Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. IndependentLightDark{"modes":[{"id":"light","name":"Light","value":"#ffffff"},{"id":"dark","name":"Dark","value":"#000000"}]}Menu{"children":"Menu"}Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in Dame Andrea Jenkyns was announced as Greater Lincolnshire mayor on Friday My time in Lincolnshire highlighted our country’s most serious problem: the disconnection that means solutions can’t be reached A couple emerged from their house and got into a very large car. For some reason, they were both carrying huge slices of chocolate cake teetering on tiny white plates. What one of them told me was laced with disdain. “They don’t normally turn out giving us leaflets,” she said, pointing at Matthews. “They don’t normally give two shits.” Even here, it seemed, rude and angry were the things to be. a few people talked of immigrants in Skegness being housed while military veterans slept on the streets It was an odd spectacle: flailing fury in an idyllic-looking environment in which she said it was time for an end to “soft-touch Britain” – kindness – and suggested that asylum seekers should be forced to live in tents The biggest part of this story was about Tory defeat and collapse. But Reform got close to twice Labour’s vote in North East Lincolnshire a local government area that includes Grimsby and Cleethorpes as the party took control of 10 councils and the Tories crashed there was the same sense of a realignment of the right being part of something even bigger A vocal chunk of Reform supporters – men in particular – is nothing if not familiar the return of capital punishment and all the other things that usually make it on to the average hard-right shopping list But in Lincolnshire I also spoke to newly converted Farage voters who spoke in much vaguer tentative terms about how they simply craved change which he said were brimming with a level of “anger despondency or misery about the state of Britain that doesn’t feel sustainable” and what has fundamentally caused that wave of negativity might be a lot simpler than some people would like to think People’s food-shop costs, council tax bills and dealings with HMRC highlight the fact that they are paying much more for far less – surely the dictionary definition of infuriating. The winter fuel allowance cut one of those rare political stories that just about everybody now mentions has cast the government – probably for keeps – as mean bureaucrats set on tilting the scales even further away from basic fairness And these distributional furies are the context for a lot of people’s complaints about immigration In the places where they will now be in charge even amid affluence: hollowed-out local services a chronic lack of social housing and a shortage of work more fulfilling than driving delivery vans or making up the parcels that are piled into them To point that out is not to overlook the politics of culture and identity but still: if mainstream politicians finally began to act on those issues maybe they would begin to be less loathed and mistrusted Dame Andrea Jenkyns has doubled down on Farage’s pledge to sack diversity officers in Lincolnshire but the county council has revealed it does not employ any I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Andrea Jenkyns’ vow to get rid of council diversity officers as one of her first acts as the new Reform mayor for Lincolnshire has fallen flat after it emerged that the county council doesn’t employ any They doubled down on the promise at a rally in Kent last night where Ms Jenkyns and Mr Farage were among a line of leading speakers as part of Reform’s “war on woke” Ms Jenkyns said: “We are going to have a Lincolnshire Doge We are going to ensure that we get rid of diversity officers because amazingly Lincolnshire County Council is now Reform controlled The Independent has seen a freedom of information answer from Lincolnshire County Council stating: “Lincolnshire County Council does not employ any diversity The council had been asked how many DEI officers it employed and what their salaries were The answer was issued in March just before the local election campaign began in the county But in response, Ms Jenkyns told The Independent that another one of the three councils under her remit as the combined authority in the county She said: “I have been told by their employees that the leadership pressure staff to wear rainbow lanyards too Ms Jenkyns claimed that the county council “has all the awful [DEI] training though” Sharing documents on the breakdown of a £15,190 cost for diversity training between 2021 and 2023 she added: “Not a lot but still can save a bit of money.” There were also no diversity officers in Northamptonshire where Reform has swept to power who still feel bruised after losing badly in Lincolnshire and elsewhere linked the failure to know there were no DEI officers in the county with claims they made that Ms Jenkyns lives in Leeds A Tory source said: “Someone who lives in Lincolnshire would know that there aren’t any DEI roles going in Lincolnshire Council “Catchy slogans aren’t always the answer to complex problems It the latest proof that Reform is a one-man band without the answers needed to tackle the problems facing hardworking families across Britain.” The revelations in The Independent spilled over into the Sunday morning broadcast round Reform chairman Zia Yusuf also claimed DEI officers are being hidden under different titles on Laura Kuenssbeg’s show on the BBC they do not currently have somebody with the job title 'DEI officer' (but) they do spend considerable money on DEI (diversity "And they have other people who have basically that same job partly in response to the fact that they've been inundated by think tanks and activists putting in FOIs (freedom of information requests)," He said Reform would send "teams" into councils adding: "We'll be opening up application shortly if you've got experience in fixing potholes We're now going to have access to the contract union officials have issued warnings about the plans by Reform to sack DEI and net zero officers in most of the other councils they took control of DEI employees exist in Kent, Durham, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “This is not the US Thankfully workers in the UK have laws to protect them from bad employers And soon employees will get even more protection from unscrupulous bosses when the government’s new employment rights come in “Reform has consistently voted against these new measures that will make work more secure So much for being on the side of ordinary working people “Rather than attacking hard-working council staff Mr Farage should be focusing on his own job representing the people of Clacton But judging by his voting and speaking record in the House of Commons he’d clearly rather be making big bucks elsewhere.” She added: “Unions are there to ensure no one can play fast and loose with the law Any staff working for councils now controlled by Reform should sign up so they can be protected too “Nigel Farage and his party's new councillors have much to learn about local government They’ll quickly discover there's nothing left to cut and many authorities are balancing on the edge of the financial precipice.” Ms McAnea was responding to Mr Farage telling DEI officers or those working on climate change via Sky News: “I think you all better really be seeking alternative careers, very, very quick.” Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies govt and politics"},{"score":0.779675,"label":"/law govt and politics/politics"},{"score":0.752423,"label":"/society/work"},{"score":0.655245,"label":"/law govt and politics/politics/elections/local elections"},{"score":0.632763,"label":"/law Reform UK mayoral candidate Andrea Jenkyns has been condemned for rejecting climate science and promising Trump-style budget cuts despite standing in a high climate risk area Jenkyns – who sits on the board of Net Zero Watch an anti-climate campaign group – has claimed that carbon dioxide “is not pollution” and has dubbed clean energy policies “bureaucratic nonsense” which should be scrapped Jenkyns has campaigned heavily on a platform to stop pylons and solar farms from being built in Lincolnshire – both crucial components of the renewable energy transition “Lincolnshire is on the front line of the climate crisis in the UK,” said Carys Boughton “We desperately need more politicians who understand that rising emissions are driving extreme weather in our coastal towns “We need politicians to take action to protect our future Jenkyns and Reform won’t act in our interests Their climate denialism and senselessly anti-green policies are fuelled by donations from the fossil fuel industry and will only intensify the harm caused to residents and businesses.” Stay up to date with DeSmog news and alerts Reform advocates for clean energy policies to be scrapped, including cancelling the UK’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Its senior figures, including Farage and his deputy Richard Tice have repeatedly questioned basic climate science with £100,000 already pledged and more promised Polling by More in Common last year found that 65 percent of the public are worried about climate change including a majority (61 percent) of Conservative voters and nearly half (44 percent) of Reform voters while 88 percent support renewable energy projects in the area According to XDI Systems Lincolnshire is the most at risk county in England to built environment damage caused by extreme weather and climate change Lincolnshire also came 12th in its ranking of at-risk areas in Europe and along with Greater London features in the top 10 percent of climate risk areas globally As DeSmog has reported Tice’s constituency of Boston and Skegness in Lincolnshire has the highest risk of flooding in England according to a Climate Risk Index published by insurance giant AXA A Local Climate Impacts Profile produced by Lincoln Council in 2021 found that 16,450 properties in Lincolnshire were at “high and that 16 extreme weather events occurred in the county between 2010 and 2020 Despite this, Farage has claimed that local councils waste money on climate policies, and has vowed to cut these areas of spending in the style of Musk’s sweeping cuts in the United States Andrea Jenkyns has also repeatedly attacked green policies and cast doubt on climate science In a 2023 piece for GB News Jenkyns wrote: “Carbon dioxide is not pollution; it is a naturally occurring trace gas essential to life on Earth It is only one of many factors that might have an impact on the climate.” The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s top climate science body, has stated that carbon dioxide “is responsible for most of global warming” since the late 19th century and has increased the “severity and frequency of weather and climate extremes Climate scientists working for the IPCC have also said that “it is a statement of fact we cannot be any more certain; it is unequivocal and indisputable that humans are warming the planet” Jenkyns added in her piece that “many leading scientists” have “cast informed doubt on the concept of a ‘climate crisis’.” In a speech Jenkyns gave at Reform’s East Midlands conference in January she said: “I say no to [Energy Secretary] Ed Miliband bankrupting Britain with his net zero madness” and “I say no to Lincolnshire being a dumping ground for pylons” A month later, at Reform’s annual conference, she asserted that “net zero has become a religion” for Labour and the Conservatives adding: “I say yes to ditching net zero full stop.” The sole responsibility for any content supported by the European Media and Information Fund lies with the author(s) and it may not necessarily reflect the positions of the EMIF and the Fund Partners the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the European University Institute Even as the mood at Edmonton’s annual expo turned cautious industry still bet on public dollars to keep its net zero dream alive private equity firm KKR contributed to the president’s swearing-in ceremony Despite widespread public support for clean energy and climate action Nigel Farage’s party is running on an aggressively anti-net zero ticket Newsletter Website by SeriousOtters Subscribe Donate Rain showers this evening with mostly cloudy conditions overnight right and party leader Nigel Farage talk to the media after the party won the seat in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election at DCBL Halton Stadium arrive at the DCBL Halton Stadium ahead of the result of the Runcorn and Helsby by-election at DCBL Halton Stadium for the Greater Lincolnshire Mayor election for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election that was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage speaks during a campaign event at Stafford Showground whilst campaigning for this week's local elections Reform UK's Greater Lincolnshire mayoral candidate Dame Andrea Jenkyns Reform U.K.'s Greater Lincolnshire mayoral candidate Dame Andrea Jenkyns gestures during the count at Grimsby Town Hall for the Mayor of West of England Combined Authority Reform U.K.'s Greater Lincolnshire mayoral candidate Dame Andrea Jenkyns looks on during the count at Grimsby Town Hall The hard-right party Reform UK led by Nigel Farage has won a seat in Parliament by a handful of votes Reform’s Sarah Pochin was declared winner in the seat of Runcorn and Helsby Friday by six votes after a recount Many areas of England had local elections Thursday The vote was a test of feelings about Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s center-left Labour government 10 months after it was elected in a landslide Both Labour and the main opposition Conservative Party were bracing for losses Most results are due Friday in elections for some 1,600 seats on 23 local councils and six mayoralties LONDON (AP) — The hard-right party Reform UK led by Nigel Farage won a seat in Parliament by a handful of votes and looked set to make more gains in results Friday from local elections the party hopes will show it is a major player in British politics Reform's Sarah Pochin was declared winner of the seat of Runcorn and Helsby in northwest England by six votes after a recount Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content rewritten or redistributed without permission Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Have the latest food and drink articles delivered to your inbox every Thursday Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates Sign up today to receive email newsletters of local daily obituaries Get the Register Star and Daily Mail E-edition delivered directly to your inbox Have the latest local news delivered every morning so you don't miss out on updates Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Voters in the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District will decide April 1 whether the district can borrow $25 million to build a new fire station and strengthen emergency services the funding would support construction of a modern fire station designed to improve response times enhance firefighter safety and meet the growing needs of the district’s 19,233 residents The money will cover the costs of land development Emergency calls in the district rose 23% from 2020 to 2024 according the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association The district serves a 16-square-mile area that includes the majority of Lincolnshire and Riverwoods Prairie View and unincorporated areas of Lake County Fire Chief Tom Krueger has been hosting informational talks with groups of residents to explain why the upgrades are needed “We want to make sure that our residents … know what we are doing to make an educated vote for themselves,” he said said the last time officials sought a tax increase by referendum was in 1998 the district is requesting a 20-year bond instead of a tax-rate hike The owner of a home valued at $600,000 can expect an increase of about $232 annually, or about $19 more per month, if the ballot measure is approved. For a more detailed tax estimator, visit https://www.lrfpd.org/MinutesMatter/ The district now operates three fire stations: Woodlands Parkway in Vernon Hills; its headquarters on Schelter Road in Lincolnshire; and Saunders Road in Riverwoods The Schelter and Saunders stations have reached or are nearing the end of their useful lives (30 years) and need to be rebuilt or remodeled to meet current codes and accommodate a diverse workforce Those stations were designed for an all-male workforce without proper bathroom and bunking accommodations for women The district now employs three women among its 48 firefighter/paramedics The Schelter and Saunders stations’ locations also are not optimal to best respond to emergencies Upgrading them to meet modern safety and operational standards would cost between $27 million and $40 million the two fire stations would be consolidated into one building at 3750 Deerfield Road in Riverwoods “We are essentially building two fire stations into one,” Krueger said located within the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District boundaries is owned by the village of Riverwoods and would be vacated The district already has a potential buyer for the Schelter station While overall staffing will remain the same the crew size at the district’s Vernon Hills station will grow from two to five firefighter/paramedics on duty Votes are now being counted for Lincolnshire County Council and Greater Lincolnshire mayoral elections Lincolnshire residents had the chance to elect their county councillors This is done every four years and there are elections for all 70 councillors – each one representing a different area of Lincolnshire County councillors speak up for the people who live in their division and provide a vital link between their community and the council As well as being an advocate for local residents and signposting them to the right support and advice they keep people informed about the council issues that affect them Our councillors will often take queries from people in their area and raise them with council staff on their behalf This could be about fixing a footpath finding out about services for families Many councillors also take roles on the council’s committees where they help scrutinise the work of Lincolnshire County Council and other agencies and help set the policy and vision for the area Find out more about Lincolnshire County Council elections on 1 May. Find out more about the role of councillors. residents across Greater Lincolnshire (including North and North East Lincolnshire) were also able to vote for a Mayor on 1 May.  The Mayor will be an important role that will head up the new Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) This is a new ‘Strategic Authority’ which will be in charge of funding and decision-making for services that were previously managed by central government This includes the adult education budget for Greater Lincolnshire and investment to help grow the economy. The government has announced that every area of the country is expected to have a Strategic Authority in the coming years as part of devolution – the process of moving powers away from Westminster to local areas Find out more about the GLCCA elections. View our live results page which will be updated with the results of the Lincolnshire County Council elections For the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election result, please visit the Greater Lincolnshire CCA website All content © 2025 Lincolnshire County Council Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage talks to the media after Sarah Pochin won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election at DCBL Halton Stadium Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to members of staff during a visit to Leonardo one of the biggest suppliers of defence and security equipment to the UK MOD Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey serves up ice cream in the hot weather in Shrewsbury to thank voters following the local elections Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during a visit to The Big Club in Newton Aycliffe LONDON (AP) — The hard-right party Reform UK led by Nigel Farage snatched a seat in Parliament from the governing Labour Party and won hundreds of local council seats from the opposition Conservatives in elections that Farage hailed Friday as a turning point towards ending the two parties' political dominance defeating Labour candidate Karen Shore by the narrowest of margins It was a significant defeat for Labour, which easily won the district in last year's national election. The special election was held because Labour lawmaker Mike Amesbury was forced to quit after he was convicted of punching a constituent in a drunken rage very big moment indeed” that shows Reform can win against both Labour and the right-of-center opposition Conservatives “This marks the end of two-party politics as we’ve known it for over a century,” he said The Runcorn victory gives Reform, which garnered about 14% of the vote in the 2024 national election five of the 650 seats in the House of Commons compared to 403 for Labour and 121 for the Conservatives National polls now suggest its support equals or surpasses that of Labour and the Conservatives and it hopes to displace the Conservatives as the country’s main party on the right before the next national election The local elections held Thursday in many areas of England were a sobering rebuff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s center-left Labour government, 10 months after it was elected in a landslide Starmer said that he understood why many voters are discontented “I am determined that we will go further and faster on the change that people want to see.” The results were an even bigger blow to the Conservatives which didn't exist when these areas last voted four years ago won more than 600 seats in the elections for 1,600 seats on 23 local councils Reform won control of several county-level local authorities including previous Conservative strongholds Staffordshire and Lincolnshire in central England Durham in the north and Farage's home county of Kent in the southeast Farage told supporters that the Conservatives “are over they have literally been gutted in these counties.” was elected mayor of the Greater Lincolnshire region of east-central England and Reform also took the mayoralty of neighboring Hull Labour retained three other mayoralties and the Conservatives won one The victories will bring pressure for Reform to deliver on transport potholes and all the other unglamorous demands of everyday politics Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch who ejected the party from power last year The results give only a partial snapshot of voter sentiment Turnout for local polls is typically much lower than in a national election And Reform isn't the only story. The centrist Liberal Democrats made big gains in south and southwest England by winning more affluent socially liberal voters away from the Conservatives Reform UK is the latest in a series of parties led by Farage, a veteran populist politician who was crucial in taking Britain out of the European Union through a 2016 referendum He is a charismatic but divisive figure who has said that many migrants come to the U.K Reform blends Farage’s long-standing political themes — strong borders, curbing immigration — with policies reminiscent of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Farage said that he plans “a DOGE for every county” in England, inspired by Elon Musk’s contentious spending-slashing agency University of Strathclyde political scientist John Curtice said that the results showed that politics in Britain “Reform is now posing a big threat to both Conservative and Labour," he told the BBC As to whether two-party dominance will continue “the question mark on that has just got three or four times bigger,” Curtice said We're always interested in hearing about news in our community some laid out in the shape of a Lancaster Bomber has been unveiled at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln There are 617 handcrafted poppies on the Memorial Spire in honour of 617 Squadron (the Dambusters) It was created by Lithuanian artist Darius Sirmulevicius The installation will be on display until the end of August Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here ShareSaveCan you restore model steelworks hidden away for 30 years?The model is about 60 or 70 years old and had many moving parts, including a shunting locomotive. British Steel workers hopeful but cautious over plant's futureWorkers are optimistic the Scunthorpe plant can be saved but warn they have been "let down before". Red Arrows stun crowds during Rome flypastThe planes joined Italy's Frecce Tricolori during a state visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla. Giant Easter bunnies hop into townThe trail featuring "larger-than-life" bunnies decorated by local school children runs until 28 April. Spring tide swamps seaside fairgroundThe rides, which sit in front of the seawall at North Promenade, were flooded on Sunday evening. Freddie's feline the love from his supermarket fansThe cat is a regular fixture in the Skegness store, and he has picked up fans around the world. Man says lay-by hockey is key to wellbeingPaul Hinson started roller skating in a lay-by in Baston, near Market Deeping, 30 years ago. 'We met over a garden wall and have been together 65 years'Love is in the air in Lincoln as couples reveal how they met and what keeps them together. TV star swaps comedy for Christmas carolComedian and classical singer Lloyd Griffith has given a special performance at Lincoln Cathedral. 'Scary' near-miss with tree during Storm DarraghA driver captured a close call with a falling tree as Storm Darragh swept across the UK. Town embraces 'wonky' Christmas treeThe donated tree, which appears to have some missing branches, was defended by people in the town. BBC Children in Need: Gabriel's sport sessionGabriel uses a 360 camera to show his class in Gainsborough which is funded by the BBC charity. Restored WW2 bunker reopens for Heritage Open DaysThe bunker, in Barton upon Humber, is open to visitors for the first time in five years. Lorenzo the lion 'picks' his Euro football favouriteIs Lorenzo the lion getting behind England's Three Lions before they face Slovenia later? Man who wielded knife in police station is jailedWilliam Smith tried to attack staff working behind the counter, Lincolnshire Police said. Fireball spotted in sky over LincolnshireThe object was captured on camera as it streaked across the Lincolnshire sky on Monday evening. Baby alpaca born on Valentine's DayThe alpaca was born on 14 February and named Valentine by staff at the Rand Farm Park near Lincoln. Guinea pigs in luxury shed become TikTok hitMore than 140 of the animals live in the air-conditioned shed - dubbed "the Ritz". War veteran, 104, receives medal on his birthdayGeorge Pearson receives the Arctic Star to mark his Royal Navy role during World War Two. Ex-homeless woman's joy at Christmas in own flatRachel Gosling from Boston hopes to "give something back" after finding a job and a home. All Local Returning Officers in the Greater Lincolnshire area (covering Lincolnshire County Council North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council administrative areas) are conducting a verification and count for their own individual areas The individual local count totals are submitted to the Combined County Authority Returning Officer for consolidating the final declaration of result Below is the local result for North Lincolnshire Council: 2025 at 1:53 pm CDTExpandMarriott Theatre continues its 50th anniversary season celebration with “Titanic: The Musical.” (Photo provided by Justin Barbin Photography) the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire has mounted a phenomenal production of the musical “Titanic.” the ill-fated ship of dreams’ Broadway musical won five Tonys in 1997 Because of the direction and choreography of Connor Gallagher this “Titanic” is gorgeously and sweepingly staged showcasing a 26-member ensemble’s abundance of talent It also weaves in historical and technical information about the majesty of the “largest moving object in the world.” The RMS Titanic’s maiden crossing was intended to be from Southampton to New York (and we all know what happened in April 1912) “As a child who discovered musical theater in the ’90s The chance to bring it to life on the Marriott Theatre stage is a thrilling daunting and ultimately energizing task.” Gallagher makes it a thrill for the audience who reward the ensemble with much applause throughout and a deserved standing ovation at the finale Sully Ratke’s costumes are resplendent and luxuriant – from boarding outfits to evening wear to the 1912 social classes represented on board: first Smith is portrayed by David Girolmo as Marriott Theatre continues its 50th anniversary season celebration with “Titanic: The Musical.” The award-winning show takes a historic tack on the ship's fate (Photo provided by Justin Barbin Photography) Collette Pollard’s scenic design taught me you don’t have to have backdrops and massive set pieces to tell and support a story I truly had wondered how the Marriott’s theater-in-the-round stage could do it but Gallagher’s blocking (which addresses all angles of audience perspective) and Pollard’s use of a silver railing for the prow and silver frames for descending lifeboats work especially well when lit with the unobtrusive blues oranges and illuminating shades and spotlights of Jesse Klug’s lighting design those collision and scraping iceberg sounds are there thanks to Michael Daly’s sound design Erica Stephan and Victoria Okafor are part of a stellar 26-member cast as Marriott Theatre continues its 50th anniversary season celebration with “Titanic: The Musical.” (Photo provided by Justin Barbin Photography) The six-piece orchestra conducted by Brad Haak is live and flawless with violin Yeston’s score features songs that develop characters (“The Launching”) punch you in the stomach (“The Blame”) and make you want to dance (“Doing the Latest Rag”) the assembled wealth of talent is a tremendous pleasure Although it is difficult to establish “leads,” there are several standouts in this powerful ensemble Lillian Castillo’s social climber Alice Beane provides much of the comic relief with her constant schmoozing and gossiping balanced by her calming and patient husband played by James Earl Jones II Bruce Ismay as Marriott Theatre continues its 50th anniversary season celebration with “Titanic: The Musical.” (Photo provided by Justin Barbin Photography) arrogant and villainous character as he constantly urges and pushes Captain E.J Smith to take the Titanic to dangerous speeds White Star is in competition with the Cunard line David Girolmo’s Captain Smith is a majestic steady character; this is to be his last voyage before retirement after 43 years with the White Star Line There are no Jack and Rose in this musical a wealthy older couple married for more than 40 years She will not leave him to join the lifeboats with the women and children; a wonderful Heidi Kettenring and Mark David Kaplan are showcased in the song “Still.” realize late that nothing can be done to save the Titanic love and ambition are woven throughout the musical who played the character Marian Thayer in the original Broadway cast and touring company Maybe that’s why it’s such an engaging and so consuming theater entertainment – and it really happened • Regina Belt-Daniels has been writing reviews for Shaw Local News Network for more than 11 years She has held board positions with Raue Center For The Arts Her first theatrical role was a rather bossy Mother Goose in first grade; she has directed stage managed or acted in more than 40 productions • WHERE: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire • INFORMATION: 847-634-0200, MarriottTheatre.com Reform UK candidate Dame Andrea Jenkyns makes a speech after winning the election for Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Reform UK's Andrea Jenkyns has won the newly established Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty with more than 40 per cent of the vote Reform won 104,133 votes with a majority of almost 50,000 votes. The Conservatives came second with 64,585 votes while Labour on 33,384. Lincolnshire Independents came after with 19,911 thanked the electorate for putting their trust in her and promised to work "tirelessly" The new mayor of Lincolnshire added she had "never experienced" such a negative and soul-destroying campaign against her from opposition parties.  is now being imported here into Britain," she said "The Conservatives called the police on me and implied I slept with political friends They contacted the mainstream media to smear me The independent's husband pushed for a hearing at the council My barrister had to represent me, the case was dismissed "The campaign was also filled with irony as one of the candidates stated I was parachuted in Jenkyns thanked Reform UK leader Nigel Farage deputy leader Richard Tice and the party's chairman Zia Yusuf for her election victory.  and I know one day He will make a magnificent Prime Minister." The new mayor added there was a "new dawn" in British politics and Reform's success in the local elections marked the beginning of the end of "soft touch Britain" "The fight back to save the heart and soul of our great country has now begun Now that Reform is in a place of power we can help start rebuilding Britain inch by inch." A Reform source told PoliticsHome: “It’s clear from Runcorn and Lincolnshire that Reform are now the real opposition to Labour the area has had a strong Conservative presence with the party leading the local councils.  The new role will see the new regional mayor oversee a variety of areas in the region Like the by-election in Runcorn and Helsby the Lincolnshire mayoral race had been a focus area for Reform - with former Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns the party's candidate.  In January, Reform’s deputy leader, the MP for Lincolnshire’s Boston and Skegness Richard Tice told PoliticsHome a win for Reform in the mayoral race would be a “seismic moment” Labour have held mayoralities in Doncaster North Tyneside and the West of England by much-reduced margins Reform came second in all three mayoral elections.  Labour's Ros Jones won 23,805 with 32.6 per cent of the vote while Reform UK won 23,107 with 31.7 per cent on a turnout of 32.1 per cent.  PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe Are you looking to engage with the most influential people in UK politics PoliticsHome & The House Magazine organise a number of industry leading political events throughout the year Get daily news alerts and weekend round-ups straight to your inbox © Political Holdings Limited document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); The television features Hisense's Direct Full Array technology, which transforms the screen into a vibrant canvas. It also boasts Dolby Vision HDR, which can help viewers feel more connected to their favourite movies For those who appreciate smart TV features, this model has TV apps in one place, making it easy to find and enjoy both familiar favourites and new obsessions. The TV also includes a 4K AI Upscaler that ensures everything from old classics to modern streaming content is given a crystal-clear 4K makeover READ MORE: DVLA car tax warning as some drivers hit by fees up to £650 consider selling cars READ MORE: Nutritionist backs Apple Cider Vinegar gummies as 'fantastic choice' for boosting diets For those looking for alternatives, the Samsung 50-inch TV is available for £309 It boasts a 4.1 star rating from reviewers and has been praised as 'easy to set up' with 'great build quality' One shopper noted: "Very good price and great features and built quality" Shoppers could also consider a Sky Glass Gen 2 for those wanting to upgrade without a hefty upfront cost Prices start from £14 a month across 48months or £699 up front Shoppers have been praising the Hisense TV as a bargain One shopper who bought the smaller version said: "I was sceptical about a 43" TV for around £200 with good reviews and Amazon's free returns policy "I've been very impressed overall Lots of settings to play around with to refine the picture some customers noted the sound is not the best One reviewer said: "For a cheaper brand the picture is great no complaints with that you have to buy a sound bar or Bluetooth sound system to improve the quality of the sound." a satisfied buyer remarked: "Suffice it to say I was so impressed with this TV that I got rid of my 32-inch LG 4K monitor that I use for work and gaming The HDR is incredible for gaming and looks excellent on Xbox and PS5 it looks awful on Windows 11 but that's because Dame Andrea Jenkyns of the Reform party has been elected as the new Mayor of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority The declaration was made at Grimsby Town Hall The final result from the whole of Greater Lincolnshire (covering Lincolnshire County Council North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council administrative areas) was: The victory follows Nigel Farage's Reform UK's stunning win in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2025 at 8:31 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Circle K is located at 1000 Milwaukee Ave IL — A winning ticket worth $600,000 was purchased at a Circle K in Lincolnshire the Lucky Day Lotto ticket was bought at the 1000 Milwaukee Ave The lucky winning ticket matched all five numbers last Thursday's midday drawing to score the jackpot prize Circle K in Lincolnshire will receive a one percent bonus of the prize amount Illinois Lottery said two million winning Lucky Day Lotto tickets have been sold this year with total prizes amounting to more than $14 million for Illinois Lottery players The lucky winner has one year from the date of the winning draw to claim their prize The Illinois Lottery encourages the winner to write their name on the back of their winning ticket and keep it in a safe place until they’re ready to claim their prize Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it? The community needs development in areas that are under developed or abandon. Also need transparency in village initiatives. How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? Quality of life I think is important for the community. We need to continue and expand village events, and upgrade our parks. Not sure there are areas that need to be curtailed since transparency is awful. Not sure what those might be as of yet. What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner? Upgrade our parks is must. If we need to raise revenue then let’s look at that. But since these numbers are not easily accessible not sure the best way to do that. If there is no funds for such. Perhaps corporate sponsorships like some communities of parks? 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 local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board. As a former college educator and an attorney, I negotiate and work with people all the time. I think I have a very collaborative style and a new voice to help bring change where needed. What makes you the best candidate for the job? I am running for office because I believe it is time to speak up and make difference. I believe in government transparency. Items like shutting roads down without getting resident feedback for races should never happen, but it happens regularly. How about things like fixing our parks to be nicer like communities around us? I want to not only hear about things myself, but I want you the community to as well, and I want to insist on items being better publicized ahead of time, not after the fact. I want to make a difference and also feel like the board needs new voices and not just the same voices and ideas for years after years with no new ideas from the “outside.” As a former university educator, I get how to talk to all types of people and I want to help and make a difference. What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet? Maybe work with park districts nearby to get some reciprocal benefits for our residents. How about getting a deal with neighbor communities for discount beach access or discount parking at Metra? Or, how about various programming? Reform has won control of Lincolnshire county council and the new post of Greater Lincolnshire mayor. Dame Andrea said the move to prevent her from standing was a ‘political hit job aimed at smearing my candidacy’ Reform UK have narrowly avoided a local election crisis after one of the party’s most high profile candidates, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, was cleared to run as a mayoral candidate just days before the vote A decision by the chief executive of North Kesteven Council on whether Dame Andrea meets residency criteria to run for Greater Lincolnshire mayor had been deferred until after the weekend But in a last-minute reprieve issued late on Friday the council accepted that her address was valid and said the frontrunner could stand Dame Andrea told The Independent: “From the start this has been a political hit job aimed at smearing my candidacy I am proud to live in Lincolnshire and it would be the honour of my life to be mayor of the place I grew up in and live in.” A senior Tory source confirmed to The Independent that the party would put in a legal challenge to petition a re-election and disqualify her The mayoralty is being hotly contested between Labour Dame Andrea is ahead on 40 per cent with the Tory candidate Rob Waltham on 25 per cent and Labour’s Jason Stockwood on 15 per cent Postal votes for the election on Thursday 1 May have already been returned and the election could have been thrown into chaos if Dame Andrea had been banned from standing The situation also threatened to do serious damage to Nigel Farage and Reform as they try to show that they are a credible party of government in the 2029 general election The hearing on Friday in north Lincolnshire was brought as a result of an independent candidate for mayor who is a councillor on North Kesteven District Council It was based on the fact that Dame Andrea is living between Lincolnshire and Leeds It is understood that she attempted to demonstrate that the home she rents in Lincolnshire is her primary address with bank statements evidence from her landlord and rent statements a question mark had remained over whether her name is on the electoral roll in Lincolnshire Prior to the hearing, a spokesperson for Reform said the accusations made against Dame Andrea were “vexatious and politically motivated”, claiming that they were an attempt to smear her just days before the electorate cast their votes. The spokesperson said: “We understand a vexatious and politically motivated complaint has been made by the relative of a candidate in the same election that Andrea Jenkyns is contesting, in an attempt to deprive the people of Lincolnshire of the chance to vote for Reform UK. We are confident that this complaint will be dismissed.” The Independent has approached North Kesteven District Council for comment. govt and politics"},{"score":0.81422,"label":"/law govt and politics/politics/political parties"},{"score":0.780015,"label":"/law govt and politics/politics/elections"},{"score":0.706893,"label":"/law govt and politics/government/parliament"},{"score":0.69174,"label":"/law govt and politics/politics/elections/local elections"},{"score":0.613125,"label":"/society/work/unemployment"},{"score":0.601424,"label":"/law Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Nashville Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music Titanic premiered on Broadway in 1997, the same year as the epic movie was released. It won 5 Tony Awards including best musical.  This is not like the film. Director and choreographer Connor Gallagher (Marriott debut – please do more) has created an exceptional stage experience There is the excitement of coming to America You will find yourself being moved to tears Songs are divided between all the passengers Costume Designer Sully Ratke has dressed the passengers in colorful and gorgeous attire. It is art. The ensemble songs are extremely powerful.  We know how this story ends. I believe the fact that we know this is why the production is so emotional. We are watching the passengers and the crew entering the final hours of life. We see them after the collision with the iceberg. The Captain and crew are dignified. They do what they must do. The Marriott has given a new view of this story. It is powerful. It is moving. It’s history. Bring Kleenex. Definition Theatre will present the world premiere of Black Bone, a bold new satire by Chicago playwright Tina Fakhrid-Deen and the first full production to emerge from the company’s Amplify Series. Learn more! Shakespeare Theater just released production photos for their upcoming production of Hymn, running through May 25, 2025. Watch the cast in action! Chicago Shakespeare Theater just released video highlights for their upcoming production of Hymn, running through May 25, 2025. Watch the cast in action! Due to high demand, The Story Theatre has announced a second week of additional performances for its new production of At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen, now extended through Sunday, May 25, 2025 on Raven Theatre's Schwartz Stage. and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy Lake and McHenry County Scanner No injuries were reported following a house fire in Lincolnshire Monday evening that left a home uninhabitable Firefighters were called to the scene of a residential structure fire on Lincolnshire Drive at 8:36 p.m. said Lincolnshire Riverwoods Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Steve McCaughey Red Center dispatch informed the emergency crews the homeowner saw fire inside the home at an electrical panel The homeowner also told dispatchers he would be waiting outside for the fire department to arrive Emergency crews arrived at a two-story residential home with light smoke and all occupants outside Initial crews made entry to search for the fire and complete a primary search of the home McCaughey said a small fire was discovered in the basement along the wall behind the electrical panel Crews quickly extinguished the fire with a single-hose line as exterior crews extinguished any fire showing outside of the home McCaughey said crews had to wait for ComEd to arrive at the home and shut the power off before overhauling the area of the fire The cause and cost of the fire is still under investigation The home was deemed uninhabitable Monday because the power was shut off to the home Lincolnshire Riverwoods was assisted by Deerfield Bannockburn 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 02 May 2025 By The new mayor of Greater Lincolnshire CA has hit out at her opponents and promised to “put British people first” a former Conservative MP who defected to Reform last year said she had “never experienced” such a negative and “soul destroying campaign” comparing opposition tactics to the “dirty tricks” used in US elections “The Conservatives called the police on me and implied I slept with political friends They contacted the mainstream media to smear me,” she said Referencing a challenge over whether she met the residency requirements to be on the electoral roll which she said was brought by Lincolnshire Independents’ candidate Marianne Overton’s husband she said the “campaign was also filled with irony” “One of the candidates stated I was parachuted in she said in her South African accent,” she said who sits on Lincolnshire CC and North Kesteven DC has lived in Lincolnshire for over 30 years who must work with the councils as members of the county combined authority insisted she wished all the candidates “well” and would “draw a line under it now” She said Reform’s success in Greater Lincolnshire and elsewhere marked a “new dawn in British politics” “We're going to have a Britain where we put British people first We make sure that you are in front of the queue and you're out at the heart of our policy decisions,” she said we can help start rebuilding Britain inch by inch Reform will reset Britain to its glorious past,” she said “We will tackle illegal migration… I say ‘no’ to putting people in hotels Tents are good enough for France; they should be good enough for you in Britain.” Sky News reported that Conservative candidate Rob Waltham left the count venue at this point Cllr Waltham came second in the election and as leader of North Lincolnshire Council is expected to be a member of the new mayor’s cabinet Local elections live: Reform takes Greater Lincolnshire as Labour clings on in Weca A new force in local government Dame Andrea promised to “fight” for the people of Lincolnshire in her new role And I will fight against the destruction of our countryside by Ed Miliband “I will fight to ensure Lincolnshire is the best place to live as a mum… I will fight for your children's future.” LGC has contacted Cllr Waltham and Cllr Overton for comment Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion Today's election results will be felt by the whole local government network,… At least five Conservative county leaders lost their seats as the party… Reform has won its second metro mayor contest Cross-party talks are due to be held in Northumberland as the county… More Sponsor Insight Liverpool City Region Combined Authority 2025 at 3:28 pm CSTExpandDevin DeSantis plays the title character in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," kicking off Marriott Theatre's 50th anniversary season with the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice hit running through March 30 on the theater-in-the-round stage (Photo provided by Brett Beiner Photography) “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” often is considered one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular musicals and when it first hit Broadway more than 40 years ago but don’t be surprised if the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire receives several Jefferson Award nominations for its latest production Start with the musical’s fantastic lyrics by Tim Rice stir in the wide variety of musical styles Webber used in this version of the Genesis story of Jacob’s son Joseph and add a full ensemble of outstanding actors/singers under the direction and choreography expertise of Amber Mak The result is nonstop fun by a cast that’s clearly enjoying this as much as the audience If you need a refresher on the biblical story laid out in the musical: but Joseph gets special treatment (such as his father’s gift to him of the multicolored aka “technicolor,” coat) because he reminds Jacob of Joseph’s mother especially when Joseph describes dreams that show his brothers paying homage to him (Rice’s lyrics in the song “Joseph’s Dreams” include “I dreamed I saw 11 stars have sold Joseph into slavery to Ishmaelites who subsequently take him to Egypt and sell him to Potiphar when Potiphar’s wife is attracted to Joseph and her rejected proposition to him results in our hero being jailed • When word reaches Pharaoh that Joseph can interpret dreams Joseph’s accurate predictions of seven years of bumper crops followed by seven years of famine majorly elevates his status in Egypt • When Joseph’s brothers fall on hard times they come to Egypt to plead their case for assistance not realizing the one they’re appealing to is their long-lost brother In a fresh "Prologue" for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Kaitlyn Davis (from right) plays mother and Narrator with Avelyn Lena Choi alternating in the role of her child at Marriott Theatre Mak has taken a different approach for the “Prologue,” with the father and mother of a little girl (Avelyn Lena Choi at the performance I saw Lena Soszynski at others) telling the child a tune-filled bedtime story the mother (Kaitlyn Davis) becoming the traditional Narrator and the father (Devin DeSantis) taking on the title role Both Davis and DeSantis are perfectly cast for these parts their voices mastering all the clever Rice lyrics and the beautiful tones of Webber’s music is a standout in his portrayal of Pharaoh in the Marriott Theatre production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," running through March 30 on the theater-in-the-round stage plays the powerful Pharaoh with a sense of style that breaks the fourth wall to the audience’s delight even to the point of referencing the next show on Marriott’s 50th anniversary season schedule (“You ain’t gonna see this in ‘Titanic,’ are you!“) Rush’s Pharaoh isn’t just an Elvis or James Brown impersonation when there was a “megamix” of bits of more than half a dozen “Joseph” songs the audience eagerly awaited Rush’s return Kudos to George Keating for portraying both Jacob and Potiphar making them memorable to the point that audiences may not realize he does double duty in the cast It’s been a while since I last saw a “Joseph” performance but this production reminded me of the potpourri of song styles in the Rice/Webber score I especially enjoyed the country “hoedown” tune “One More Angel in Heaven,” led by Joseph’s brother Reuben (Lillian Castillo); the pep rally excitement of “Go Go Joseph,” a very upbeat way to head into intermission; the beret-wearing French lament of “Those Canaan Days,” led by brothers Simeon (Leah Morrow) and Issachar (Christopher Kale Jones); and the calypso stylings of “Benjamin Calypso,” when Judah (Juwon Tyrel Perry) and nine other brothers plead for mercy for their wrongly-accused-of-theft sibling “Close Every Door,” a powerful solo performed by DeSantis that takes Joseph from the depths of despair to the heights of hope may be one of the most well-known songs from the show But take it from me: You shouldn’t close any doors that would keep you from seeing this Marriott production It’s truly an amazing “Technicolor Dreamcoat.” • Paul Lockwood is a communications consultant at Health Care Service Corporation in Chicago Grace Lutheran Church (Woodstock) and Toastmasters member columnist and past president of TownSquare Players He’s lived in Woodstock for more than 24 years • WHAT: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” • WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday until March 30 • INFORMATION: 847-634-0200, tickets.marriotttheatre.com, marriotttheatre.com Lottery officials announced Saturday that a convenience store in Lincolnshire sold a winning $600,000 lottery ticket from Thursday’s midday Lucky Day Lotto drawing The ticket was sold at Circle K gas station located at 1000 Milwaukee Avenue in Lincolnshire The person who bought the ticket matched all five Lucky Day Lotto numbers in the March 20 midday drawing The lucky Illinois Lottery player won the $600,000 jackpot prize The Circle K store in Lincolnshire will receive one percent — or $6,000 — for selling the winning ticket 22 tickets were sold where four of the five numbers matched 862 tickets were sold where three of the five numbers matched Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw to claim their prize The Illinois Lottery said they encourage winners to write their name on the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prize Lucky Day Lotto is an Illinois-only game with twice daily drawings at 12:40 p.m 2025 at 1:25 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(From clockwise): Timothy Hansen IL — While conducting a two-day human trafficking demand suppression operation in the Lincolnshire area of Lake County Tuesday and Wednesday Police said the operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts the following individuals were arrested and charged: Police said the operation was part of a multifaceted approach by ISP aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois All four defendants made their first court appearance Thursday where the State filed petitions to detain in each case according to the Lake County State's Attorney's Office Hansen and Newell had their detention hearings and the judge granted the State’s petitions to detain both defendants Powers and Romero-Chinchillo are scheduled to have their detention hearings Friday defendants charged with sex offenses such as those in this case are no longer able to use cash to secure release awaiting trial Judges assess whether the offender is a flight risk or a danger to the community in determining who is held prior to trial and victim support providers are making our communities safer by holding anyone responsible who would exploit others," Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said "Their dedication sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable individuals Thank you to the Illinois State Police for this proactive investigation and for their continued partnership in protecting Lake County." arranged in the silhouette of a Lancaster Bomber has been unveiled at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincoln ahead of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8th May created by Lithuanian artist Darius Sirmulevicius who now lives in Lincolnshire will serve as a summer-long tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War will be available for sale with proceeds going towards the IBCC Wooden Spoon Rugby Charity and British West India Regiments Heritage Trust IBCC CEO Nicky van der Drift said: “During WWII more than a million men and women served in or supported Bomber Command and Lincolnshire housed over a third of all the RAF Bomber Command stations the red poppy is the national symbol of remembrance Despite the devastation and horrific loss of life in war-torn Europe poppies flourished and grew on battlefields and this spectacular display in the shape of a Lancaster Bomber is a fitting tribute to their sacrifice a reminder of the cost of war and an education piece for all ages which is at the heart of everything we do here.” The unveiling also marks the launch of VE80 Lincoln – the final stage of the Rugby & World War Two Project designed to honour the 80th anniversary of D-Day (6th June which began in Normandy and continued through Nijmegen and Arnhem will culminate in Lincoln on VE Day with a series of events at locations across Lincolnshire from 8th to 11th May 2025 Over 280 young male and female rugby players from U18 teams in the UK the Netherlands and Jamacia will take part in the events including an international VE80 Rugby Festival hosted by Lincoln Rugby Club on Saturday 10th May Other VE80 Lincoln commemorative events will include: the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) Director of Sage Blue and Co-Chair of VE80 Lincoln Sue Liburd MBE DL said: “The 80th anniversary of VE Day provides a unique opportunity to honour the sacrifices made by millions and educate future generations about the enduring importance of peace and freedom and what better way to do this than through sport which involves young people from across the Europe and the Commonwealth courage and unity remain relevant and inspiring for years to come “The commemorations are more than just a reflection on history they are an investment in future generations.” Lincolnshire Today is Lincolnshire's most prestigious county lifestyle magazine and is sold throughout the county from leading newsagents and retail outlets Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range including fashion; hair & beauty; places of interest; health; gardening; motoring; sports; homes & gardens; weddings; and of course Lincolnshire history © 2020 Lincolnshire Today - Part of the Business Link Magazine Group By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information Accept The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this Close A man and a woman were transported to the hospital after they were struck by an SUV whose driver claimed that his brakes failed near Lincolnshire Long Grove Fire Protection District and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District responded around 2:37 p.m Sunday to the 16200 block of West Aptakisic Road in unincorporated Lincolnshire for a vehicle crash with injuries Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said two pedestrians were struck by a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe reported the brakes on his Chevrolet failed and two people were struck and injured in the backyard of the property Deputies learned a 61-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman were attempting to load a brush pile into the back of the Chevrolet They were standing in front of the brush pile and the driver began to reverse the Chevrolet Covelli said the driver said either his foot slipped off the brake pedal or the vehicle’s brakes failed The driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the pedestrians who were conscious and breathing at the scene Paramedics transported the victims to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for treatment Covelli said alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the incident 02 May 2025 By Over 1,600 council seats are up for grabs and there are four combined authority mayoral elections It is expected to be a difficult day for the Conservatives and Nigel Farage's Reform UK is hoping to do well Follow this page for the latest local election results and analysis from the LGC editorial team With the majority of the council election results having been declared, LGC head of content Kirsty Weakley has pulled together some thoughts about where a momentus day leaves the local government sector. Read her LGC Briefing here Thank you for reading LGC's coverage throughout the day The Liberal Democrats have taken overall control of both Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire CCs Both counties were previously under no overall control with Lib Dem leaders Labour is the second largest party with 12 seats the Conservatives and Reform came in joint second with 10 councillors each Reform has won the new mayorality for the Hull & East Yorkshire CA former Olympic boxing champion Luke Campbell will join fellow Reform mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns who won the contest in Greater Lincolnshire on the other side of the River Humber earlier today The Conservative party has lost its majority in Hertfordshire CC The Liberal Democrats will be the largest group of councillors with 31 out of the 78 bumping the Conservative party to second spot with 22 seats While the Green party has quadrupled their presence in county hall with four councillors The Conservative party has lost overall control of Wiltshire Council which will now be under no overall control It is not yet clear whether the Tories or Lib Dems will be the biggest party The Liberal Democrats currently have 37 seats while the Conservatives are at a close second with 34 A total of nine seats are yet to be declared had campaigned in the former Tory stronghold just before election day which was interpreted as demonstrating her party's fears about the outcome Reform is set to take control of Kent CC with 53 seats declared in its favour so far In the entire history of the county council there have only been four years without a Conservative leader when Labour and Liberal Democrats entered a coalition between 1993 to 1997 Reform will be at least 12 seats above the threshold needed for overall control The Conservative party has been bumped to third place with five councillors behind the Liberal Democrats who have at least doubled their number of seats to 12 Leader Roger Gough (Con) lost his seat to Reform’s Marc Logan Northumberland CC was the first council to declare its results this morning with the council under no overall control but the Conservatives the largest party Tory leader Glen Sanderson told LGC: “I’m very proud of the Conservative results and I hope that we might be able to look at some options which might allow our programme of ambition and careful housekeeping to continue.” Read the full story: Northumberland leader: ‘We’ll look to work with others’ Final results for Leicestershire CC have revealed the council will be under no overall control with Reform the largest party with 25 out of the possible 55 seats They were three seats shy of taking overall control The Conservatives lost 24 seats and were relegated to the second largest party with 15 councillors Liberal Democrats were in close third with 11 councillors Labour has lost half of its Leicestershire councillors They reported that he received 1,160 votes in his ward Roger Gough has become the latest council leader to lose their seat The Conservative leader of Kent CC received 33% of the vote in his ward compared with 37% for the Reform candidate Reform has added Nottinghamshire CC to the list of councils it has snatched out of Conservative control So far the party has 36 of the 64 seats with six still to declare The Lib Dems have gained nine seats so far in Cambridgeshire CC and hold 26 of the 47 seats declared so far To get an overall majority they need to reach 31 seats Reform has gained eight seats and Labour is on one seat The Conservatives have lost 16 seats now have 10 Two more previously Conservative controlled county councils are set to be controlled by Reform UK the party now holds 38 out of 64 seats on Derbyshire CC with the Conservatives losing 29 and Labour 11 With seats still to declare the Conservatives have seven seats A number of council election pages are buckling under the volume of people trying to access the results LGC has seen a number that are currently too busy to show the outcomes in their areas with one telling viewers: "This website is under heavy load too many people are accessing this website at the same time The Conservatives have regained the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough CA mayorality four years after Labour took it off them Former Peterborough MP Paul Bristow received 28.4% of the vote with Reform five points behind in second place the Conservative leader of Warwickshire CC has lost her seat to the Liberal Democrats The former leader of the Conservative group at the Local Goverment Assocation received 961 votes in her Stour & the Vale ward compared with 1,129 for her Lib Dem challenger The Northern Echo has reported that Reform has now won enough seats to take control of Durham County Council The council had been run by Labour for a century until the 2021 election when it was replaced by a Liberal Democrat-led coalition With just Cambridge City Council votes to be declared the Conservatives’ Paul Bristow has a five point lead over Ryan Coogan for Reform UK Mr Bristow has 31% of the vote so far to Mr Coogan’s 26% The Lib Dems are in third and Labour is in fourth Labour has run the CA for the last four years and its candidate Anna Smith was the deputy mayor There has been a delay to the city’s results. Local newspaper reporter Joanna Taylor said on X that this was because “it's taking longer simply because there are more votes to count” Results are starting to come in from Lancashire where Reform has gained 14 of the 84 seats up for election Independents are also up 5 while Labour is down 14 and the Conservatives As Reform captured overall control of Lincolnshire CC the council's outgoing Conservative leader told the BBC: “Reform have just capitalised on a protest vote without actually explaining how they are going to run anything so it’s a bit of a leap in the dark.” Cllr Hill added that he does not see this as vote against his leadership due to their "good track record" as he thinks voters have “taken little account of how the council is being run and how their services have been delivered” Full story: Reform to run Lincolnshire CC Local government stalwart Nick Rushton has lost his Valley seat to Reform The Conservative leader of Leicestershire CC won 29% of the vote compared with 36% for his Reform opponent Michael Squires The BBC has reported that Reform has passed the 36 seat threshold needed to win overall control of Lincolshire CC With 45 out of 70 seats declared on Lincolnshire CC Reform has taken overall control of Staffordshire CC Read the full story: Reform takes control of Staffordshire Reform UK look set to take control of Lincolnshire and Staffordshire CCs following overnight counting Elections took place yesterday at 13 counties Read the full story: Reform ahead in two county elections Read the full story: Jenkyns to ‘put British people first’ after ‘dirty tricks campaign’ Labour narrowly held onto mayoralties on Doncaster and North Tyneside MBCs and the West of England CA But Andrea Jenkyns won the Greater Lincolnshire CA mayoralty for Reform UK and the party has picked up over 70 seats so far Read editor Sarah Calkin's Briefing: A new force in local government Psephologists Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher share their analysis about how parties could perform and highlighted on the most interesting contests at this May's local elections Rallings & Thrasher: Reform is the wildcard in ‘capricious’ set of elections Local elections: Councils to watch The LGC team went to debates for the combined authority mayoral races: Tensions high in ‘vicious’ Greater Lincolnshire mayor campaign Reform aims for knock-out blow in Hull & East Yorkshire The tight mayoral race in West of England Cambridgeshire & Peterborough: ‘Toxic’ politics, growth and raising the mayor’s profile 2025 at 7:00 am CSTExpandActor Devin DeSantis in Lincolnshire Marriott Theatre's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," which runs Feb Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Lake County is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the Marriott Theatre’s production of the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which runs Feb the theatre is debuting a rotating pop-up experience at its Three Embers Restaurant Each pop up will be an extension of the current stage production at the theatre transporting guests to another realm while enjoying a themed food and beverage menu led by the restaurant’s culinary team The pop-up experience will kick off with Joseph’s Dream Grill to mirror “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The restaurant will replicate the world of “Joseph” with stunning aesthetics bringing it to amazing technicolor life Dreamy lanterns and a starlit framed screen will play immersive visuals for guests to dine back in time with a special photo opportunity for diners to commemorate their experience Palm trees and brightly adorned fabrics will fill the restaurant where guests can indulge in a specialty themed menu featured pre-fixe menu items will include the Nile Red Lentil Soup with herb oil and micro cilantro; Joseph’s Beef Schwarma and tahini; along with a specialty “Fit for a King” raisin cake dessert The pre-fixe menu will be served alongside Three Ember’s Main Menu that also has Joseph-themed dishes such as the Pharoah’s Memphis Style BBQ pizza and the Wood Fired Shrimp Creole the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort has been honored to host over 4 million guests and play over 1 million games of golf on Crane’s Landing golf course while the Marriott Theatre has presented over 250 main stage productions and 100 Theatre for Young Audience productions We continue to innovate and are elated to share this exciting new popup experience at Three Embers,” General Manager Brad Lajoie said in a news release “This will allow not only our theatre guests to fully immerse themselves in this one-of-a-kind dining experience but our hotel and local guests from the Lincolnshire area can also enjoy a unique and transformed space.” The first of five popups this year, Joseph’s Dream Grill will be open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. throughout the run of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” To book your reservation at Joseph’s Dream Grill today, please visit threeembersrestaurant.com or call 847-634-0100 For more information about the show, or to purchase tickets, visit marriotttheatre.com Shaw Local News NetworkShaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois From swearing at protesters outside Downing Street to becoming the mayor of Lincolnshire in an election where opponents claimed she was not qualified to stand, Dame Andrea Jenkyns has had a career of controversy and drama like few others, says The Independent’s political editor David Maddox From swearing at protesters outside Downing Street to becoming the mayor of Lincolnshire in an election where opponents claimed she was not qualified to stand, Dame Andrea Jenkyns has had a career of controversy and drama like few others, says The Independent’s political editor David Maddox the events of the last seven days are not unusual for a right-wing politician who has courted controversy in a headstrong political career that has given her opponents plenty of ammunition Whether it is flipping the bird at protesters outside Downing Street while going in to mark Boris Johnson’s departure as prime minister, or ending the political career of Ed Balls, Dame Andrea has never been far from the drama. It all started when 16-year-old Andrea Jenkyns left school in Beverly, Humberside, after her GCSEs and got herself a job serving pasties and sausage rolls at Greggs. At 18, though, her father persuaded her to start competing in beauty pageants, and her public career really began on the Miss UK stage, where she was a finalist. She went on to get academic qualifications as a mature student in her 30s with a degree from the University of Lincoln in international relations and politics and an Open University diploma in economics. But the desire to perform has never left her, even beyond politics. Many years later, as a good soprano, she would release an album and perform live in the UK, Europe and Asia, including for the former prime minister of Pakistan. Her political career could not have begun in a more spectacular fashion in 2015. Having been a county councillor in Boston, Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea was asked to run against former Labour cabinet minister Ed Balls in the Morley and Outwood seat on the edge of Leeds. Mr Balls clearly thought he had the seat in the bag and instead focused on campaigning to oust the then Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg in nearby Sheffield. It came as a shock to everyone when, in the early hours of the morning on 7 May, Jenkyns was declared the winner. In effect, it ended the political career of a man who had been expected to challenge for the Labour leadership. Once in parliament, it became clear that Jenkyns was firmly on the right of the Tory party. She quickly joined the European Research Group of hardcore Brexiteers and became a big cheerleader for Boris Johnson. After the 2016 EU referendum, she pushed for a no-deal Brexit and in 2018, she became the first person with a government position to quit her job in Theresa May’s premiership in protest over trying to compromise with the EU. Such was her strong support for Brexit that the millionaire Nigel Farage ally Arron Banks gave £2,000 for her 2019 election campaign, in a much-criticised move. Jenkyns was accused of trying to help entryism into the Conservatives. Almost all of her nine-year parliamentary career was spent on the backbenches with little appetite to trust her with a ministerial job. But as dozens of ministers quit Boris Johnson’s government in protest over Partygate lockdown boozing in Downing Street and the Chris Pincher scandal, Jenkyns was appointed a junior education minister. Always a fan of Johnson, on the day he departed as prime minister, she became the image of Tory contempt when she was pictured flipping the bird at protesters on her way into Downing Street to hear his farewell speech. Mr Johnson was grateful, though, making sure she got her damehood in his resignation honours list. While Boris Johnson was her leadership love in politics, Dame Andrea had also found love with one of her colleagues, Jack Lopresti, who fell for her despite being on the moderate One Nation side of the Tories. Lopresti left his family for her, and they had a son in 2017, marrying in December that year. But things fell apart quite quickly: in 2024, she announced they had divorced. Lopresti was last heard of joining the Ukrainian army to help in the war against Russia, having also lost his seat in the election last year. Dame Andrea’s relationship with Reform has been typically hot and cold. Ahead of the 2024 election, she accused Reform of trying to bribe her to defect to it. She then had a bitter feud with party leader Richard Tice after she was deliberately targeted by Reform to lose her Morley and Leeds South West seat, which she duly did. The animosity did not stop her from turning up as a guest at Nigel Farage’s 60th birthday party ahead of the election last year in what was seen as a sign that she would eventually switch. She was pictured with Farage and Arron Banks. Then, as a seatless ex-Tory MP, she became Reform’s 100,000th member and was declared as the mayoral candidate for Greater Lincolnshire – the county where her political career began as a councillor in Boston. But even then, things were not settled between her and Reform. Dame Andrea’s public support for Boris Johnson on X (formerly Twitter) appeared to clash with party chairman Zia Yusuf’s interviews about how the ex-Tory PM would never be welcome in Reform. Dame Andrea’s first reaction on winning was to complain about the “smear campaign” against her by her opponents. Having picked up 42 per cent of the vote, she was more concerned about the questions which had been asked about whether she was eligible to stand. While she was cleared by the returning officer to stand as a candidate, there is a possibility that her vague residency qualifications could become the subject of another legal challenge. Now she has won, though, and is backed by a likely Reform majority on the county council, the sleepy East Midlands county could become a real testbed for Reform right-wing policies. Already, she is discussing putting illegal migrants in tents. She is also likely to try to stop renewable energy sources, be it wind or solar farms, from being allowed in the county. More interesting will be the Lincolnshire version of Doge in slashing costs and cutting services, an ambition of Farage’s. Lincolnshire’s farmers and fishing communities may be worried about having a vegetarian animal rights activist in charge. But overall, Lincolnshire will now be the real test of whether Reform is a party fit to govern. And Dame Andrea will become the face of that. govt and politics"},{"score":0.827681,"label":"/law govt and politics/government/parliament"},{"score":0.808858,"label":"/law govt and politics/politics"},{"score":0.701722,"label":"/law Dame Andrea Jenkyns has had a career of controversy and drama like few others says The Independent’s political editor David Maddox The 80th anniversary of VE Day will be marked across North East Lincolnshire with events to remember the Fallen of the Second World War celebrations erupted to mark the end of World War II in Europe Victory in Europe Day saw Germany unconditionally surrender its military forces to the Allies Look at pictures here from the Lincs Inspire archives of street parties in Hilstead’s Yard Grimsby and along Cleethorpes’ Bennett Road there’s lots going on across the borough – and for past and present military personnel Stagecoach East Midlands is providing free bus travel on Thursday 8 May People in uniform or carrying a military ID Full details of other events at www.discovernortheastlincolnshire.co.uk Or for all events go to Activities and events – VE Day and VJ Day 80 Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice tells Sky News he is "absolutely confident that Andrea Jenkyns has convincingly won the mayoral" A real estate executive from Lincolnshire was the buyer of retired Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan’s mansion in Highland Park which sold for $20 million less than initially listed located at 2700 Point Lane in Highland Park was first listed for sale in March 2012 at $29 million the property’s price was reduced to $21 million and then to $16 million later in 2013 The listing was updated in September to reflect that it had gone under contract The residence officially sold on December 10 for $9.5 million nearly $20 million less than what it was first listed The buyer was identified as John Cooper, 42, of Lincolnshire, according to the Lincoln Journal Star Cooper is a General Partner of HAN Capital which owns and operates self-storage properties and RV parks across the United States The newspaper reported that Cooper is an avid sports fan and he celebrated his 42nd birthday at the Highland Park home “I remember seeing the home for sale and thinking how cool it would be for the person that buys the home,” Cooper told Lincoln Journal Star adding that he intends to honor the property’s legacy and not make any major changes “NBA Superstar Michael Jordan’s seven-acre estate is as legendary as His Airness himself The 56,000 square foot property-equipped with every conceivable luxury amenity-is a physical monument to his tireless dedication and hard work,” the home’s real estate listing said The custom-designed property includes a regulation-sized basketball court The home has nine bedrooms and 19 bathrooms with attached parking for 14 cars It was built in 1995 and underwent remodeling in 2009 In April 2023, the property experienced a break-in by two suspects Residents reported seeing numerous Highland Park police officers responding with emergency lights activated around 4:10 p.m The Highland Park Police Department confirmed they responded to a call for a burglary in progress at Jordan’s residence entered the property and were seen investigating The Lake County Sheriff’s Office assisted by sending deputies and a canine unit Hagedorn was charged with criminal trespass to occupied residence and two counts of criminal damage to property Court records show Hagedorn entered into a withholding judgment on one of the charges and was sentenced to 12 months of supervision and 50 hours of public service a closer examination reveals that this response may not tell the full story and highlights how precise wording in official queries can obscure rather than clarify public understanding The FOI response cited in media coverage is dated 27 March 2025 and it answers a specific question: whether the council employed any roles titled “Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer” during 2022 But a previous FOI request from 2022 paints a more nuanced picture Lincolnshire County Council confirmed that at least one role dedicated to diversity and inclusion did exist – namely Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer”— within the 12 months prior to the request The council even outlined the officer’s responsibilities and pay grade Or does the discrepancy arise not from a contradiction While “DEI” and “EDI” refer to the same principles (Diversity and Inclusion) FOI responses tend to be literal and technical Ask for “DEI Officers” and you’ll get a response about people with that exact job title not necessarily anyone working in the field of diversity a brief search of LinkedIn and other professional platforms reveals multiple individuals affiliated with Lincolnshire County Council who describe their roles as involving diversity and inclusion These job titles are publicly listed and easily accessible The Conservative and Reformer Post identified several such employees suggesting that DEI functions do exist within the council—whether formally titled or not These individuals may not carry the formal title of “DEI Officer,” but they clearly contribute to the council’s diversity suggesting a distributed approach to DEI responsibilities rather than a centralised team Some clearly boast on their Linkedin profiles that their key skills are “Equality Critics have used the FOI’s narrow scope to imply that Dame Andrea Jenkyns was either misinformed or grandstanding when she vowed to eliminate DEI roles within the county council albeit under different titles) is demonstrably true What this situation highlights is the importance of precise language in policy and oversight and the need for media outlets to distinguish between literal truth and practical reality Just because a council doesn’t employ someone titled “DEI Officer” doesn’t mean DEI functions are absent Dame Andrea’s comments have sparked a necessary conversation about transparency in local governance and the role of diversity programming in public institutions fails to acknowledge the actual presence of DEI-aligned work within the council is very much part of Lincolnshire County Council today and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Join the Conservative Post's Patriot Club today! Contact us: editor@conservativepost.co.uk Office sought: Lincolnshire village board (Vote for 3) What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it The key issue Lincolnshire faces is thoughtful economic development to address two priorities we must continue making Lincolnshire a special place to live I would support unique projects that draw long-term interest from residents of Lincolnshire and nearby communities Projects should complement our natural landscape and residential areas and align with the recently-adopted long-term comprehensive plan development enables healthy long-term finances Growth creates new revenue for the village via local taxes that offsets rising costs and risks to current revenues residents are only taxed for police pensions and public safety — growth ensures this policy continues The village has considered proposals to develop the former Aon property The Aon property is valuable for its acreage The Corporate Center should be a focus area How would you describe the state of your community's finances What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed The village passes a balanced budget every year and maintains 75% of its annual operating expenses in reserve The village has little to no debt and funds its police pension at over a 90% rate These accomplishments have earned Lincolnshire an AAA bond rating my goal would be to continue managing Lincolnshire’s finances in this manner Because of Lincolnshire’s fiscally responsible policies the village has been able to weather economic downturns like 2008 and the COVID pandemic Lincolnshire has wisely adopted a 10-year capital improvement projects plan and has sought ways to reduce costs by outsourcing certain jobs like maintenance of rights of way The village has also reduced costs down by joint purchasing and bidding and consolidating 911 services I will work to find other opportunities to streamline and reduce costs while still delivering quality services What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address what project(s) can be put on the back burner The most important infrastructure project facing Lincolnshire is aging water main and sewer systems Lincolnshire’s infrastructure is over 60 years old and was designed for a smaller population and fewer buildings wider pipes are required to ensure uninterrupted and clean water supply storm sewer modernization and updated lift stations near the Des Plaines River Spring Lake Park area should address the regular flooding in the area Lincolnshire manages water and storm sewer projects as separate utilities under public works The village’s sewer and utility fee covers capital expenses required for infrastructure upgrades I think this is a fair method to allocate costs because residents are billed based on their share of demand Lincolnshire should plan infrastructure projects based on guidance from its 10-year plan Projects deemed critical should take priority over others in the event all cannot be completed 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 local government Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board I have developed strong team leadership skills through project management experience in business and as a former football and basketball player at Stevenson High School My approach to team problem solving is to define a project’s goal and project requirements with critical stakeholders one can more easily balance complementary and competing interests of various stakeholders to achieve the desired outcome This approach translates well to local government To consider a new piece of village business a trustee must develop a point of view on the best outcome for the village and balance the interests and inputs of residents What makes you the best candidate for the job went to District 103 schools and Stevenson played basketball and baseball through LSA (Spring Lake Sports League spent summers at the Lincolnshire Swim Club and I recently decided to make Lincolnshire home for our young family — we welcomed our first son in January Having lived the Lincolnshire experience myself I understand why Lincolnshire is a special place and I want my son to have the same upbringing I enjoyed I have skills and experiences to be an effective trustee and to represent the interests of Lincolnshire residents I have a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois and professional experience managing large strategic projects in the automotive and packaging industries I would love an opportunity to apply my skills toward the growth of Lincolnshire What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet I have heard complaints about cellphone and internet coverage in the community I think an opportunity exists for the village to proactively engage with telephone and internet providers to ensure we have access to the best telecommunication resources telecommunication infrastructure must be state of the art.