Round Lake Beach Police Chief Wayne Wilde will be retiring from his post effective April 17 according to an announcement released Wednesday Round Lake Beach will swear in a new police chief at the April 21 village board meeting who has been with the Round Lake Beach Police Department for 28 years said it has been his “greatest honor to serve this outstanding community.” “I would like to thank the men and women of the Round Lake Beach Police Department for their hard work and dedication and to the (Round Lake) Fire Protection District and CenCom E911 telecommunicators keep the citizens we serve safe,” he added Wilde started with the department in 1997 as a patrol officer before being promoted to sergeant in October 2007 and later named deputy chief in December 2016 Wilde took the department’s reins after former police Chief Gil Rivera retired in July 2022 “We are deeply grateful to Wayne for his many years of dedicated service to the village of Round Lake Beach,” said Mayor Scott Nickles in a news release and incredible personality will be greatly missed at village hall We wish him all the best in whatever path he chooses next.” Wilde has served in various roles including as a field training officer and supervisor gang and juvenile officer and as the law enforcement liaison with the Lake County Health Department “A Way Out” program Wilde is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2010 Police Executive Role in the 21st Century in 2015 and has a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Winona State University in Minnesota “I have many fond memories of Round Lake Beach but my fondest memory is getting to experience and be a part of the growing bond between our community and the police department throughout the years,” Wilde said Lake and McHenry County Scanner Round Lake Beach officials have announced a vacant Rollins Road movie theater will be transformed into a new family entertainment center featuring movie screens The indoor Go-Kart track will be multi-level and use electric vehicles is expected to submit final plans for the development in summer 2025 “We are thrilled with the plans we have seen already by the developer,” said Round Lake Beach Mayor Scott Nickles it will offer something for everyone and truly be a major draw for Round Lake Beach attracting not only residents from our village but visitors from across Lake and McHenry counties,” Nickles said The movie theater has been closed since January 2023 due to Regal Cinemas’ bankruptcy and subsequent closure of 39 locations nationwide “This new project will not only create local job opportunities but it will also position Round Lake Beach as a go-to destination for families throughout Lake County,” said Gil Rivera Economic Development director for the Village of Round Lake Beach Round Lake Beach officials recently toured the concept in Texas the entertainment hub will join existing community partners in providing retail and family-friendly entertainment venues in the community along with the addition of new restaurants currently in development is a continuation of the Mayor and Board’s vision of enhancing our already vibrant retail and entertainment corridor,” said Gil Rivera The shuttered theater has been a target for past vandals Police officers and firefighters responding to a fire alarm discovered fire damage in April 2024 Prosecutors said two theaters of the vacant building were engulfed in flames during the arson and the lobby was destroyed with damage estimates to be $100,000 at the least 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 ROUND LAKE — Two people escaped their rural Round Lake home without injury early Sunday morning after fire broke out in the upstairs of their two-story farmhouse Round Lake Fire Chief Kevin Turner said Sunday evening that they were dispatched to the 29000 block of Wass Avenue “The house was pretty well engulfed in flames in the bedroom where it started,” Turner said of the scene when they arrived the fire worked down the wall in the room where it initially started and we weren’t able to get to it due to the floor being gone.” Brewster Fire Department was called for mutual aid to haul in water for the drop tank with the fire completely extinguished and no hot spots remaining the department was again dispatched to the scene after flames were spotted by a neighbor and the American Red Cross was contacted to assist them it was smoldering quite a bit,” Turner said of the house “It went up the wall and was burning in both directions … and made its way into the attic.” they requested the Worthington Fire Department for mutual aid with its ladder truck and a tanker Brewster was back on scene with its tanker also it’s hard to know exactly what it’s going to do,” Turner said of the fire everything freezes over (creating a mask).” Firefighters continued to douse the flames and had everything out by about 1 p.m. and Turner said there was no indication of what ignited the fire In addition to the challenge of getting at the second-story blaze Turner said their biggest issue was the cold weather making it treacherous for firefighters as ice built up “I was very proud of my team the way they got the blaze knocked down the first time around,” Turner said we thought we had it until it flamed back up on us later “Even the second time they did an awesome job getting it under control — we just couldn’t get above it — it was concealed in the attic,” he added “I wasn’t going to risk life with the possibility of the roof collapsing in on them.” Turner said the home’s second story was completely destroyed while the main level sustained heavy water and smoke damage who was asked to bring out an excavator to knock the second story down ensuring there were no remaining hot spots Family members of firefighters brought coffee and donuts out during both rounds of the firefight and Turner said KwikTrip generously donated some of those items for the firefighters MANITOU BEACH — A lot of things need to go right for there to be a near perfect weekend offering of the Devils and Round Lake Tip-Up Festival Chief among those factors to determine what activities can and can’t take place rests upon Mother Nature’s cooperation Many events planned at previous Tip-Up festivals and those on the docket for this weekend’s 73rd edition are scheduled for land and lake Frozen conditions on Devils Lake will allow Tip-Up Festival guests to engage in the weekend-long ice fishing contest hovercraft rides and the always popular outhouse races For information related to specific contest rules, registration and additional details, visit the Devils & Round Lake Men’s Club Facebook page or call 517-403-3573 The 73rd Devils and Round Lake Tip-Up Festival sponsored by the Devils & Round Lake Men’s Club which serves as the kickoff event Friday night has been canceled because of open water near Cherry Point making it “not safe to ride around the perimeter of Devils Lake,” the men’s club posted on Facebook Everything else is still on for Tip-Up 2025.” Members of the Devils and Round Lake Men’s Club have reported there is anywhere from 11-12 inches of ice thickness on Devils Lake “We still have some pretty decent ice conditions right now,” 22-year men’s club member Andrew Jordan said “Our last reading showed 12 inches of clear and hard ice.” What organizers don’t want to see is the weather forecast over the next couple of days show a warming trend High temperatures forecasted over the next seven days are not expected to climb higher than 36 degrees “It’s always a fun event for the family,” men’s club Secretary Jackie Borton said “Ice fishing is a great way for the kids to have some fun this weekend.” More: Freezing rain headed toward southern Michigan. What to expect this week The ice fishing contest featuring catches of pike, walleye, bluegill, crappie and perch goes from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Contest prizes, including cash, will be awarded at noon Sunday at Manitou Beach Marina Prizes are made possible through the Lakes Preservation League As an event that has been held for more than seven decades the Devils and Round Lake Tip-Up Festival hasn’t strayed too much each year from its lineup of activities and entertainment The goal of the three-day weekend festival is to celebrate the outdoor winter conditions on both land and lake and serve as an economic boost to the local businesses surrounding the lake the festival will carry local businesses through to the summer,” Jordan Sunday’s concluding event, the annual benefit auction at Highland Inn Auction raffle tickets are still available and can be purchased at local shops and establishments Proceeds raised from the auction will go toward community projects including Community for People in Need, computers for college-bound students, Christmas gift baskets, fireworks displays, Shop with a Cop program, Toys for Tots and other special needs funds for the community Here’s a list of daily events during Tip-Up Festival weekend Local businesses and shops will have deals specials and a variety of entertainment to check out: A tip-up is a device used in ice fishing to detect when a fish catches the bait without the angler needing to be in contact with the device a typical flag on the tip-up will either “tip up” or “tip down” to signal the angler that a fish is taking the bait Tip-ups generally suspend bait at a set depth in a hole that’s been drilled into the ice with an auger There are at least four distinct categories of commonly used types of tip-ups including cross-stick designs — Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LenaweeHeineman. The new police chief in Round Lake Beach is a 25-year department veteran who rose through the ranks who began his career as a community service officer in 2000 was selected by Mayor Scott Nickles with village board approval and sworn in Monday Rodriguez succeeds Wayne Wilde who retired April 17 Rodriguez became a sworn police officer in 2002 and subsequently served as field training supervisor investigations commander and since 2022 has been deputy chief overseeing support service and operations “Round Lake Beach has been a central part of who I am for more than half my life and I’m proud to serve as its chief,” he said He has served in a variety of specialized positions including gang specialist juvenile officer and accreditation manager Rodriguez received the Round Lake Beach Life Saving Award three times as well as numerous DUI enforcement awards He graduated from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and has a master’s degree in political science with a concentration in public administration and public policy Rodriguez said he aims to strengthen the department’s partnership with the community Nickles said Rodriguez’s experience is unmatched and commitment to the community unwavering “Ryan is a true homegrown talent who has served in nearly every aspect of policing in Round Lake Beach,” Nickles said “We’re confident the department is in great hands.” The village board has appointed a new police chief to serve on the Round Lake Beach Police Department following the retirement of Chief Wayne Wilde The Village of Round Lake Beach appointed Round Lake Beach Deputy Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez as the department’s new police chief Rodriguez was sworn in during the village board’s monthly meeting on Monday began his career in 2000 as a community service officer before becoming a sworn police officer in 2002 serving as a field training supervisor starting in 2012 investigations commander in 2020 and most recently deputy chief in 2022 “I am humbled by this opportunity that Mayor (Scott) Nickles and the Village Board have entrusted me with,” Rodriguez said “Round Lake Beach has been a central part of who I am for more than half of my life and I’m proud to serve as its chief,” Rodriguez said He has served as a special operations warrant service team member sexual assault investigator and accreditation manager Rodriguez has also served on the police pension board and has led officer development training within the department Rodriguez is a three-time recipient of the Round Lake Beach Life Saving Award and has received multiple DUI enforcement awards from Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) He graduated from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the ILETSB “Police Executive Role in the 21st Century” program Rodriguez also holds a master’s degree in political science with a concentration in public administration and public policy “I have witnessed great changes over the years in our community and I look forward to continuing the path retired Chief (Wayne) Wilde has led us on,” Rodriguez said “I aim to further strengthen our department’s partnership with the community as we move forward together,” he added Round Lake Beach Mayor Scott Nickles said the village is excited to have Rodriguez at the helm of the police department “Ryan is a true homegrown talent who has served in nearly every aspect of policing in Round Lake Beach his commitment to the community is unwavering We’re confident the department is in great hands,” Nickles said Rodriguez succeeds former Police Chief Wayne Wilde who retired from the department on April 17 A Texas-based developer wants to repurpose the empty fire-scarred Regal Cinemas in Round Lake Beach to a family entertainment center The proposal by Thakkar Developers of McKinney games and other activities at the former theater just south of the village municipal complex Regal in Round Lake Beach was among 39 U.S locations closed in early 2023 by parent company Cineworld Group Thakkar bought the freestanding theater in the Rollins Crossing shopping center at auction the village's economic development director “We spoke to them immediately after they won the auction,” Rivera said “We're very pleased with the new owners and they're very receptive.” The company was attracted to the village due to a combination of factors including a strong market analysis village support of the concept and proximity to other customer generating attractions Thakkar acquired the theater at the end of 2023 but plans were delayed and construction plans revised because of an arson fire in April 2024 that severely damaged parts of the building the 72,000-square-foot entertainment center also would feature ax throwing space for meetings and parties and potentially a multilevel indoor electric Go-Kart track Final plans were expected to be submitted this summer with an anticipated grand opening in 2026 attracting not only residents from our village but visitors from across Lake and McHenry counties,” Mayor Scott Nickles said Thakkar has major ongoing developments in Dallas including single and multifamily homes this project is Thakkar’s second family entertainment center concept and will be modeled after one under construction in a former theater in Irving Round Lake Beach officials toured that facility and were said to be impressed by the concept and potential for success Rivera said this project with the addition of new restaurants in development is a continuation of the village’s vision to enhance an “already vibrant retail and entertainment corridor.” A dog was found dead by firefighters after a fire that broke out and caused significant damage to a house in Round Lake Park Monday morning The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded around 9:30 a.m Monday to the 300 block of Clifton Drive in Round Lake Park for a report of a structure fire Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Jay VandeBerg said multiple people who saw smoke and flames coming from a home called 911 to report the incident Firefighters arrived and found flames showing from the rear of the single-family Firefighters pulled a hose line and had water on the fire within a couple of minutes Crews conducted a search of the house and found no one was home at the time of the fire firefighters found a dog that was pronounced dead The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes Wauconda and Gurnee fire departments assisted at the scene The McHenry and Antioch fire departments covered Round Lake fire stations during the incident A damage estimate was not immediately available VandeBerg said the American Red Cross is assisting the family that was displaced after the home was deemed uninhabitable No other homes were damaged and crews remained at the scene for approximately an hour and a half The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District and other area fire investigators Is there a particular issue that motivates you what makes you the best candidate for the position I am running for office because I believe in our community’s potential and the need for leadership that truly works for the people residents feel unheard by their government I will strengthen the relationship between the community and its leaders and ensure every decision reflects the people’s will I will also focus on reducing crime and making sure every citizen feels safe in their homes and neighborhoods working to strengthen law enforcement while building trust with the community I am committed to keeping our environment clean and ensuring our streets and public spaces are well-maintained and a vision for the future — one that prioritizes progress What is the most serious issue your community will face in coming years and how should leaders respond to it One of the most serious issues Round Lake Beach will face in the coming years is the growing division within the community and the disconnect between residents and their government it’s crucial for leaders to bridge these gaps and foster unity it creates an environment of mistrust that hinders progress Leaders must focus on increasing transparency and creating opportunities for open dialogue This will improve relationships between the government and its citizens 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 state of Round Lake Beach’s finances will require careful attention in the coming years With growth in both population and infrastructure needs it’s important to ensure we’re investing in long-term solutions while maintaining fiscal responsibility The top priorities for spending should focus on public safety with investments in community-driven programs that reduce crime and enhance neighborhood security What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address what project(s) can be put on the back burner The most important infrastructure project that needs to be addressed in Round Lake Beach is the improvement of our transportation network traffic congestion and deteriorating road conditions can lead to safety hazards and a decrease in overall quality of life for residents and equipped for future traffic demands should be a top priority Investing in this infrastructure will not only improve safety but also support the local economy by making it easier for businesses and residents to move around a mix of options such as utilizing local tax revenue pursuing grants for smaller-scale infrastructure projects and perhaps collaborating with the county or state for matching funds could help finance the necessary work Nonessential beautification projects or large-scale public event expansions could be put on the back burner they should not take priority over critical infrastructure needs that directly affect the daily lives and safety of our community Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board especially the village board to ensure that all voices are heard and that decisions are made collectively I’m a firm believer that leadership isn’t about making decisions alone but about bringing together different perspectives and creating solutions that benefit everyone so that all members of the board feel comfortable sharing their insights and concerns and residents can trust that their needs are being considered When leaders work together in a transparent and respectful manner they can come to decisions that reflect the community's values and priorities What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet One idea I have to better the community that isn’t being talked about yet is prioritizing the unification of Round Lake Beach and Round Lake (the Round Lake Communities) These communities share many common interests and face similar challenges By fostering stronger collaboration and partnership among these areas we can create a more cohesive region that works together to solve problems and improve the quality of life for all residents This unification could involve joint projects for local infrastructure improvements A unified approach would enhance our collective voice in discussions with county and state officials Strengthening connections between these communities could bring more attention to the region and create more opportunities for growth and development that benefit everyone more vibrant region that’s greater than the sum of its parts Village officials announced that the Rollins Crossing Shopping Center in Round Lake Beach has been purchased by a national firm that has plans for redevelopment of the center The Village of Round Lake Beach said Wednesday that the Rollins Crossing Shopping Center on Rollins Road near North East End Avenue has been sold to PMAT Companies a national real estate development firm based in New Orleans has invested in over two million square feet in suburban Chicago over the last 10 years PMAT Companies closed on the parcel last week and will begin development meetings with the Village of Round Lake Beach in April The parcels purchased include developments running from the vacant lot located next to Regal Theater to the eastern edge of the former Kmart store “We are genuinely excited to have PMAT come in to enhance the Rollins Crossing Shopping Center to make it more appealing to retailers and residents alike,” Round Lake Beach Mayor Scott Nickles said “We look forward to working with them on all the improvements and enhancements they plan to make,” Nickles said The Rollins Crossing Shopping Center purchase includes the outlot parcels occupied by Harbor Freight PMAT said the plans for the shopping center include renovated and updated parking lots lighting upgrades and other improvements aimed at attracting new businesses The village and PMAT say they also plan to work together to facilitate additional construction on developable land included in the purchase PMAT has over 100 transactions with an aggregate value of over $1.5 billion consisting of more than 13 million square feet across 15 states “Round Lake Beach has historically been an overlooked market despite a dense population and significant purchasing power,” said PMAT Companies President Kevin L “This market has a high potential and is prepared for significant activity We look forward to partnering with the Village of Round Lake Beach to improve the property and to bring our tenant partners to this community,” Kush said The vacant lot located between Regal Theaters and L.A Fitness in the Rolling Crossing Shopping Center is part of the purchase and due to be developed which is not included in the sale of the shopping center remains in court due to the village’s condemnation lawsuit Fire caused significant damage Monday evening to a single-family home in Round Lake Firefighters called to the scene at about 7:15 p.m arrived to find heavy flames coming from the rear and sides of a home on the 600 block of Nippersink Road according to the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District Initial reports indicated the fire started on an outside deck and spread up the back wall and into the home The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes but due to heavy damage crews remained for three more hours to locate extinguish and overhaul remaining hot spots The cause is being investigated but does not appear suspicious and Gurnee assisted at the scene and McHenry Township and Antioch departments covered Round Lake's fire stations and responded to other calls while the fire was being fought Round Lake Beach officials for the second time in recent weeks have announced planned redevelopments by out-of-town developers on a key commercial corridor has been sold to New Orleans-based PMAT Companies The purchase includes an empty lot between the former Regal Cinemas and LA Fitness and buildings to the west up to but not including the long vacant former Kmart store The sale also includes parcels on the property along Rollins Road occupied by Harbor Freight Plans for the center include renovated and updated parking lots lighting upgrades and other features designed to attract new business The real estate development and investment company has been acquiring and renovating shopping centers since 2003. According to the website PMAT has made transactions on about 14 million square feet of primarily grocery discount and fitness anchors in suburban open-air retail centers in 17 states company holdings include centers in Romeoville PMAT has relationships with Dick's Sporting Goods “Round Lake Beach has historically been an overlooked market despite a dense population and significant purchasing power,” PMAT President Kevin L “This market has a high potential and is prepared for significant activity including our planned redevelopment,” he added Specific stores for Round Lake Beach have not been announced but the company has plans for the vacant site and possibly other out lots “We're going to get one more nice-sized what they call a mini-anchor and they'll get the rest of the vacant spaces filled,” Nickles said the village announced Thakkar Developers wants to repurpose the empty Regal Cinemas to a family entertainment center one of the largest pizza chains in the Midwest announced plans to open its first suburban Chicago location just east of Rollins Crossing “It’s beautiful to know the community is getting noticed,” he said “Our goal is to bring excitement back to that (Rollins corridor) area.” which has been vacant 10 years or more on the western edge of Rollins Crossing The village has filed a condemnation suit but is hopeful the issue can be settled before it proceeds in court A family dog was killed Monday morning in a house fire in Round Lake Park Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District officials said they reported to the home at 300 block of Clifton Drive around 9:20 a.m The fire could be seen coming from two windows of the house They searched the home as they combated the fire No residents or first responders were injured It took firefighters approximately 30 minutes to extinguish the flames The cause of the fire is being investigated Saratoga County (WRGB) — The middle of the winter season brings with it the time when some local taverns and bars celebrate the winter folks can come and chill where these establishments have become styled and themed with ice - be it sculptures or otherwise We took a visit up to the Mill at Round Lake where they’ve put together an ice bar 8 out of the past 9 years The Mill’s Micheal Calligan says 6500 pounds of ice were used in creating the 30 ft long bar itself along with sculptures like the corn-hole styled snowflake toss and even a sculpture made to take selfies with He says the games make the ice bar more interactive for the patrons and adds to the fun experience of visiting their The Mill’s ice bar is open Fridays and Saturday from 1/31 through 2/15 A house under renovation sustained significant damage by a fire where firefighters were hampered by water and access issues in Round Lake Beach Saturday morning The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded around 6:30 a.m Saturday to the 1200 block of North Sunset Drive in Round Lake Beach for a report of a structure fire Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Tony Carraro said firefighters arrived to find a two-story single-family home under renovation with smoke showing from the roof Firefighters initially attempted to enter the home to extinguish the fire They found holes that burned through the first and second floors from the fire in the basement The front steps and rear deck had been removed for construction Carraro said fire crews also faced a broken fire hydrant and two water main breaks The incident was upgraded to a working still alarm and then to a box alarm through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) for additional resources The fire was extinguished in approximately an hour but firefighters remained on the scene for several hours checking for hidden fires and performing salvage operations Firefighters also worked to remove smoke and limit water damage The interior of the home sustained heavy fire The home was unoccupied during the fire and there were no injuries to firefighters Lake Zurich and Lake Forest fire departments assisted at the scene and covering Round Lake fire stations The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District IL — Two firefighters were injured in a blaze in Round Lake Monday night The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded to the house fire in the 600 block of Nippersink Road at about 7:15 p.m Monday and found heavy flames coming from the back and the sides of the single-family home according to a news release from the fire protection district Reports suggest the fire started on the deck of the house before spreading up the back wall and into the home Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control within 30 minutes The cause of the fire remains under investigation Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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A new rain garden at Round Lake Park will help manage rainwater runoff and prevent erosion while blending seamlessly into the natural environment Created as an Eagle project by Maxwell Amundson, an Eden Prairie High School junior and member of BSA Scout Troop 479 the rain garden is located on a slope below the ice hockey rinks The plant-edged rain garden will catch and temporarily hold rainwater filtering out pollutants that would otherwise end up in the lake Because rain gardens are designed to drain quickly and are they are not expected to attract mosquitoes Amundson approached the City of Eden Prairie to seek a collaboration for his Eagle project the last step required in the journey to become an Eagle Scout Amundson said his troop has a tradition of creating projects that are outdoors or provide environmental benefits the city’s forestry and natural resources supervisor helped him decide the project’s scope and process Amundson worked in partnership with Wittner and other city staff and Bennett Wimmer worked hard on the project with him Amundson said the site had already been sloped by an excavator when the new Round Lake Park building was constructed the city provided Amundson’s team with augers to further hollow out the rain garden space The city also provided native plants for the project as the rain garden doubles as a prairie restoration initiative Well-chosen plants can prevent soil erosion and attract wildlife “All of the water runoff from the new building and parking lot will get funneled down into the rain garden pond and the plant roots will help channel the water into the ground,” Amundson said the runoff will go down further into the groundwater Amundson said he hopes the project will help improve the water quality at Round Lake which in recent years has been troubled by low water levels and high levels of bacteria the city did not officially open the beach or provide lifeguards for swimming due to expected poor water quality Amundson explained that Eagle projects aim to provide service to a religious institution “They can’t benefit the Boy Scouts in any way Eagle projects are also the last major requirement needed to become an Eagle Scout Although most of the work is done on the rain garden except for plant maintenance Amundson is currently working to raise $2,500 to cover the cost of an educational sign to be installed nearby He said that the sign will explain what the rain garden is and include instructions on how to build one at home Once the project is finished, regional scout leaders at the Northern Star Council will evaluate Amundson’s results Amundson said his Scouting experience has been incredibly valuable allowing him not only to make friends and participate in fun activities like camping and adventure trips “The outings are really nice and we have a lot of fun but those are also designed to help people get used to responsibility and really prepare you for life.” Eden Prairie’s BSA Troop 479 welcomes new members from any race, ethnic background, gender, or orientation, according to the troop’s website Membership is open to youth ages 11 to 18 willing to accept Scouting’s values and meet membership requirements Prior experience as a Cub Scout is not necessary and people can join at any time during the year Lake County sheriff’s deputies used a Taser late Saturday to prevent a man from stabbing or injuring residents of a home near Round Lake faces three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and six counts of domestic battery according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office awaiting a detention hearing at which prosecutors will ask a judge to keep him in custody until trial Sheriff’s officials said an investigation showed Carranco-Salinas became enraged after a woman in the home rejected his advances and his offer of money in exchange for sexual favors After others in the home tried unsuccessfully to restrain him Carranco-Salinas grabbed a kitchen knife and began chasing people Deputies called to the home in the 35800 block of North Hillside Avenue arrived about 11:45 p.m. forced their way in and found several people running from Carranco-Salinas They located Carranco-Salinas at the top of a stairway armed with a knife with an approximately 9-inch blade and commanded him to drop the knife leading deputies to subdue him with a Taser ROUND LAKE — Local live theatre group JD Productions is nearing its Feb “Exit Laughing.” The show follows the friendship of four women who have been playing bridge together for several decades in the aftermath of a member’s passing the show will be a dinner theatre experience JD Productions co-founders Jeri Sirovy and Denise Wethor started the theatre troupe out of their mutual love for the performing arts “We wanted to have more opportunities to have plays produce plays and be in plays to hopefully encourage more people to participate too All the shows are just great entertainment It's a good way to get together with family We're very limited in the southwest Minnesota area and we just wanted to offer more.” Sirovy said the show is a return for them after taking a year-long sabbatical which included time for Wethor to prepare for her wedding they didn’t necessarily turn away from the performing arts during the break "We did a benefit fundraiser for (Round Lake Community Center manager) Becky Strandberg last year She has been phenomenal in supporting us," Sirovy said "Becky was diagnosed with cancer so as a payback to her and for all she's done for us She's a survivor and we are so very grateful.” Sirovy said the timing of their selection of "Exit Laughing" was deliberate as they show audiences the importance of love and friendship "I think the biggest reason for choosing the show to premiere on Valentine's weekend was that we always like to do something about relationships,” Sirovy said “It doesn't necessarily have to be a romantic relationship There's so many unexpected actions in this one "This is a great relationship story about friends and friends are so important in life," she added "I hope it shows them the value of friendship and how important friends are to each other even if you don't say it You need to know how dear you are to others.” Tickets can be purchased in advance and are available at Schaap Sanitation Round Lake City Hall or by calling (507) 841-1907 The Round Lake Beach police chief has announced he will be retiring this week following 28 years of service with the department with the mayor saying the chief will be “greatly missed.” Round Lake Beach Police Chief Wayne Wilde announced Wednesday he will be retiring on Thursday said it has been his “greatest honor to serve this outstanding community.” “I would like to thank the men and women of the Round Lake Beach Police Department for their hard work and dedication and to the RL Fire Protection District and CenCom E911 telecommunicators keep the citizens we serve safe,” Wilde said Wilde was hired in 1997 as a patrol officer before being promoted to sergeant in October 2007 He was promoted to commander in October 2014 and then named deputy chief in December 2016 Wilde was named chief of police after former chief Gil Rivera retired from the position in July 2022 “We are deeply grateful to Wayne for his many years of dedicated service to the Village of Round Lake Beach,” Round Lake Beach Mayor Scott Nickles said and incredible personality will be greatly missed at Village Hall We wish him all the best in whatever path he chooses next,” Nickles said Wilde was tapped to serve as the field training officer juvenile officer and as the law enforcement liaison with the Lake County Health Department “A Way Out” program A new police chief has not been announced yet by the village A resident was hospitalized after a fire engulfed the rear of a house in Round Lake and sent heavy smoke billowing into the sky Saturday afternoon The Fox Lake Fire Protection District and Round Lake Police Department responded around 2:30 p.m Saturday to the 2200 block of West Forest Cove Drive in Round Lake for a report of a structure fire A responding fire chief reported seeing a smoke header in the distance Firefighters arrived and encountered a single-family house with heavy smoke showing from the front The fire chief reported that the rear of the home was heavily involved in flames Firefighters initiated an aggressive attack on the fire stretching a hose line to the rear of the home The fire had extended into the attic and the walkout basement A second arriving fire crew deployed a second hose line inside the residence They conducted an initial search of the first floor and worked to extinguish the fire in the attic Fire officials said a third arriving fire crew deployed a third hose line performed a search and checked for fire extension The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes Firefighters remained on the scene to complete salvage and overhaul operations A resident was transported to the hospital Their condition was not released but they were stable at the time Round Lake and Wauconda fire departments assisted remains under investigation by the Fox Lake Fire Protection District The Round Lake Fire Protection District has announced the addition of its newest member a year-old chocolate lab that is a certified therapy dog The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District said Burny will provide comfort and support to firefighters and community members during times of stress and crisis “Burny will be a wonderful ambassador for the department helping us positively connect with the community He’ll be especially helpful in easing anxieties during community events and when children or others may be experiencing stress related to critical situations,” Fire Chief Greg Formica said Burny and his handler have undergone extensive training by TOPS in Dog Training of Grayslake The canine is certified as an assistance dog for public access based on criteria issued by Assistance Dogs International Burny will be available to first responders after critical incidents at community outreach events and at the fire station to provide a calming presence “We recognize the importance of mental health and well-being for our firefighters and the community we serve,” Formica said “Burny’s presence will be invaluable in providing comfort and support during challenging times,” the fire chief added Pet Supplies Plus has sponsored Burny’s food and other supplies for his lifetime The fire district said community members are invited to meet Burny at the agency’s annual open house in September Deputies arrested a Round Lake man accused of shooting a dog with an airsoft gun after the animal ran through his front yard The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 11:15 a.m last Wednesday to the 24300 block of West Tyler Avenue in unincorporated Round Lake Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said a call was received for someone shooting a BB gun at a dog and a house Sheriff’s deputies arrived and learned Andy E had been throwing rocks at a neighbor’s home Covelli said Paredes had also been shooting an airsoft gun at a small black and white dog that was running in his front yard The neighbor confronted Paredes about his actions and Paredes then threatened the neighbor with physical harm Covelli said deputies determined Paredes was shooting the airsoft gun at the dog because it got off its leash and was running through his front yard Deputies arrested Parades and charged him with animal cruelty The dog did not appear to have been injured by Paredes’ actions Paredes was released from the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 5 Two firefighters were injured while battling a fire that caused significant damage to a house The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded around 7:15 p.m Monday to the 600 block of West Nippersink Road in Round Lake for a report of a structure fire Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Charley Mitchell said firefighters arrived within two minutes of receiving the call They found heavy flames coming from the rear and sides of a single-family home Initial reports indicated the fire started on the exterior deck of the house before spreading up the back wall and into the home Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 30 minutes Fire crews remained on the scene for an additional three hours due to the significant damage as they worked to locate and extinguish remaining hidden fires Mitchell said the cause of the fire remains under investigation but does not appear suspicious in nature Two firefighters suffered minor injuries but no residents were injured in the blaze The home sustained heavy damage and a damage estimate was not immediately available Libertyville and Gurnee fire departments assisted at the scene Lake Zurich and Antioch fire departments covered Round Lake’s fire stations and responded to other calls during the incident will be opening its first suburban Chicago location in Round Lake Beach Rollins Road adjacent to the Meijer parking lot and behind McDonald’s and Arby’s in the Mallard Creek shopping center Founded in 1981 with its first location in Hull the chain has more than 210 restaurants in 14 states It’s known for its all you can eat “Buffet Your Way” concept featuring a selection of pizzas Locations are considered family destinations with a variety of specials and also feature a FunZone Arcade with games for adults and kids The Round Lake Beach Pizza Ranch will be the ninth in Illinois It’s planned for 8,000 square feet with seating for 200 and private party rooms available by reservation 2,400 square feet is slotted for the FunZone Arcade It will feature the newest architectural design with an updated lighting package Oestmann is part of Grassroots Management LLC which owns and operates 36 — soon to be 40 — Pizza Ranches Pizza Ranches are in southern and western Illinois and include sites in Springfield Roscoe near Rockford and Shorewood near Joliet We’re used to building in Iowa and Wisconsin,” Oestmann said Grass Roots is expanding its holdings but the decision to locate in Round Lake Beach was prompted after a weekend getaway road trip with family by Mayor Scott Nickles Nickles said they stopped at a Pizza Ranch in the Wisconsin Dells area and “the kids loved it.” The family stopped at another Pizza Ranch in Elkhorn on the way home and Nickles spoke with the manager ‘We’d love to have something like this in our town the company contacted the village and were shown several properties that were for sale the property owner had a letter of intent and the process began “There’s a huge demographic in Round Lake Beach,” Oestmann said it would take about a year to get to the groundbreaking stage Oestmann said due to an extended process of finalizing construction bids and completing the design Pizza Ranch does not serve alcohol and has a Christian-based philosophy of giving back to communities “They're ecstatic about being in town,” Nickles said “This will truly bring people from all around.” The location also will contribute to village plans to create a restaurant/retail/entertainment area A 31-year-old Round Lake Beach man was charged with reckless homicide and DUI after the car he was driving crashed into a house on Christmas Eve The Lake County sheriff’s office said officers responding to the crash at about 7:25 p.m Tuesday near Lake Villa found driver Marcos Corona-Vargas and a backseat passenger seriously injured and a front-seat passenger Corona-Vargas and the other passenger were taken to the hospital The Lake County sheriff’s department said witnesses reported that a Jeep was driving east on West Engle Drive in unincorporated Lake Villa before crossing into the westbound lane and then back to the eastbound the Jeep drove off the roadway and into a yard before crashing into a home but authorities said the house sustained major damage Authorities said Corona-Vargas was driving under the influence of alcohol when the crash occurred he will be transported to the Lake County jail The FBI and detectives arrested two brothers on Wednesday and charged them with murder in connection with the fatal shooting and robbery of a 17-year-old boy in Round Lake were both charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery The two suspects were arrested Wednesday morning after law enforcement converged on a residence in the 800 block of Richard Brown Boulevard in Volo Members of the FBI’s Violent Crime and Fugitive Task Force along with the Round Lake Police Department made the arrests Round Lake Police Chief Dave Prus said Demarion Gibert and Damone Gibert are both brothers The 17-year-old is being charged as an adult The two previously resided in Round Lake Beach and recently moved to the home on Richard Brown Boulevard in Volo where they were arrested The charges against the two stem from a shooting and armed robbery that occurred on the evening of October 4 Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli said at the time that officers in the Round Lake area began a search around 8:20 p.m that evening after receiving a 911 call from a cellphone A Round Lake Beach police officer located a black Mercedes at the Citgo gas station on the corner of Cedar Lake Road and Rollins Road in Round Lake Beach Officers saw the Mercedes had been damaged by gunfire and found Chad Greenenwald The boy was not breathing and officers began performing CPR after calling for the fire department Greenenwald was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where he was pronounced dead An autopsy showed Greenenwald died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek Covelli said a further investigation showed Greenenwald was a passenger in the vehicle that sustained the gunshot damage It was determined the shooting occurred in the area of Midland Drive and Sycamore Drive in Round Lake along with Greenenwald and a third occupant approached the group in the parked Mercedes Prus said indications pointed to the meetup being drug-related Multiple shots were fired at the car and Greenenwald was struck by the gunfire The suspects stole personal property from the victims and fled the scene The driver of the Mercedes drove to the Round Lake Beach gas station where officers located the vehicle and Greenenwald The Round Lake Police Department and Lake County Major Crime Task Force began the more than one-year investigation into the homicide The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office FBI and Round Lake Park Police Department assisted “The thoroughness and dedication of the Round Lake Detectives led to the development of two suspects,” Prus said Wednesday Greenenwald’s aunt Toni Barycki said at the time of the boy’s death that the family’s hearts “literally feel broken.” From the tiny baby who couldn’t wait to be born and came to his own baby shower to the amazing young man who spent his last summer working so hard,” Barycki said “You will always be the big hearted young man who loves deeply and didn’t have enough time to do all the amazing things I know you would have done,” Barycki said “The tragic and sudden loss of Chad has left us with no words to express our sorrow,” she added Arrest warrants charging the Gibert brothers were obtained before the two were taken into custody on Wednesday Demarion Gibert and Damone Gibert are both set to make initial court appearances on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning This article was developed using publicly available information Police are warning residents in the Round Lake Beach area after fake flyers were placed on doors seeking access to inspect people’s homes The Round Lake Beach Police Department said Thursday that they are investigating a suspicious incident Police said a solicitor-type door hanger was distributed it has no association with the Village of Round Lake Beach’s water department The door hanger lists “Water Testing Center” at the bottom which is not a real company or government agency The Village of Round Lake Beach has not received any solicitor permit registration for anything similar to it The door hanger says “Water control inspection Sorry we missed you” and lists the family’s name and house address The door hanger asks that the resident call a number associated with an 855 area code within the next three days Police said they called the phone number but the call was ended once the police department identified themselves as officers It is unclear what the motive behind the door hangers are but police in Lake County routinely remind the public to be aware of ruse burglaries Ruse burglaries are crimes in which an offender or offenders use a ruse to distract the victim in order to gain access to a home and burglarize it Police say residents should not allow anyone in their home unless they know them personally or it is a scheduled appointment A judge denied pre-trial release to two brothers charged after prosecutors say multiple gunmen surrounded a car robbed the occupants and fatally shot a 17-year-old boy in Round Lake Round Lake Police Chief David Prus said Demarion Gibert and Damone Gibert are both brothers Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeffrey Facklam said Chad Greenenwald and two others went to the area of Diamond Jubilee Park near Midland Drive and Sycamore Drive in Round Lake on the evening of October 4 The three were in a black Mercedes and had arranged a pre-planned meetup with others approached the car on foot and surrounded the Mercedes Facklam said at least three suspects were armed with guns and immediately demanded money and property from the victims At least two gunmen opened fire and one of the suspects shot Greenenwald leaving him with a gunshot wound to the chest The Mercedes and the suspects both fled the area after approximately five shots were fired Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli said officers in the Round Lake area began a search around 8:20 p.m A Round Lake Beach police officer located the black Mercedes at the Citgo gas station on the corner of Cedar Lake Road and Rollins Road in Round Lake Beach Officers saw the Mercedes had been damaged by gunfire and they found Greenenwald critically injured The Round Lake Police Department and Lake County Major Crime Task Force began a more than one-year investigation into the incident Facklam said one of the victims of the Mercedes was interviewed and recognized the Gibert brothers as being involved The victim only knew of them from school but did not know their names The victim provided police with their social media accounts Demarion Gibert and Damone Gibert were with two others in June when they led the Skokie Police Department on a multi-jurisdiction chase The four fled from the stolen car and Demarion Gibert and Damone Gibert were both arrested Facklam said both brothers had backpacks in their possession and the backpacks each had two guns in them One of the guns from Demarion Gibert’s backpack and one of the guns from Damone Gibert’s backpack were linked to the Round Lake homicide and robbery Investigators also found messages with a significant other of Demarion Gibert where he mentioned committing a robbery with his brother Demarion Gibert also told the female he loves her in case he goes to jail Facklam said Demarion Gibert also had messages on his phone about what was stolen from the Round Lake homicide and robbery for an unlawful possession of a firearm case out of Schaumburg Arrest warrants charging the Gibert brothers were obtained in December and the two were taken into custody on Wednesday Facklam said Damone Gibert admitted following his arrest that he was in the park at the time of the Round Lake homicide and robbery He also admitted there was a robbery to investigators but he minimized his role in the incident Demarion Gibert and Damone Gibert appeared on Friday afternoon for detention hearings after the state’s attorney’s office filed petitions to detain them Lake County Judge James Newman granted both of the petitions and remanded the Gibert brothers held in custody pending trial Damone Gibert is being held in Hulse Juvenile Detention Center in Vernon Hills and Demarion Gibert is being held in the Lake County Jail in Waukegan Greenenwald’s aunt Toni Barycki said at the time of Greenenwald’s death that the family’s hearts “literally feel broken.” The Gibert brothers are scheduled to appear in court again on February 5 for a preliminary hearing 2025 at 1:39 pm CSTExpandOfficer Erik Navarrete has been named the Round Lake Police Department’s officer of the year for 2024 (Photo provided by the Village of Round Lake) ROUND LAKE – Erik Navarrete has been named the Round Lake Police Department’s Officer of the Year for 2024 Navarrete has been with the Round Lake Police Department for five years and is assigned to patrol on Bravo Night Shift where he acts as an officer-in-charge and field training officer Navarrete assumes the role of shift supervisor when the sergeant is not working which occurred several months last year because of training Navarrete also is trusted with the responsibility of training and mentoring newly hired police officers during their field training Navarrete has volunteered for and completed training as a drug recognition expert This highly specialized training makes him part of a select group of officers throughout Lake County who are certified as drug recognition experts He also is a member of the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team as a drug recognition expert responding to the most serious vehicle crashes throughout the county Navarrete is strongly committed to the mission of the Round Lake Police Department as demonstrated by attitude Shaw Local News NetworkShaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network Previous offices held: Police Pension Board 2002-03 I plan on putting Round Lake Park on the map to progress Finish projects left incomplete and attract businesses to our town even though we have limited commercial growth potential I believe our financial status is unstable Having a mayor's assistant with a town population of 7,600 stop putting band aids on structures that need to be rebuilt We need to apply for federal grants to install speed cameras at the entrances of our town Round Lake Park needs a new police station located in town Mano a Mano Family Resource Center needs a larger facility I have a vision for Main Street that has been left on the back burner for more than 20 years with no vision of growth Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council Round Lake Park has always been a can-do town but the mayors never got involved with the people to do so It's easy to waste money when it’s not your own As I go through town there's people today who still don't know who the mayor is after 12-plus years in this position First of all to have a strong village board Merge our North and South corridors together (Saddlebrook and the town of Round Lake Park) develop the southwest corridor of Saddlebrook Farms to bring in commercial business Right now many Saddlebrook residents have never been in the our main town since moving into the private community and yet they write the town’s destiny when it comes to voting Officials say a suspect was captured while trying to leave the country while being wanted for sexually assaulting a family member following a Thanksgiving gathering in Round Lake Beach Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Kathy Laughlin said the Round Lake Beach Police Department responded to a report of a sexual assault victim who was at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville The victim reported she was at her aunt’s house on Thanksgiving Day for a family celebration handed the victim her first drink of the night The victim continued to drink throughout the night and she went to check on her young son who was in the basement She felt sick at that point and went to the bathroom One of the woman’s cousins went to the basement to help the victim The cousin and someone else helped carry the victim to the couch where she fell asleep The victim reported she remembered opening her eyes and saw someone on top of her under a blanket She initially thought it was her young son jumping on top of her Laughlin said the woman then woke up again to hear one of her family members yelling The victim heard pants buttoning up and learned Torres was on top of her after the family member yelled at the man She was naked from the waist down but told officers she had been fully clothed before going to sleep felt the room spinning and fell back asleep after getting dressed She underwent a sexual assault exam which showed she suffered an internal injury Officers reviewed the victim’s phone and found two messages from Torres would not be drinking again and that he was moving to Texas Laughlin said Torres also later told the family member who caught him that it was a “mistake” what had happened Torres was charged with attempted criminal sexual assault An arrest warrant was issued for him on December 6 Investigators learned that Torres bought tickets to Mexico and had planned to leave within a few days Police arrested Torres just after midnight on December 7 at O’Hare International Airport The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Torres pending trial arguing he poses a threat to the community and is a willful flight risk Prosecutors called him an “untreated sex offender” who took advantage of a victim who was unable to give consent Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted the petition following a detention hearing on Tuesday is set to appear in court again on January 9 Round Lake firefighters responded to a fire at Northway 11 Apartment complex on Monday Ballston Lake firefighters battled blaze Monday Ballston Lake firefighters battled blaze Monday Feb ROUND LAKE — Five people were displaced following a Monday fire at the Northway 11 Apartment Complex in Round Lake Round Lake Fire Department responded at 3:47 p.m to the call of a structure fire at the complex according to a social media post by the fire department they found heavy fire coming from one of the units and a common attic area Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Reporter Shenandoah Briere can be reached at sbriere@dailygazette.net WILTON - Two people were taken to the hospital with injuries Wednesday morning after a two-vehicle collision on a high-speed section of Route … Email notifications are only sent once a day 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 A Round Lake man was among more than 100 arrested by ICE over the weekend in the Chicagoland area as federal agencies were spotted in Lake County amid “enhanced targeted operations.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said that they began conducting “enhanced target operations” in Chicago on Sunday ICE said the operations are to enforce United States immigration law and “preserve public safety.” ICE also said the operations aim to keep “potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities.” The agency reported 956 arrests and 554 detainers lodged in a single day on Sunday but did not say where in the U.S Video released by ICE showed agents knocking on doors in the Chicago area and arresting people ICE said they are being assisted by other federal partners Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said more than 100 people in the Chicago area have been arrested in the past week, according to CBS News Waukegan resident Yelitza Marquina told ABC7 Chicago that ICE arrested her 44-year-old father at his home in Waukegan early Sunday morning “For them to just take him like that,” Marquina said “They opened the door because they thought and I can’t really imagine little kids whose families are breaking apart because of this,” she said The Chicago Tribune reported a Round Lake man was arrested by ICE over the weekend as well “The family of the Round Lake man hired a lawyer for him,” Mano a Mano Family Resource Center Executive Director Dulce Ortiz told the Tribune but now it’s a blitz and people are unnerved,” Ortiz said Video and photos posted on social media by residents over the weekend showed federal agencies in Lake County ICE said they arrested 1,179 people and lodged 853 detainers on Monday in the U.S The agency reported they made 969 arrests and lodged 869 detainers on Tuesday across the country the “border czar” for President Donald Trump was in Chicago over the weekend to oversee the operations Homan recently told ABC News that every undocumented immigrant should worry they could be arrested at any time “There’s consequences [for] entering the country illegally If we don’t show there’s consequences you’re never going to fix the border problem,” Homan said Officials have said they will first focus on those who pose a threat to public safety and national security “We can all agree we that must remove dangerous individuals who are here illegally But the actions being taken by the Trump admin go beyond those goals,” U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) “stand” with the immigrant community and their offices are ready to “help those improperly caught up in these raids.” Office sought: Round Lake Unit District 116 board (Vote for 3) Occupation: College professor and business consultant I have lived in the Round Lake area since I was 4 years old I went through the Round Lake Area school system from K-12 and students within the district in various ways I have seen some of the needs in all of these areas I want to be a voice for the Latino student population in the district with initiatives that will be equitable for them and the student body What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum The school board’s role is to provide strategic oversight and foster a collaborative and equitable environment where the curriculum is continually reviewed and refined to meet the evolving needs of students and the community Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board There are several curriculum issues I would like to pay attention in particular I would like to look into the e-learning days and review the process to make sure the current format are equitable for students Also I would like to look into the curriculum and resources that are provided to English as a New Language students Another issue I would like to look into would be to review college preparation programs available to students perhaps starting from middle school ages How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular give a voice to constituents — even ones with whom you disagree I see my role as a balance between decisive leadership and inclusive dialogue guidance when the evidence and long-term interests of our community demand it I’m committed to listening to all voices — even those I disagree with — to ensure that policies and curriculum changes reflect the diverse needs and perspectives of our constituents While state authorities offer essential guidelines I view my local leadership role as one that interprets and implements those guidelines in ways that best serve our community This means navigating controversies with transparency Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage school district policy Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions for your school board Even though I do not have experience in working within K-12 district policy I do have experience in working in educational environments such as higher education I have been part of many committees and task forces that have developed policies within organizations I do not have any issues collaborating or working in a group setting As long as the group is committed to make decisions that will be for the better of all students and the district there should be no issues What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs I believe that there is always room for improvement in all areas I believe that the diversity and equity efforts and programs should continue to be enhanced I truly believe that all work that is done should be equitable for all students We have a community of faculty and staff that will only benefit from this work to better serve the student body and parents/families What makes you the best candidate for the job Being part of the Round Lake community for most my life I do see the needs of the community I want to be a voice that represents the student body as a whole on the board of education that is leading the educational efforts for them The Round Lake community is dear to my heart and I want to be able to give back to a community that has given me and my family so much What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet Promote the recruiting of a large pool of highly qualified staff and teachers that meet students needs and care for the success of the student body.