrepancies discovered related to invoicing being conducted by District 95 high school cheerleading coaches Lake Zurich Police Deputy Chief Colin Gaffney said The investigation determined Kelly unlawfully diverted over $38,000 of school district funds for personal use Kelley Gallt said the Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 Business Department discovered some accounting irregularities last year in the invoicing by coaches of a District 95 high school athletic team the district promptly reported the matter to the Lake Zurich Police Department which resulted in a thorough police investigation “The district is proud of the diligence of the Business Department staff in finding and investigating these irregularities and grateful for a strong partnership with the Lake Zurich Police Department,” she said Gallt also indicated Kelly is not currently a member of the coaching staff Kelly was charged through an information warrant with two counts of Class 1 felony Theft and two counts of Class 2 felony Money Laundering Kelly turned herself in to police Tuesday and appeared in front of Lake County Circuit Court Judge Michael Nerheim Tuesday morning in First Appearance Court Kelly was released from custody because the charges are non-detainable under the Illinois SAFE-T Act She was released with a future court date of April 9 Kelly identified herself as an English teacher with Grayslake Central High School and a cheerleading coach in Lake Zurich in 2024 the Grayslake High School student newspaper from Oct identifies Kelly as a teacher of English II and English III who works as a cheerleading coach at Lake Zurich High School on the side The Grayslake Central High School and Lake Zurich High School websites did not make any mention of Kelly as either a coach or teacher Tuesday evening Junior Kain Kretschmar furiously stormed upcourt with the ball on the play Lake Zurich calls “flood.” The Bears had led most of Wednesday night in their upset bid at Warren but now trailed by 1 point with 16 seconds left The 6-foot-4 Kretschmar didn’t hesitate and collided with Jack Wolf as the whistle blew and the loud crowd in Gurnee awaited the call The officials ruled it a block with 10 seconds left and Kretschmar calmly stepped up and hit both free throws to cap a 23-point night And when Warren sophomore standout Jaxson Davis’ heavily pressured off-balance 3-pointer hit the front rim the Bears had a stunning 49-48 North Suburban Conference victory “He had the hot hand and we trust him to get to the basket,” LZ junior point guard Evan Peterson said of the play usually called for him “We call it ‘flood’ where everyone gets out of the way and I go 1-on-1,” Kretschmar said after going 8-for-13 from the field “Usually it’s for Evan but with how hot I was today it went to me focus in and make the shots.’ There was so much noise in the gym The call could have gone either way but thankfully we got it.” Kretschmar had just hit a similar drive to cut the LZ (9-9 which was 9-for-20 overall on free throws and 5-for-12 in the fourth quarter fumbled a downcourt pass out of bounds and the Bears used their last timeout “With Jaxson guarding (Evan) we thought Kain had a good matchup,” said LZ coach Terry Coughlin “He’s a big-time offensive player and really skilled And then we executed at the end defensively.” Tyler Olson and Tyler Reed played a pivotal role in LZ building leads of 18-8 and 33-23 and never trailing the first 30:38 Peterson had a big part in limiting Davis to 9 points on 4-for-9 shooting Davis gave Warren its first lead at 46-44 at 1:22 with his block of a layup But missing 2 of 4 free throws prevented two chances to make it a two-possession game in the final :50 “I thought (Wolf) took a charge but that call wasn’t the difference in the game,” said Warren coach Zack Ryan “They deserved to win and they played really well We’re in a bit of a funk right now and not really connected the way we’ve been the last year-and-a-half.” And LZ feels as together as any .500 team around “This shows we can hang with the big dogs,” Kretschmar said After losing to Stevenson at home by 6 points in early December visiting Lake Zurich was looking for some revenge against the Patriots Thursday night in North Suburban Conference girls basketball play And despite the final outcome going down to the final seconds the Bears avenged that defeat with a 38-35 NSC victory to tie Stevenson for second place in the conference with identical 7-2 records Lake Zurich (14-6) was 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the final 37.2 seconds of the game as two free throws by Creighton-bound Avery Cooper gave the Bears their biggest lead of the game at 38-32 But a long 3-pointer by Stevenson's Nisha Musunuri (game-high 17 points) cut the lead to 38-35 to keep the Patriots' hopes alive with 14 seconds remaining Then the ninth turnover of the second half by the Bears on an inbounds play gave Stevenson (13-8) the ball right back with a chance to tie the game But a long 3-point attempt by Sydney Rosland was off the mark with three seconds left as Lake Zurich grabbed the rebound to secure the narrow win they made plays in the fourth quarter and we had a number of games like this but we make it so hard on ourselves sometimes just with some bad fundamentals," said Lake Zurich coach Chris Bennett l mean they got us at our place so it's nice to get them in their place and it's always a good rivalry." The game was close from start to finish with the Pats leading 11-10 after one quarter and the Bears ahead 26-25 entering the fourth quarter The Bears had balanced scoring with Layne Nordstrom scoring a team-high 9 points while Cooper and Alex Nowak-Tice all scoring 8 points in the defensive struggle Stevenson's Alexa Karcz had 5 points while teammate Reese McLelland chipped in 4 points "We struggled against their zone defense in the first half so moving the ball was important and we were able to get some kickouts," said Cooper "We're on a streak right now (four wins in a row) so the goal is to keep it going as long as we can." Stevenson had a 7-point run in the first half to take an 18-16 lead but overall the Pats' offense struggled while only hitting 3-for-6 from the foul line in the contest "I was really proud of our defensive effort obviously we're at a size disadvantage against them but we played hard," said Stevenson coach Regan Carmichael whose team only had 3 turnovers in the second half "There was a stretch there in the fourth quarter where we came down and missed some shots and it became a two possession game they played really hard and their defense was really solid." Office sought: Lake Zurich Unit District 95 board (Vote for 4) Previous offices held: Lake Zurich Unit District 95 board member since 2013 Is there a particular issue that motivates you I want to continue the extraordinary success the district has scene in the past several years we have achieved incredible accomplishments We are proudly home to two Blue Ribbon Schools We have been honored with the prestigious Green Ribbon Award for sustainability — one of only 10 schools in the nation to receive this distinction We have consistently been rated AAA by Standard & Poor's — a testament to our financial strength and we have one of the lowest tax rates in Lake County I completely embrace the concept of servant leader and I want to continue the district's momentous accomplishments while being an excellent steward of the taxpayer's money I am a very experienced member of the board (on several committees) and have worked very hard to become the best board member that I can be I am a strong proponent of continuing education and have achieved the status of master/distinguished board member in 2018 and maintained that status ever since What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum The school board primarily governs through our policy and our policy provides that the school board approves the curriculum There is also a policy allowing the board to set up committees to assist with board governance We have established a teaching and learning committee The purpose of the committee is to focus on the continuous improvement of the educational programs offered throughout the district The committee consists of members of the board The committee discusses matters regarding teaching and learning assessment and other instructional practices The board also needs to monitor school improvement efforts The principals share their progress yearly at board meetings This analysis is completed through reports related to our achievement of all student groups/levels/grades and as compared to other districts District 95 is the proud recipient of two Blue Ribbons Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board The board has established the teaching and learning committee and it is focused on the continuous improvement of the educational programs offered throughout the district Additionally this committee reviews the efforts related to school improvement and associated data related to student achievement The board gets updates from this committee after each time it meets so the board is very informed as to all concerns coming out of the committee Each of our schools were given either exemplary or commendable summative designations by the Illinois State Board of Education Our teachers have worked tirelessly on each school's school improvement plan there is always room for improvement and I think we would all like to see math scores continue to improve How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular give a voice to constituents — even ones with whom you disagree mission and values drive how we conduct ourselves and how we expect the public to act Board policy dictates much of what we as a board can do to address most controversies including those regarding curriculum There are several board policies that expressly address dealing with issues with respect to curriculum controversies including “6:260 Complaints About Curriculum our role is to provide leadership even if it is unpopular there were many decisions that needed to be made where we had a very divided public I was committed to finding the greatest good for the district and to best serve the needs of our students so that we could fulfill our mission to empower every learner to achieve personal excellence Our district is committed to giving all of our stakeholders a voice at the table and we have student and community involvement in all of our initiatives Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage school district policy Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions for your school board Our board has been very effective in addressing policy matters We have a very effective policy committee where the issues are first vetted and come back to the board for first read At this point where there are concerns or controversies each board member is given ample opportunity to address there individual concerns and given an opportunity to advocate for change or other considerations but we have always come to a consensus eventually and all of the board members treat each other with respect despite having differing viewpoints on occasion All decisions are made with a “what is best for the district mindset” and that coupled with the inherent respect we have for one another What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs Our mission and our values are not going away The district prioritizes connectedness to align closely with its core equity value aiming to ensure that all students are supported Key initiatives align with the “Portrait of a Graduate,” including: — Effective Communication & Global Citizenship: expanding student engagement — Advocacy and Future Readiness: Enhancing student support services — Growth-Oriented Mindset: Promoting connectedness through meaningful learning experiences ongoing recruitment efforts prioritize a diverse workforce to reflect and support the broader learning community By strengthening partnerships and growing student supports the district is steadfast in its mission to empower every learner to achieve personal excellence in an inclusive learning environment What makes you the best candidate for the job I have been very focused on learning how I can be the best possible board member I have taken continuing education every year and have achieved the status of master/distinguished board member in 2018 and maintained it ever since I serve several key roles on the board including chairperson of the facilities and business operations committee and the teacher’s contract negotiating team Our board is excelling masterfully in these areas and we were honored with the prestigious green ribbon award for sustainability I am very mindful of my role as a fiduciary to the taxpayers District 95 has consistently received a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s We have one of the lowest tax rates in Lake County keeping our schools thriving while remaining fiscally responsible I have been an important part of our very high functioning board with a proven record of outstanding results What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet One element of our strategy is to explore and identify options for expanding nontraditional learning schedules and educational experiences I have spoken about meeting students where they are and thinking outside of the box Nontraditional learning schedules can contemplate offering certain classes or enhancements in evening hours or very early before school This could be another way to support students in some of our most difficult subjects i.e it would be valuable to conduct surveys of students families and staff to assess both the level of need and potential participations in such programs (like we do with most of our initiatives) This data would help determine whether offering these additional services would be beneficial and feasible one possibility could be extending math courses or other key subjects in the evening with certified instructors Lake Zurich Fire Department officials say fire late Sunday night that damaged a bar was likely sparked by an electrical issue in the basement Firefighters were alerted just after 10 p.m by police who were responding to a burglar alarm at Scoreboard Bar & Grill firefighters encountered a fire in the basement storage area and quickly extinguished it but a damage estimate was not immediately available Officials said the damage was limited to the inside of the building Day two of the Lake County boys volleyball Invite had a very simple premise for the eight teams that had advanced to Saturday's championship bracket That was to wake up early to make the trek to Grant High School in Fox Lake to play the first of what would be 3 matches needed to emerge as this year's champion And after North Suburban Conference members Stevenson and Lake Zurich both survived and advanced from their first two contests that featured each squad having persevered through a challenging three-game triumph they were prepared to take to the Benedetti Center main court for the final the Patriots proved they had a little bit more left in the tank as it swept the Bears 25-22 and 25-23 in a pair of hard fought games to take the championship plaque back to Lincolnshire "I'm really proud of these guys for hanging in there," Stevenson coach Eric Goolish said of his team going a perfect 5-0 over the two-day period They've been flexible on doing what we asked Our lineups (due to injury) have changed very often but they know we trust in them and believe in them and they know to be ready." All of which for Goolish and the Patriots (13-6) came into focus in the first game as it saw an early 12-3 lead go by the wayside as the Bears (12-2) slowly clawed their way back into the contest to pull to within 22-20 Six-foot-3 senior setter Dulguun Ankhbayar set up a pair of kills by his senior squadmate 6-5 OH Matthew Okladlo and fellow setter 6-2 junior Zolbayar Munkbhat to earn the win Game two would turn into a test of endurance for both teams as neither team could pull away Neither club would not get higher than a 3-point lead that included a 24-21 Patriot lead following a pair of Lake Zurich returns that went out of bounds LZ would not go away quietly as it scored a pair to close within 24-23 highlighted by a Wyatt Jones kill before an invalid serve by the Bears turned into match point leaving Munkbhat and his teammates both pleased and relieved "I feel so good (that) we got the championship Okladlo's 9 kills and a block led the way for the Patriots followed by 6-5 sophomore MH Jatin Murukuti's 7 kills and 3 blocks and Ankhbayar's 4 kills and 5 assists Six-7 senior MB Kuba Rytel's 6 kills led the way for Lake Zurich followed by senior teammate 6-4 hitter Gabe Schwartz's 5 kills as they went 4-1 for the weekend "To go into a tournament final 4-9 is nothing but a positive," Bears coach Brent Stuart said "Most all of them play on the same club teams A second cheerleading coach accused of stealing over $38,000 from Lake Zurich High School for her own personal use has surrendered to police and appeared in Lake County Court Thursday afternoon is charged with two Class 1 felony counts of theft and two Class 2 Felony counts of Money Laundering through the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office She was released from custody after appearing in First Appearance Court in front of Lake County Judge George Pappas Thursday because the charges are non-detainable under the Illinois SAFE-T Act She was ordered to avoid all contact with any Lake Zurich District 95 facility or with co-defendant and former Lake Zurich cheerleading coach Gabrielle N Dietrich is due back in court for status of attorney on April 17 An informational warrant was issued Friday for the arrest of Dietrich and Kelly on accusations of stealing more than $38,000 from Lake Zurich High School Lake Zurich police said Tuesday they were contacted in February by representatives from Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 regarding financial discrepancies discovered related to invoicing being conducted by District 95 high school cheerleading coaches Lake Zurich Police Deputy Chief Colin Gaffney said Tuesday The investigation determined Dietrich and Kelly unlawfully diverted over $38,000 of school district funds for personal use Kelley Gallt said the Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 Business Department discovered accounting irregularities last year in invoicing by coaches of a District 95 high school athletic team The statement also indicated the two women are no longer working or affiliated with Lake Zurich High School Kelly appeared in front of Lake County Circuit Court Judge Michael Nerheim Tuesday morning in First Appearance Court and was released from custody Kelly was released with a future court date of April 9 A second person accused of being involved in the theft of $38,000 from Lake Zurich Unit District 95 turned herself in Thursday of Crystal Lake is charged with two counts each of theft and money laundering She was granted pretrial release in first appearance court Thursday Lake Zurich police were contacted by the school district in February 2024 regarding financial discrepancies related to invoicing by Lake Zurich High School cheerleading coaches An investigation showed $38,000 of district funds had been unlawfully diverted for personal use Kelly turned herself in Tuesday and was granted pretrial release Neither coach was hired for the 2024-25 school year Anyone with information should contact Lake Zurich police Detective Sgt Office Sought: Lake Zurich Unit District 95 board (Vote for 4) Previous offices held: Lake Zurich District 95 school board since 2020; and past member I believe my professional experience as an attorney my experience as a member of the District 95 board since June 2020 over a decade's experience on a university board my short experience as a public-school teacher my unique cultural background and my life as a 30-year Lake Zurich resident have positioned me well to contribute to the board in a positive and unique way I hope to continue to be a strong voice for all stakeholders I would focus on: 1.) strong financial stewardship; 2.) academic excellence with an emphasis on math; and 3.) helping students meet the District 95 “Portrait of a Graduate” traits including to be prepared as global citizens in a changing world This includes an appreciation for environmental sustainability and being served by staff that will prepare students to enter diverse workplaces and communities As a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee and its Sustainability Committee I am proud that our progress has been recognized nationally in 2024 with two Blue Ribbons (2 of 16 in Illinois) and a Green Ribbon for Environmental Sustainability (1 of 10 districts in the U.S.) I believe that the school board can be the high-level voice of the community in commenting on curriculum choices The school board is ideally not best suited to get into the details of what physics tests should be given But the board should monitor and provide guidance to the administration to make sure that the curriculum represents the best and most current scholarship and tools that the district can afford The board can also ensure that the process for setting the curriculum considers the voices of all stakeholders: teachers if the school is not achieving the academic goals set by the board then the board should question whether the curriculum plays a role in that outcome I have been particularly focused on math in the district particularly in middle school and high school Our English Language Arts results are exceptional Many parents continue to pay for math tutors from middle school and through high school This presents equity issues since those with less financial means are unable to hire tutors I think we should provide additional support to targeted students and to teachers where necessary so that we are able to raise academic achievement in math for all students I also believe we should not be a follower in technology District 95 is trying to prioritize the beneficial use of AI while providing students guardrails to use the tools ethically and with proper attribution which will provide a foundation for beneficial use of these tools for years to come and we should continue to prioritize our efforts in that area I see my role on the board in confronting policy or curriculum controversies by working to incorporate a bit of all three items noted in the question as an attorney and as a model to my own children I stress that following the law is generally not optional then we comply but seek change through elections or petitions for variances then I try to be a voice to all stakeholders being able to provide summer school so that students are not disadvantaged because they cannot afford to attend Or focusing on environmental sustainability even if some believe it is not an urgent issue of concern I am aware that some constituents may not see the world the way I do I truly believe that I should represent all of our constituents I often seek ways to have the voice of key stakeholders heard while finding compromises that respectfully consider the views of those that do not agree with me I believe my answer to the question above provides some framework for answering this question also I first try to understand what the aim of the policy is my experience in my professional work setting suggest that most people do have noble intent and so I assume noble intent By that I mean they want what they perceive to be the best for the students bring our cultural experiences and our professional training to an issue I try to understand the purpose of the policy and I try to find a way that addresses the aim of the policy while incorporating diverse viewpoints I genuinely believe that when different team members bring their unique insights to an issue such varied inputs will yield a better result Sometimes my view may not be the majority and so I learn to accept that and hope they see the light next time My answer to that question is more fraught now than it was six months ago We are well served by serving our students well I think we should prepare our students to face the world they will be living in for the next 50 years I think as we seek to find excellent staff we should cast a wide net because excellence can be found in a wide variety of places is that they have opportunities to learn from teachers with diverse backgrounds and that their knowledge and skills will be enhanced and they will be able to empathize and be equipped to serve in the very diverse work environments that they will be entering when they embark on their working lives and for decades afterward This is a unique time for our school district and I believe that my professional experience as an attorney; my experience on the boards of educational institutions including District 95 and a university board; my experience as a public schoolteacher for a short while; my 30-plus years as a Lake Zurich resident and my support for ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard at the school board make me a compelling candidate for reelection to the school board My parents’ education did not go further than fifth grade and I was the only one of my mother’s nine children to attain a four-year college degree I know what it feels like to be underprivileged and I strongly believe that my unique cultural and professional experience would continue to be a needed voice on the school board I think my contributions on the school board since 2020 has been beneficial I would continue to champion financial stewardship I believe that my voice is not only unique but is a needed voice on the District 95 school board I am not certain that no one is talking about it but I would like us to evaluate investing more intently in multimedia tools and consider even a high school TV station That would help us better train students interested in these areas and to produce useful content for the school and district community Students can thus learn skills in that area that can be beneficial for years to come There are other school districts nearby with similar tools and programs and we can learn from them as we implement ours at Lake Zurich District 95 Operations at the Illinois Secretary of State facility in Lake Zurich are being expanded to create a one-stop shop design featuring new services and expected shorter wait times Rand Road will be temporarily closed until Wednesday for its conversion into the Chicago area’s second DMV+ facility “We're dedicated to modernizing Illinois DMVs with the ultimate goal of making them more efficient for customers and reducing the amount of time it takes to obtain services,” Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said in a statement a confusing design with separate driver and vehicle services will be changed so customers can get a license and sticker at one counter rather than waiting at separate spots for assistance customers will be able to renew a driver’s license or state ID; apply for a REAL ID; register or renew vehicle registration and get vehicle stickers; convert a temporary driver’s license to a standard one; order a new license plate; register to vote; and join the Illinois Organ and Tissue Donor Registry The changes are expected to free space for more customer service stations and appointments The first DMV+ opened in mid-August in Melrose Park providing services that never had been accessible at a DMV location They include specialized services from the business index and personnel departments of the secretary of state's office that otherwise require an in-person visit to downtown Chicago or Springfield Among them are obtaining certified copies of business records and filing documents such as articles of incorporation and trademarks a hub of public-use computers will be available for those with limited access or need assistance to submit job applications a temporary office is open at Kemper Lakes Business Center Lake Zurich was chosen as the second DMV+ because of its geographical convenience for customers capacity to offer additional services and strategic location that will enable customers to avoid a trip downtown Plans regarding the number and locations of future DMV+ locations are being developed handling stormwater and other aspects of what would be Lake Zurich’s largest rental community with adjustments village officials may be open to a residential use on the Regal cinema property described as a high-end rental community with 282 apartments in eight 3-story buildings are able to or willing to make those changes and proceed to a formal review process is to be determined I think it’s a lot of units for a tight space,” village Trustee Marc Spacone said Monday during a nonvoting courtesy review of the project A consensus of trustees agreed with some saying high-density residential wasn’t the best use in that location it was noted due to a changing marketplace a plan for traditional retail or a broader mix of uses may not materialize when the property is sold “I don’t know what the answer to that property is,” said Mayor Tom Poynton “It’s going to get developed one way or another.” Whether the proposal can be scaled down or otherwise adjusted enough to win over a majority of the board remains to be seen “I’m not opposed to the concept,” Spacone said “I just think there’s some significant details that really need to be worked out there to make sure that it’s going to be manageable in terms of the traffic flow and the density.” A clearer picture is expected after staff this week meets with developers to discuss comments received during the courtesy review MJK Real Estate Holding company would build a fast food restaurant on an outlot with the June Terrace rental community occupying most of the remaining property Rand Road is referred to as the Regal property The theater would require significant investment to modernize and has been for sale vice president of acquisitions for Continental He said the project represents an $80 million investment and would revitalize the area “As far as we know there are several suitors,” for the Regal property “We have an exclusive agreement to purchase the property.” A privately-owned national real estate developer based in Menonomee Falls is working on or has approvals for projects in several suburbs including Crystal Lake Representatives from both firms presented concepts to the village board He said an extensive retail project on the Regal site isn't feasible due to a change in shopping habits Hahn said the project would expand limited housing options for empty-nesters and young professionals “We are reasonably confident that they will proceed with a formal submission for the development,” said Michael Duebner Lake Zurich won its own invite on Saturday but it would take a dramatic ending to its first game of the day to all but secure the big trophy The Bears (6-0-2) would defeat Glenbrook North in penalty kicks (4-2) in its early morning contest before closing out its opponents for good with a 2-0 victory over Lakes Community to go 3-0 overall over the two days of play Reilly Novak and Emily Bowen scored in the Lakes contest "We played really well on both sides of the ball in the first half but Glenbrook North had most of the play in the second half (which) forced us to defend way more than we wanted to," said Bears keeper Erin Bohn whose shootout heroics was the difference in a 1-0 triumph "I can always count on my backline to be there for me and in the second half they really came through with some great defending," continued Bohn who will play in the fall at Northeastern University in Massachusetts where she will pursue a degree in civil engineering Sam Tritsch and Izzy Wright were airtight when called upon as the Spartans (4-1-2) would enjoy most of the play and possession after a 0-0 score at the break The attack from the homeside in the first half was led by Zoey Change Cammy Niepomnik and Ellie Wise — who put plenty of pressure on the Spartans — but was unable to find the back of the net It was a brave save from Bohn in round four that allowed Korovilas to finish off the victory Chang would hit the game-winner on Friday in the Bears’ 1-0 win over Hersey "We lost a lot of very good players from last year’s team who bring a lot of experience who have helped our younger players early on," said Bohn By virtue of its 1-0 win today over Hersey Lakes Community would finish third overall The Huskies (3-5-1) would end a grueling six games in five days at 2-4-0 with its two victories coming over Palatine in league play and a 6-0 victory against Sandburg in its Plainfield Classic tournament opener on Friday Junior Gracie Lisota scored three in that win while Ellie Molster claimed her first varsity goal of her career also Stevenson would turn in a valiant 80-minute effort in its tournament opener Saturday in Northfield against reigning 3A state champion but the Patriots suffered their first loss of the season to New Trier The Trevians (10-0-1) remain undefeated and unscored upon after its 1-0 win at Robert Naughton Field in the opener of the seventh annual Malnati's Deep Dish Classic Senior Honor Dold gave the Trevians the lead for good in the 44th minute when she finished near the spot after Patriots keeper Reese Yoo made a magnificent save on a blistering free kick from the all-state sophomore Addy Randall "(It) was a game that we expected," said junior Grace Harper who along with her backline teammates Anabelle Egeland and Kelsey Krull kept a rampant Trevians attack from finding their way through and into the back of their net "(New Trier) is always going to play physical soccer constantly challenging every 50-50 and second ball but I feel like we matched their intensity all day long," added Harper "I was real proud of the way we handled their pressure There was a lot of fight in the way we played today and a game like this will prepare us for the rest of the season as well," said Krull The Patriots (4-1-1) will continue group play on Monday in Wilmette against Loyola Academy (4-2-2) at 5 p.m while the Trevians host Libertyville (5-0-1) who drew 0-0 with Lane Tech in its tournament opener Naperville North (4-1-2) began play in the Malnati's in style with a 2-0 win over host Evanston (4-1-2) on Saturday Emily Buescher and Lily Radek led the way in the attack Another defensive gem in front of keeper Olivia Ochsner led to her claiming her fifth shutout of the season The Huskies lost to Evanston a year ago in the final here Next up is Lake Forest (2-2-0) who lost 2-0 to Lyons Township Warren (4-1-1) stunned 2A state power Boylan with four second half goals to erase a 2-1 deficit at the break en route to a 5-3 victory in its opening contest of the BodyArmor Soccer Invite at the Waukegan Sports Park Senior Addison Stanciak continues her climb to the top of the Blue Devils’ all-time scoring records with two goals to give her nine on the season Kate Mondejar and Gwen Zajac would all find the back of the net in the second half the Blue Devils defeated Grayslake Central 8-1 is Wheaton Warrenville South (5-0-1) on Monday A project to stop erosion from taking more backyard property along the north branch of Buffalo Creek in Lake Zurich has been recognized with an environmental award by the American Public Works Association Addressing the issue south of Bristol Trails Park was identified long ago It took two years to secure approvals from the Army Corps of Engineers and Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Construction by Integrated Lakes Management of Waukegan began last spring and was substantially completed in December “The streambank has suffered severe bank erosion from significant rainfall events,” said Kyle Kordell the village's management services director Timber retaining walls were collapsing and residents stood to lose more of their backyards if the banks weren't stabilized Lake Zurich invested $518,000 on what is described as a green infrastructure improvement to reinforce about 1,400 feet of streambank The work included protective armoring and gabion retaining walls — wire cages filled with rocks and other materials to create a sturdy structure to stabilize the slope and prevent erosion The project is intended to improve stormwater drainage and reduce flood risk to homes nearby Native prairie plants with deep root systems will improve filtration and provide wildlife habitat Kordell said that because of the emphasis on preplanning the village likely will secure a $494,000 state grant covering the majority of project design and construction costs Public Works Director Mike Brown said the project has been a long time coming “With the village's finances improving and the village board prioritizing investments in local infrastructure we were finally able to bring this project to fruition,” he said By addressing the long-standing erosion issues the village is preserving property and safeguarding the future of the village's neighborhoods and natural beauty The Lake Zurich project was recognized in the environment category for projects under $5 million by the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter • Transportation — $5 million to $25 million: Forest Park boardwalk and bluff restoration • Structures — $5 million to $25 million: North Chicago water treatment plant renovations Buffalo Grove Leider facility adaptive reuse • Environment — $5 million to $25 million: North Chicago 16th Street and Kemble Avenue transmission main • Disaster/emergency — Less than $5 million: Riverwoods emergency water main improvements in collaboration with the Streetz Artz Alliance will host its first Be Mine Bazaar at their Lake Zurich location family-friendly event offers a curated mix of handmade goods delicious treats and one-of-a-kind finds from talented local artists and makers inside the brewery with Mamma Mia Pizza serving up freshly baked pizzas during the event and live music planned to start at 5 p,m The brewery has a plethora of beer styles to imbibe while enjoying this sip and shop event and many of the artists are adding a Valentine’s flair to the items they are selling "There are many Streetz Artz Alliance favorites in the artist list for this event head of the Streetz Artz Alliance and co-curator for this event Brianne Adelman is co-hosting with Streetz and handles much of the social media promotion Explore the whimsical and dreamy world of The Daydreamers Shop delicate trinket trays and uniquely scented candles transport you to a world of serenity and beauty Masterclass Savory Sweet Foods brings mouthwatering 6-ounce cookies and gourmet candied pecans that are sure to satisfy every craving Jewelry enthusiasts will fall in love with Opal Dream Jewels where handcrafted stainless steel pieces incorporate upcycled beads BlackCraft Arts offers a bold and colorful selection of glass eyeball necklaces If you’re searching for artistic treasures prints and stickers influenced by pop culture and contemporary design Glassbound Gardens preserves delicate butterflies and beetles in elegant glass jars and domes showcasing the intricate wonders of the natural world For those who appreciate handcrafted home décor charcuterie trays and whiskey cigar flights Maker Mouse Designs offers a wide range of personalized wood and glass creations The market also caters to unique fashion statements with Dye The Day Away offering vibrant tie-dyed apparel and Leather Art by Decker presenting one-of-a-kind hand-painted purses MyKookieJar adds a playful touch with fabric-covered button earrings and accessories in an array of fun and colorful designs Pet lovers will find something special for their furry companions at A Diamond in the Ruff while Bosco’s All Natural Dog and Cat Treats provides wholesome Gigawatt Coffee Roasters invites you to experience the rich aroma and smooth taste of their air-roasted coffee while FeFe’s Pickles and Peppers offers homemade pickles where you’ll find uniquely crafted baked goods like Cake Tacos several vendors at the market are dedicated to giving back Grandma Dan’s Cookies supports local food banks ensuring families in need receive assistance Bosco’s All Natural Dog and Cat Treats contributes to CFVC for Veterans helping provide essential care and training for service animals DDorsey Originals supports Informed Choices while MyKookieJar donates to Stop AAPI Hate None of This is Cake pledges $10 to the Alzheimer’s Association for every BUTTERfly suncatcher sold and Wanna Pickle Gourmet Foods backs Wanna Help Charities in their community projects DK Custom Woodwork extends its generosity across multiple charitable causes and Opal Dream Jewels has supported Goodwill’s mission of sustainability and job creation Masterclass Savory Sweet Foods donates to St aiding pediatric care and groundbreaking research For more information and a full list of artists in this event, visit facebook.com/events/628227482994182 Previous offices held: District 95 board member since January 2012 The work I have done as part of the school board for the past 13-plus years has helped lead the district to achieve many accomplishments and I am excited to utilize my skills and experience to participate in continuing work toward the district’s mission to empower every learner to achieve personal excellence District 95 has enjoyed many successes over the past several years Middle School North and Lake Zurich High School were recognized with the national Blue Ribbon Award The entire district is one of 10 nationwide to receive the national Green Ribbon Award The district also received a “Great Place to Work” distinction last year staff and families is evidenced with these awards as well as the Illinois School Report Card in which all eight schools are rated exemplary or commendable with improvements in standardized testing scores across the board and a decrease in chronic absenteeism The school board’s role is to set policy to guide curriculum Regular curriculum reports are made to the board and any proposed curriculum changes are presented for board approval Representatives from each grade level and each building gather as part of the curriculum committee for a specific subject These groups ensure the current curriculum meets the state and national standards and aligns with the district’s instruction model Illinois offers school districts local control so the curriculum is also evaluated to ensure it is in line with the district’s mission vision and values as well as compliance with current district policy The Department of Curriculum and Instruction has established a cycle of review for all subjects taught in the district Traditionally the cycle is no longer than five years These reviews ensure compliance with standards This process and professional development coupled with the hard work of staff and students is effective evidenced by all eight schools being rated as exemplary or commendable The role of the board is to ensure consistent delivery of quality curriculum throughout the district I am not aware of any curriculum issues that need particular attention from the board I have served as one of two board member representatives to the Policy Committee since 2012 The Policy Committee also includes representatives from the administration There are set procedures in place to report and evaluate a policy and/or curriculum controversy If the issue is not resolved at the school or administration level the issue will be brought to the school board for discussion seek perspective from others and review solutions in light of national and state requirements as well as the district mission The District 95 school board has a history of frank and open discussion The board will arrive at a majority decision and all members of the board will support that decision — even though the board is made up of seven people I have had the pleasure of serving as one of the two board member representatives to the Policy Committee since 2012 The district utilizes a service available to school boards throughout the state of Illinois to provide guidance on policy wording and additions needed to reflect changes in school law at the state and national level Each suggestion is discussed by the Policy Committee to ensure it agrees with the district’s mission vision and values and legal opinion is requested as necessary I ensure my questions and comments reflect not only my personal views but those of my constituents The Policy Committee prepares a list of proposed policy changes to present to the board at a public meeting where they are discussed Questions are answered and clarification provided The board does not vote to approve a policy change until the next board meeting and the vote will be deferred if additional information or discussion is needed Meeting each student’s needs has led to more diversity in the hiring of staff The district has several bilingual classrooms in addition to English Language teachers fluent in Spanish Schools nationwide have been impacted by the teacher shortage the recruiting team has expanded the colleges universities and job fairs they attend to “cast a wider net” to ensure open positions are filled with qualified candidates These actions have increased the number of applications received for open positions thereby increasing the diversity of the hiring pool and new staff members The current strategic plan calls for the human resource department to “Attract and hire high quality and diverse teaching administrative and support staff.” The values of the district include “equity,” a value that is included in every action plan I believe the district is taking appropriate steps to toward diversity and equity and I support these efforts I believe I am the best candidate for the job as a school board member because of my experience and dedication to serve everyone who lives in District 95 I have found this role both challenging and educational I have learned how to best bring my talents to the table and how to ask the right questions to learn more I bring my finance background and have learned so much about education through the work I have done I also make an effort to be present at district events to see firsthand our community in action I am one of two board members on the Policy I serve as the board representative on the Handbook/Behavior Policy and Health and Wellness Committees One of the signers on my petition summed it up best I gladly sign your petition because I fully believe that you serve and make decisions 100% with the best interest of the students in your heart.” I firmly believe District 95 is a great district The district has begun efforts to provide a pathway for students at Lake Zurich High School to graduate and pursue a future that does not necessarily involve attending a four-year university The district’s current strong financial position allows for the investment in renovations and improvements to facilitate multifaceted courses allowing for the exploration of multiple college and career ready pathways I believe the acceptance and support for other pathways need to grow beyond the high school building need to expand their acceptance and support of additional pathways such as attending trade schools and community colleges or entry directly into the workforce as the best path for some students 2025 at 9:41 am CDTExpandManus Dental Lake Zurich - Spring into a Healthier Smile with Manus Dental Lake Zurich As the seasons change and we welcome the fresh start that spring brings it’s a great time to focus on more than just cleaning out closets or reorganizing your garage This season of renewal is also the perfect opportunity to refresh your oral health habits and take a closer look at your smile A spring refresh isn’t just for your home—it’s also for your daily routines These small but important habits are the foundation of a healthy mouth and can help prevent cavities now is the perfect time to get back on track Brushing and flossing consistently help remove plaque and protect your teeth and gums from long-term damage Building strong habits now sets you up for a healthier smile all year long Scheduling a professional dental cleaning is another important step this spring our expert team will remove tartar buildup These visits do more than just make your teeth look good—they help us catch any issues early before they become more serious or costly to treat And if it’s been a while since your last visit don’t worry—spring is the season for new beginnings knowledgeable team at Manus Dental Lake Zurich is here to make your dental care easy and stress-free Let this spring be the time you prioritize your oral health Call Manus Dental Lake Zurich today to schedule your next appointment and start the season with a brighter manusdental.com Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network The potential for the federal government to follow through on threats to diversity equity and inclusion programs as well as their funding is a topic all seven candidates for the Lake Zurich Unit District 95 board of education feel passionate about Vying for the four available seats in the April 1 election are incumbents Peter Etienne During a joint interview with the Daily Herald Kutsor spoke of the needs of the growing number of English learners in the district and the value of such programs as Joanie’s Closet in improving the educational experience of students who lack necessary resources “I think we need to remain student-centered with our students driving everything that we do,” she said So all decisions need to be based on our mission which is to empower all students to achieve educational excellence.” Etienne said the district counts cultural competence and equity among its values and must continue to serve every learner “We have to prepare our students to work and thrive in an increasingly diverse country and district,” he said “I think personally that my experience will help the district navigate this environment that we’re in in case the federal government takes the steps that we’ve heard about.” Fellow incumbent Maloney said federal changes shouldn’t affect the philosophy of the district “Our mission is to empower every learner to achieve personal excellence with the emphasis on every learner,” she said The federal government doesn’t have any impact on that noting more than 30 different household languages are spoken districtwide “Those were all created with a diverse group of community members,” she said “Having student voices has been very key in all of these processes And we have a diverse community here in Lake Zurich.” Miroballi said a community’s model regarding respect for all cultures should be a guide for students “I so truly believe that all people should be truly seen and I see how important it is for our school district to do that and that it has done that And I don’t think there’s any reason to ever change that.” a current trustee on the Ela Area Public Library board said she doesn’t believe in following the federal government’s new suggestion that DEI is a dirty word “So this is just really very important to me that people are seen that we take these types of threats seriously,” she added “That we realize that equity is the mission of public education Hutchinson questioned how anyone could be opposed to diversity noting the district’s own diversity figures And so this is a time that we need to do what is right rather than what is politically expedient.” March 11 in the performing arts center of Lake Zurich High School with the opportunity to view it both in person or online linked to numerous burglaries in the Chicago suburbs stole $180,000 in proceeds while distracting a homeowner and burglarizing his Lake Zurich home Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said a homeowner in Lake Zurich called 911 around 2:40 p.m The Lake Zurich Police Department responded and learned the homeowner answered a knock at his home’s door The 73-year-old homeowner reported a Hispanic male wearing a reflective vest and a mask was at the door The suspect informed the homeowner that he was contracted by the Village of Lake Zurich to clear trees and brush next to his house McConnell said the homeowner left his house and followed the suspect to see the supposed area needing to be cleared The suspect communicated via radio in another language during the interaction The suspect left after five minutes and claimed he had to go pick up his employees The homeowner returned to his home and found a safe in his home was missing The estimated value of the missing jewelry Surveillance video from a neighbor showed two suspects entering the victim’s home and exiting while loading something into a vehicle A bulletin was issued across the state to other law enforcement agencies about the incident Dixon and Bartlett responded to the bulletin or issued their own reporting similar circumstances McConnell said those all referenced a Ford Edge SUV which matched the Lake Zurich burglary suspect vehicle The North Regional Major Crimes Task Force arrested Lawrence Miller of Arlington Heights; and Christopher Nicholas Mason and Nicholas were inside the Ford Edge SUV The three were charged in connection with an April 11 burglary that occurred at an elderly couple’s residence in Naperville where the suspects used a contaminated water ruse to gain entry to the home and steal $6,000 in jewelry The victim in the Lake Zurich burglary identified Miller as the suspect who he believed lured him outside his home “The defendant lured [the victim] out of his home while his two co-defendants entered the home and took several belongings,” McConnell said “He knew someone was home yet he still burglarized the home This defendant had no concern for the safety of his victims and has done this similar act in several towns around Lake County,” she added Miller was charged in Lake County in February 2024 with one count of residential burglary and one count of theft over $100,000 Court records do not indicate that Mason or Nicholas have been charged in the Lake Zurich burglary Miller has a prior criminal history of committing residential burglaries in Illinois Court records show Miller was released from a three-year and six-month sentence in prison for the 2023 Naperville burglary in October 2024 Miller was taken into the custody of the Lake County Jail on the warrant for the Lake Zurich case last month The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him pending trial and Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted the petition following a detention hearing Miller is scheduled to appear in court again on February 18 for an arraignment hearing A network of correspondents providing impartial news reports and analysis in 33 languages from locations around the world Up-to-the-minute news and analysis from around the world and in Chicago Hosted by WBEZ's Mary Dixon and NPR's Steve Inskeep Newshour is the award-winning flagship program of the BBC World Service the world’s largest news gathering operation 1A convenes a conversation about the most important issues of our time smart reflection on world news as it’s happening innovators and artists from around the globe with news from Chicago from WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz Reset digs into how the news has moved since you left the house discussing and unpacking the biggest stories and issues in Chicago and beyond right in 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The goal is no longer to triumph by weight CBC's Under the Influence is hosted by Terry O'Reilly A wrap up of the week's news and a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what's real and what we've made up It's Been a Minute features people in the culture who deserve your attention Plus weekly wraps of the news with journalists in the know Exploring the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world's greatest thinkers A radio journal of news and culture produced from a Latino perspective and offbeat features from Chicago and around the world with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior shape our choices and direct our relationships Your guide to examining how the media sausage is made Important ideas and practical advice: Code Switch features fearless and much-needed conversations about race—and Life Kit offers practical advice on things in life no one prepared you for Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX Reveal is public radio’s first one-hour radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting A weekly program presented by the New Yorker magazine’s editor killer beats and the edgiest new talent in storytelling come together for a weekly show that straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster Radiolab is known for its deep-dive journalism and innovative sound design Created in 2002 by former host Jad Abumrad the program began as an exploration of scientific inquiry Over the years it has evolved to become a platform for long-form journalism and storytelling Radiolab is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser Lake Zurich’s Kain Kretschmar (3) celebrates as the Bears defeat Warren Very few high school basketball players experience any success the first time out against Warren sophomore Jaxson Davis. Even fewer manage to defeat him, but that’s exactly what Lake Zurich junior Evan Peterson pulled off Wednesday in Gurnee Kain Kretschmar provided the points and the big moments in the final seconds of Lake Zurich’s 49-48 upset of No. 14 Warren 18-point first quarter and Peterson’s outstanding game were just as important in the win managed to slow down Davis and effectively run his team’s offense “Jaxson was averaging about four or five steals a game,” Bears coach Terry Coughlin said “To limit that was what kind of gave us a chance Peterson stressed that it was a team effort guarding Davis “Evan is such a dog on defense,” Coughlin said “And look how he handled the ball there against big-time competition He pulled the Bears within 48-47 on a jumper with 22 seconds left and made two free throws with 10 seconds remaining to give them the lead heavily-guarded three-point attempt before the buzzer but it rimmed out Lake Zurich led 25-19 at halftime and Warren didn’t lead until Davis’ blocked shot and fast-break layup with 50 seconds left “When you face a lot of pressure you have to rely on your teammates,” Peterson said “We had to run our sets and trust our stuff.” Braylon Walker added seven points and six rebounds The Blue Devils have been without senior Javerion Banks for most of the season and have played games without Walker and senior Jack Wolf Warren won the Proviso West Holiday Tournament but has lost its last two games “[Lake Zurich] deserved to win,” Warren coach Zack Ryan said We are in a little bit of a funk right now We are not connected in the way we have been the last year and a half “Sometimes you have to take some personal accountability for some things We are playing good teams and if you come out and you aren’t ready to go that’s what happens.” Lake Zurich opened eyes with an impressive run to the semifinals at York’s Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament and has also knocked off New Trier “This is a confidence booster,” Kretschmar said “It just shows that we can hang with the big guys.” Bolingbrook and Waukegan to close out the month Something is just missing now that we have to find Missing guys has been part of it but we haven’t defended the way we are capable of.” Jaxson Davis manages to get off a sorta shot. It doesn’t fall. Lake Zurich beats Warren 49-48 in Gurnee. pic.twitter.com/5bmer9YKMe Terms of Use • Privacy Notice • Cookie Policy • Terms of Sale An informational warrant has been issued for the arrest of a second cheerleading coach accused of stealing $38,000 from Lake Zurich High School for her personal use The warrant filed through Lake County Circuit Court on March 14 calls for the arrest of former head Lake Zurich cheerleading coach Kaylin Dietrich on two charges of theft and two counts of money laundering The arrest warrant was obtained by the Lake Zurich Police Department and involves the same incident that led to the arrest of former cheerleading coach Gabrielle N The Dietrich warrant was obtained at the same time as the warrant for Kelly Kelly turned herself in to authorities Tuesday Kelly appeared in front of Lake County Circuit Court Judge Michael Nerheim Tuesday morning in First Appearance Court and was released from custody because the charges are non-detainable under the Illinois SAFE-T Act An October 2020 post on X – formerly Twitter – from the “official account of LZHS Athletics” identifies Dietrich as the “new head cheerleading coach,” and features her picture “We are very proud to introduce our new Head Cheerleading Coach Kaylin Dietrich,” the post from the Official Account of LZHS Athletics reads on X “Kaylin brings a wealth of knowledge We are excited for the future of our Cheer Program To keep you informed about the latest news across Lake and McHenry counties as it happens.