On April 29 staff members of the Vernon Hills golf course and representatives from KemperSports Management proudly announced the grand opening of the new practice putting green and short game training area Designed by renowned golf course architect Todd Quitno to replace the smaller oval putting green (approx putting green began during the week of June 17 With multiple chipping areas to the enlarged practice green is located adjacent to the clubhouse and the course’s number one tee Under the guidance of golf course superintendent & KemperSports Midwest Regional Agronomist the project was completed within 11 months while encountering the sometimes unusual twists and turns of Midwest weather The new putting green is comprised of 007XL bentgrass which has been designated as a class of “Super Bents” This variety will produce a turf showing greater disease resistance and lower fungicide use; it has finer leaves and a denser turf that is more tolerant to close mowing former Vernon Hills Village President Roger Byrne initially stated “Vernon Hills Golf Course has been committed to player development for the last 40+ years The creation of this short game facility shows our continued commitment to enhance the player development opportunities at the course.” And thus the theme of ‘building the game of golf’ was echoed by all the speakers at this 2025 introductory celebration. B.R. Koehnemann, Director of Corporate Communications for KemperSports introduced KemperSports Vice President Vince Juarez who stated “Industry trends continue to shift towards alternative forms of golf This addition to Vernon Hills adds to that trend.” Recently elected Village of Vernon Hills president, Thom Koch, Jr., emphasized that “building a 16,000 square foot practice green at our Vernon Hills golf course is the best way that we can help to build the game of golf.” The April 29 gathering included a ceremonial ribbon cutting and first putt(s) for the new putting green There are 9 holes cut into the new putting green which have flags numbered 10 through 18 thus producing the name “The Back 9 at the Muni Vernon Hills Golf Course” Village President Koch expressed thanks to the un-named golfing patron whose suggestion led to moniker There is no charge to use the practice green and scorecards are available to record your score for the nine hole routing on the putting green About Vernon Hills Golf Course: Back in 1957 developers Barney Loeb and Quinn Hogan bought 120 acres south of Route 45 and east of Butterfield Road near the small town of Indian Creek for $60,000 and an 18-hole golf course called Tally Ho Country Club Tally Ho CC existed for about twenty years but ultimately closed with part of the land partitioned and sold as homesites while the remaining land and old Tally Ho CC clubhouse was donated to the established and incorporated Village of Vernon Hills this remaining land was transformed into the 9-hole Vernon Hills Golf Course designed Vernon Hills GC and the new course opened to the public in August The Vernon Hills GC is now managed by KemperSports; the golf course features narrow bluegrass fairways and small bentgrass greens The terrain at VHGC is rolling with a creek that meanders into play on seven holes The modern full-service clubhouse that opened in the spring of 1996 offers a varied lunch menu served all day and a full-service bar; the 16,100 square foot practice putting green and swing cage adjacent to the #1 tee allow golfers the opportunity for warm-up before their round The most notable feature of The Muni at Vernon Hills GC is the elevated tee on hole #7 show that the altitude of VHGC’s #7 green is 682 feet above sea level and the #7 tee is 727 feet above sea level producing a drop of exactly 45 feet from tee to green with a pond spanning nearly the entire distance from tee to green complex Vernon Hills Golf Course has been ranked as one of the Top Ten Best nine hole courses in the Chicagoland area (Number #6 in the Chicago Golf Report rankings.) Greg Miles has been a writer following golf in Chicago since 1990 For the past 32 years he has been a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and currently is classified as a GWAA "Life Member" He played his first round of golf on his 11th birthday and since then has played more than 7,400 rounds of golf in his lifetime at 520 different courses He has interviewed more than 280 golfers across all the professional tours along with famous celebrity golfers he is a member of several other competitive and honorary golf associations More that two years after an initial meeting with village officials Raising Cane's restaurant is expected to receive the green light to take the spot once occupied by a Jameson's Charhouse in Vernon Hills The chicken tender franchise’s drive-through flame and “One Love” signs were stricken from the plan but the namesake sunglasses-wearing dog image will remain on an exterior wall the village board has determined pending final approval of the project Village leaders favored the proposal from the start but had questions about potential issues with traffic flow The rapidly expanding chain opened 118 new stores last year and has about 700 nationwide with Arlington Heights and Gurnee the closest to Vernon Hills Raising Cane's initially inquired about the site at 151 Townline Road (Route 60) in Vernon Hills in February 2023 Village staff requested approval from the neighboring Bears Fit gym because the properties share access from Lakeview Parkway in a two-tenant subdivision without a traffic signal Bears Fit opened in 2019 in the former Sports Authority space a proposal to demolish the Jameson's the make way for a Raising Cane's with a two-lane drive through was presented to the village board in May 2024 Trustees at the time said the high-volume drive through could create congestion near Lakeview Parkway and vehicles traversing the parking lot could be hazardous for pedestrians After a revised traffic study and several design modifications a village consultant and staff concurred the site could be developed without significant congestion or hazardous conditions the village’s planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the project with several conditions including the removal of two planned signs construction is expected to begin in January with an opening date of November 2026 2024 at 11:00 am CSTExpandHacienda Real will open in the former Chili's location in Vernon Hills in the spring of 2025 The other two Hacienda Real locations are in Geneva and Yorkville A family-owned Mexican-themed restaurant plans to open this spring in the former Chili’s Grill & Bar in Vernon Hills Hacienda Real this week received village approvals to paint the brick and add an accent wall around the main entrance of the vacant Chili’s, 371 W. Townline Road (Route 60) west of Aspen Drive. The location in the Aspen Pointe commercial and residential area will be the third for Hacienda Real, which also operates in Geneva and Yorkville and is one of several concepts owned and operated under different names by the Aréchiga family. Those include El Jefe in Aurora, Verde Flavors of Mexico and others in Indianapolis, Tia Carmen and Revolucion Mexican Steakhouse in Geneva, and Salsa Verde in St. Charles and Yorkville. “What they have in common is that they all focus on Mexican food,” said Carlos Aréchiga, a co-owner with his brothers and father. “Some are more fast casual, others are geared toward night and entertainment.” The Geneva and Yorkville locations share the motto “where every dish tells an authentic story.” The focus is on quality ingredients, traditional recipes and an atmosphere that celebrates the richness of Mexican culture, Aréchiga added. Paella de Mariscos is one of the dishes to be prepared at the new Hacienda Real, 1602 Commons Dr., Geneva. (Photo provided by Carlos Aréchiga) Aréchiga said Hacienda Real differs from traditional chains by offering an authentic casual dining experience that feels warm and personal and creates a connection with guests. “We saw an opportunity to bring something unique that honors Mexican traditions while offering a modern, elevated experience, and we knew this city would embrace the spirit of Hacienda Real,” he said. The plan is to continue expanding its different brands to the North suburbs, he added. Chili’s, which operated in Vernon Hills for many years, closed about two years ago. Hacienda Real joins a number of new restaurant brands and offerings that either have opened or are planned in Vernon Hills. The double-digit number of arrivals was sparked by the opening of the Mellody Farm center in 2018 and has accelerated with the ongoing redevelopment of the Hawthorn mall property across Milwaukee Avenue to the west. “We chose Vernon Hills for Hacienda Real because it’s a vibrant community that values culture, creativity and great food and drinks — exactly what we aim to celebrate,” Aréchiga said. The former Chili’s building will be kept in its original form but will be painted in a cream color called alabaster with polished porcelain in a dark-green juniper color. “It’s in our best interest to make it look amazing and appealing,” he explained to the village board. “It’s bold but we guarantee it’s going to look really nice.” With the facade changes approved, renovation inside and out will continue with a possible spring opening. Mick Zawislak has covered Lake County for the Daily Herald since 2002 as well as the PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship Qualifying gets underway at noon Eastern (11 a.m All qualifying and match play rounds will be livestreamed on BowlTV EJ Tackett, coming off a sensational effort to win the U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling who leads the tour in points through two events would move into a tie with Brian Voss for 11th all time with a win Graham Fach won the season opener before earning a ninth-place finish last week The Canadian-born lefty ranks second in points and is off to what could be a career-best season Andrew Anderson and Jakob Butturff earned the top seed in the season’s first two events but both players came up short in the title match The highly anticipated Rookie of the Year race has lived up to expectations so far Cam Crowe leads all first-year players in points and this week will be competing close to his home of Orland Park Hayden Stippich kept pace with the two decorated youngsters in Delaware Kris Prather and Andrew Anderson have to be considered among the favorites this week Not only are they the event’s defending champions Open nearly wire to wire while Prather finished seventh Other former PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship include Sean Rash and Matt Ogle Brothers-in-law Matt Russo and Nick Pate will team up The saga of Chris and Ryan Barnes has been a prevailing storyline this season but they won’t be the only father-son duo sharing the lanes this week Wes Malott and his son Jordan are also competing together The Barnes bested the Malotts during the PBA King of the Lanes: Royal Family Edition in 2022 All players will bowl 18 games of qualifying on the 42-foot Carmen Salvino oil pattern beginning on Tuesday morning Qualifying games will count towards both the PBA Owen’s Illinois Classic and PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship The top 24 individuals will advance to PBA Owen’s Illinois Classic elimination match play The four winners in the Round of 8 will advance to the stepladder finals as will the highest-seeded loser in that round The PBA Owen’s Illinois Classic stepladder finals will air live on FS1 at 8 p.m In the PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship the top 16 doubles teams will advance to round robin match play Sixteen games of baker match play will determine the five teams advancing to the championship round The PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship stepladder finals will be taped Saturday Top 24 individuals advance to PBA Owen’s Illinois Classic elimination match playTop 16 doubles teams advance to PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship round robin match play — Elimination Match Play - Round of 24 (best-of-seven games) — Elimination Match Play - Round of 16 (best-of-seven games)6 p.m — Elimination Match Play - Round of 8 (best-of-seven games) — Round Robin Match Play (eight games)6 p.m — PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship stepladder finals (taped) 7 p.m — PBA Owen’s Illinois Classic stepladder finals (live) More information on the PBA Owen’s Illinois Classic is available here.More information on the PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship is available here © 2023 PBA. All Rights Reserved  IL — The Vernon Hills Park District will host its annual kite fly day next weekend at Century Park The free family event will be held at Century Park The event supports the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ “Flying 4 Kids” program which promotes the sale of park district license plates that feature a kite design Proceeds from the sale of kite themed license plates support after school programming Those stopping out can bring their own kite or purchase one at the event for $10 Those attending can park at the Century Park boat dock shelter parking lot and walk up to the island picnic shelter The program is free and does not require registration Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Piles of trees and scrub may look like a bad storm hit a portion of the Gregg's Landing neighborhood in Vernon Hills but it’s actually prep work for the final phase of a stream restoration project Clearing brush and undesirable trees is the first stage of a $2.87 million project to stabilize and restore about a half mile of the Seavey drainage ditch from Hazeltime Drive to Lake Charles “We've been seeing severe erosion along the channel which is depositing sediment in Lake Charles,” said Chris Venatta “This is a well designed stormwater facility and the sediment is throwing that function off,” he added The village has been working with the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission the past several years on a master plan to restore the channel stream bank and shoreline and remove sediment at the delta where it flows into Lake Charles The bulk of the funding is from an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant administered by the stormwater management commission The village and Vernon Hills Park District are partners and will contribute $287,000 and $100,000 respectively Lake Charles is part of a regional stormwater network The project is intended to improve water quality in the Seavey Ditch and the lake The Seavey drainage ditch originates in Mundelein flows through Lake Charles into Indian Creek and onto the Des Plaines River A portion of the restoration east of Hazeltime Drive was completed a few years ago Most of the vegetation is invasive buckthorn which restricts plant growth the stream banks will be graded with gentler slopes and the bottoms protected with stone to prevent future erosion the stream banks will be seeded and planted with native vegetation with longer Tree clearing for road and other projects in Illinois needs to be complete by March 30 to protect the potential habitat of the Northern Long Eared Bat The timing resulted in a pause in the project pending permit approval but it will resume soon Trucks will remove excavated soil and deliver materials and the project is expected to generate noise and dust Trucks routes generally will be limited to certain roads such as Huntington Drive Erosion and sediment issues were identified in 2012 by a Lake County Health Department report and also in a Lake Charles water quality improvement study by consultant Christopher B The village has been trying to inform the public about the pending project for about the last year and a half 2025 at 1:34 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Currently the closest Raising Cane's in the area is in Gurnee IL — Vernon Hills could soon get the green light to allow Raising Cane's officials to move forward with bringing a news restaurant to town On April 2, the village's planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the project. The recommendations comes nearly two years after Raising Cane's first met with village officials regarding opening up in a space once occupied by Jameson's Charhouse at 151 Townline Road Village officials have voiced concerns about traffic flow but now after a revised traffic study and several design modifications were completed staff and a village consultant seem on board with bringing the project to fruition If the project does receive the village's final stamp of approval construction could get underway early next year More via the Daily Herald When Maine West softball co-coaches Chris Addante and Jim Dvorak watched their team claim an undefeated Central Suburban North championship in 2024 the Warriors closest call in eight games was a 2-1 decision with Vernon Hills Those two teams opened play in the CSL North on Tuesday and it was yet another 1-run decision as the host Warriors held on for a 6-5 decision to remain undefeated on the season 6-0 "It's always a great game every time we play them 0-1) got off to a great start scoring 3 runs in the top of the first thanks to Lily Kozin's two-out RBI ground-rule double which rolled under the center field fence followed by Ryley Bautista's sharply hit 2-run single to left center that scored Kozen and Izzy Loiben But West answered right back with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning when Ily Nanthavinh and Abi Garcia started with walks followed by Kara Lindenmuth's bunt single to load the bases McKayla Garnett then belted a 2-run double to center field to make it 3-2 before senior pitcher Kaittyn Marsh's sacrifice fly to center brought home the tying run West then completed its scoring with 3 runs in the bottom of the second Sammi Mattson and Nanthavinh hit back-to-back two-out singles to left before Garcia belted the game-winning RBI with a home run over the left-center fence on the first pitch she saw so I was just looking to make some solid contact," said Garcia "That's always the mindset I have.going up to the plate hit it solid and kept it on a line all the way out," Addante said of Garcia's third homer of the season And then in her next at-bat she just hit a smash and their shortstop made a great back-hand play on it But that's all we can ask — put a barrel on the ball and hit the ball hard." If it falls Marsh did not give up another run until the sixth when cleanup hitter Annie Zbylut led off with a first-pitch homer to left field to make it 6-4 8 hitter and pitcher Gia Gossetr came through with a two-out RBI single to right center to make it 6-5 Whitewater pledge Marsh had to bear down in the top of the seventh "I just went out there trusting my defense," she said "I knew my defense would get me the last outs ground out to Lindemuth (2-for-3) at second base and a pop out to Garcia at short got the job done for Marsh "Kaitlyn battled on the mound for us," Addante said "It was a hitter's day so both pitchers had to battle and work the ball in and out and mix it up Kaitlyn was able to grind out a tough win." "She's (Marsh) tough but we didn't make good selections," said Vernon Hills coach Jan Pauly "We took too many pitches and got behind in too many counts and you can't do that against a good pitcher." Sophomore Gossett gave up 6 hits while striking out four "She's a sophomore and it's her first year on varsity," Pauly said Loiben reached base three times with a first-inning single and two walks She also got robbed when her hard shot hit off the third baseman's glove and ended up a nifty 5-6-3 defensive play by West "We went two innings (fourth and fifth) without a base runner and we talked about how we needed to get runners on base every inning to beat these good teams," Pauly added We just needed a little something else in those innings to make something happen." "The conditions were a little difficult today for both sides with the wind gusting and the cold weather," Addante said "But we both had to play through it and both teams made some big plays and had some great hits." A wandering wild turkey stirred excitement and an unusual call for service to the Vernon Hills Police Department last weekend at a Menard's home improvement store Saturday reporting that a turkey was running loose inside the big-box store at 1860 Milwaukee Ave Whether it walked in with a customer or activated the automatic door itself isn't known When officers arrived they found the turkey strolling through the paint section just inside the entrance the bird traveled from the store’s first floor to the second floor then back to the first before it eventually was captured in the men's restroom by officers using a large net Vernon Hills police crime prevention officer The turkey later was released to a marshy/wetlands area just north of the Menards and our officers are not accustomed to catching turkeys,” Hemesath noted “Our officers generally deal with stray cats and dogs but never a wild turkey A growing Mexican restaurant chain founded in Australia continues its advance in the Chicago area with a proposed drive-through in Vernon Hills Named by its founder for two childhood friends Guzman y Gomez Mexican Kitchen has received a nonbinding favorable reception from village leaders to pursue a plan to demolish an existing building on an outlot in the Rivertree Court shopping center Most of the 240 Guzman y Gomez restaurants are in Australia but also in Tokyo and Singapore The chain was founded in 2006 by two New Yorkers who had moved to Australia and missed the authentic taste of high-quality Mexican food they grew up eating The fifth Guzman y Gomez in the Chicago area recently opened in Deerfield with a sixth coming to Evanston in March The publicly traded company debuted in Naperville in early 2020 and followed with locations in Schaumburg a special use permit and variations are being sought to replace the Top Fitness store building at 701 N “It will probably be more of our 11th or 12th store at the end of the day,” Jason Trombley “The goal is to have 15 to 20 stores in Chicago.” locations are in Illinois and corporately owned The plan is to build the brand and make it attractive to be franchised elsewhere Trombley said the family is often in Vernon Hills for other activities at Rivertree Court and considers it “almost a personal mission” to expand the limited drive-through selections in that area restaurant sales data from a variety of sources shows Vernon Hills as one of the top places to be people second and community and culture third,” he said He described Guzman y Gomez as being like Chipotle but with a different energy and atmosphere the chain four years ago wanted to build a drive-through across the street at the former Denny's on the Hawthorn shopping center property but it didn’t materialize Projected sales at Rivertree Court would be $2.5 million to $3 million a year with a target of having half the business as drive-through customers Village officials are receptive to the Rivertree Court plan but tweaks will be needed to avoid potential drive-through traffic conflicts in the shopping center and to have enough space for an escape lane in case of emergency the drive-through would have two lanes that converge to a single lane after the menu boards the developer is seeking to reduce the required setback for the front of the building Village trustees said they prefer the variation be requested for parking rather than the setback by changing the building location on the lot “The more important part I think is moving the building south 13 feet,” said Trustee Thom Koch I think it would be a good addition” to the village's already extensive restaurant selection “We have ultimate flexibility to work with you and modify as needed,” Trombley said The proposal goes to a detailed staff review and eventual public hearing before the advisory planning and zoning commission before returning to the village board for a final decision The ninth annual Barrington-Vernon Hills Invitational had some dramatic finishes for area boys volleyball teams Saturday afternoon at Vernon Hills Brother Rice (8-1) won the championship of the 12-team tournament with an exciting 25-22 victory over Sandburg (6-1) in the third set to take home the team title 12-ranked South Elgin (6-3) fell to No.19 Lane Tech (8-2) 25-15 25-21 as the Storm held a 7-1 lead early in the third set Senior Luka Jovanovic was named to the all-tournament team after recording 12 kills and 12 digs against Lane Tech South Elgin got 10 kills from Emilio Martinez Jadian Arias added 10 assists for the Storm while Brady Melvin had 8 digs "He (Jovanovic) worked hard in the off-season and you can see the difference in him this year," said South Elgin coach Karen Rodriguez but lost to Brother Rice in two sets in the semifinals "I'm still trying to find out my combinations and today we struggled shutting down the middles on both sides." Barrington (5-1) defeated Glenbrook North 25-21 Senior all-tournament team selection Sam Grozdic and senior Matt Louis had 9 kills each for the Broncos against the Spartans Sophomore Matt Kravstov had 6 kills in that match Teammates Aidan Gilmore and Oliver Halvey had 7 and 5 digs and when we dig the ball well we're strong offensively," said Barrington coach Charlie Spry whose team went 3-1 in the tourney (only loss was to Lane Tech on Friday) "I'm really proud of our sophomore Matt (Kravstov) and Sam Grozdic played really well with Matt Louis." Warren (3-3) beat the host Cougars (1-4) 25-20 Warren's Joel Paasch and Vernon Hills' Liam Boehme were named to the all-tourney team "We tried a different lineup in that last set and we have a very deep team," said Warren coach Kim Paasch "Wesley Cowell led us on a big serve run to come back in that second set and it's a really good start to our season." Boehme had 33 kills in the tourney followed by teammates Julian Rodriguez (24 kills) "Everyone knows he (Boehme) is our best attack option and he has our best hitting percentage," said Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry and I think that is our biggest struggle when teams are on a big run it is hard to get the momentum back." Fremd (3-3) beat crosstown rival Palatine (1-5) 26-24 Senior Ethan Garst led the Vikings with 12 kills and 8 digs while teammate Alex Ma had 8 kills Fremd's Aarav Parikh had 11 assists while Martin Hristov had 9 digs and you have to work so hard to put the ball down on them," said Fremd coach Tracy Harding "We're a young team with only one returning starter so it's a big learning curve for us right now." Going into its own Class 3A regional championship on Friday night Viator's girls basketball team had won seven in eight seasons With a freshman and sophomore leading the offense 4-seed Lions kept their dominant run intact registering a 48-43 victory over a stubborn No 5-seed Vernon Hill squad (20-12) that never folded Freshman Ava Garcia scored a team-high 21 points and sophomore Kalin McCrea added 12 as the Lions held off the Cougars who trailed by 12 points with 1:36 left A layup by sophomore Emma Jocson (team-high 21 points) and back-to-back 3-pointers from Keira Thomson and Jocson got Vernon Hills to within 47-43 with five seconds left McCrea then made a free throw with 2.9 seconds left for the winning margin "She is a veteran sophomore," said Lions coach Kyle Braheny of McCrea's clutch 8 points in the final period "I trust her with anything she needs to do When they take the ball away from Ava (Garcia) that's fine because we have other playmakers and Kalin is one of those players I have all the confidence in the world for her to get it done and that's exactly what we needed We needed everyone on the floor to get this win who was also on last year's regional championship team The Lions (20-13) advance to the North Chicago sectional where they will face top-seeded Grayslake Central in the 6 p.m about moving on to a sectional in her first high school season When we move the ball and play like a team Viator took the lead for good when Ellen Denten 's 17-footer made it 6-5 with 6:10 left in the first quarter and ignited a 9-3 run to close out the first period McCrea followed with a 3-pointer for a 9-5 advantage Catherine Admanski's rebound bank shot made it 11-7 before Garvia scored the final two baskets of the quarter for a 15-7 cushion Garcia's first one was a layup coming off a steal a nifty assist from Maggie Ratzki Garcia then hit an 8-footer with 27 seconds left Viator extended its lead to 22-12 in the second quarter when Bella Gounaris fired home a 3-pointer with 5:06 left until half made it 26-12 before Jocson hit a 3-pointer to get Vernon Hills within 26-15 at intermission Vernon Hills got to within 31-25 thanks to Frannie Poulos' 3-pointer Kyli Ziebka's free throw in the final seconds gave the Lions a 36-30 lead heading into the final quarter Jcson's nifty charging layup cut the deficit to 36-33 with 5:35 left But McCrea answered with a fastbreak layup and the Lions went ahead 45-35 on a 3-pointer by McCrea with 2:01 left before holding for the 10th regional crown in program history "I'm very proud of how they work and prepare," said Lions second-year coach Kyle Braheny I'm very happy and proud of them for what they did "This is one of the perks of hosting a regional The home crowd was great with the student body here and all the support from everyone Now we get to cut down the nets which is very special to do." also a young team which also received 6 points from junior Anahya Catyro and 5 from classmate Keira Thomas we won 10 games," said 25-year coach Paul Brettner and Rolling Meadows grad who led the Cougars to Class 3A second-place finishes in 2012 and 2013 "To come back with most of the same kids and work this hard to get 20 wins was really special for these kids "The second-half (rally) was really a credit to them Viator) just made a few more plays than we did The end of a free 30-day membership promotion is nearing but given the reception owners of Ace Pickleball Club of Vernon Hills are confident the early attention will carry over “We had a fantastic response to that,” said Ira Krassan, franchise owner of the new facility that opened Dec. 20 in the former Toys R Us big box at 555 Townline Road (Route 60) in the Townline Commons retail center Free membership was available prior to opening but a $39 deal for the first month continues Membership at the 16-court facility after that is a flat $129 per month use of the “Titan” robotic ball trainer and access to round robin tournaments and mixers Drop-in open play is allowed all day when courts are available with balls and an assortment of demo paddles supplied Seven of the 16 courts are wider and longer for championship play and more skilled players adding that the surface is another selling point “Our pickleball courts are the best in the industry,” he said “We have eight layers of cushioned material Interest in the hot sport continues with no sign of waning with indoor facilities opening or planned across the suburbs by several entities. That includes The Picklr a national chain that recently opened its largest location — 14 courts — in Mount Prospect and has facilities in Villa Park Ace Pickleball Club also is a national franchise with a flagship location in Roswell A different franchisee opened the first Ace in Illinois Nov 25 in the former Walmart Neighborhood Market space in Des Plaines with 13 courts said he also owns an Ace Pickleball near his home in Voorhees and is a partner in other business ventures “I don't think we’ve begun to hit the tip of the iceberg yet,” Krassan said of interest in the sport Ace wasn't the first to pitch the idea for the former Toys R Us in Vernon Hills a Texas-based company received village approvals to convert the big-box store for an indoor pickleball facility but dropped out after determining it couldn’t scale up to the Chicago area but it isn’t the only indoor facility in town LifeSport Tennis & Athletic Clubs had 14 courts in Libertyville and Lincolnshire lined atop existing tennis courts opening five courts in August in a portion of a building in a business park at 450 Bunker Court LifeSport members have access to 19 indoor courts but nonmembers can reserve courts if available “Pickleball players are absolutely aware of what’s opening up so they can continue their play year round,” he said “I think there’s still a lot of growth potential for pickleball Lake and McHenry County Scanner Prosecutors say a woman stabbed her mother in the head with a knife in a seemingly unprovoked attack before fleeing the scene and being arrested in Vernon Hills was charged with aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon The Vernon Hills Police Department responded around 7 a.m Thursday to the 900 block of Jackson Court in Vernon Hills for a call of a domestic battery Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said the 911 caller was Almanza’s father who reported that his wife was injured Officers spoke with the victim who reported that her daughter The mother heard noise and went downstairs to find dishes had fallen out of the dishwasher She told Almanza to stop making noise and she began picking up dishes at which time Almanza grabbed a sharp kitchen knife McConnell said Almanza tried to stab her mother four or five times The victim was stabbed in the head and suffered a deep long laceration on the backside of her mother’s head The father came downstairs after he heard commotion and called 911 McConnell said Almanza then fled the scene Officers located Almanza a few blocks from the home on the street and she was still in possession of the knife Almanza told police that she had just been arrested in another city and her parents brought her home McConnell said that Almanza told officers she went into “fight or flight mode” and was afraid while thinking in her head “this is my moment” before stabbing her mother Almanza said she knew she could have killed her mother and that she did not know why she stabbed her A video camera inside the home captured words being exchanged between the two The video cut out and began recording again after the stabbing where the mother could be seen holding her head as Almanza fled out of the back door The victim was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where she received several staples in her head to close the wound Almanza has no criminal background but prosecutors sought her detainment pending trial arguing there was no way to effectively monitor Almanza if she were to be released Lake County Judge James Simonian granted a petition to detain Almanza filed by the state’s attorney’s office following a detention hearing The judge called the incident a “violent stabbing” and that while Almanza does not have a criminal background and is a college student with good grades he was not comfortable releasing her because the attack was “unexplainable.” Almanza remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on March 5 for a preliminary hearing 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 VERNON HILLS, IL —Closeout sales at soon-to-be-shuttered Joann Fabrics and Crafts stores were reportedly expected to begin this past weekend The fabric and craft retailer made the shocking announcement last week that it will be closing 500 stores nationwide after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time this past year Among stores expected to close is the Joann at 413 N Milwaukee Ave Unit 500 >>> 2 McHenry County Joann Fabrics Slated To Close OH-based company cited rising costs and dwindling demand for its financial difficulties knitters and other craft enthusiasts are buying supplies online Joann did not divulge when it would start closing stores Liquidation stores are likely to last for several months Here is the full list of Illinois stores set for potential closure: Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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The last three years have been personally difficult for Vernon Hills Village President Roger Byrne Less than a year after taking office for his eighth term a rare but extremely serious autoimmune condition in which the body essentially attacks itself It is no understatement to say that despite remarkable and courageous progress on his recovery His initial treatment required lengthy time on a ventilator and was followed by complications with heart disease and the COVID virus Byrne has remained sharp and focused mentally and his continued devotion to Vernon Hills is nothing short of inspirational we were impressed by his continued grasp of village issues and by the fervor of his interest in them He is completing his 32nd year as village president after serving six years as a trustee on the village board he has been a presence in Vernon Hills for more than half of its 67-year existence He has had a hand in so much of the strength vitality and sense of community you see in town Byrne is stepping back some in recognition of his health challenges He is on the ballot to run for one of three trustee seats on the village board is running unopposed to take his place as village president Koch has acted as chairman pro tem at most village board meetings Byrne attended digitally until his health progressed enough to allow him recently to make occasional appearances in person four candidates are running for three trustee seats on the village board — Byrne recently retired after a lengthy career as a village employee but these are easy endorsements to make: Byrne and they have given us no reason to regret our recommendations Each has played a role in the impressive transformation of the Hawthorn Mall campus and the diversification of the village's economic base Vernon Hills is a model suburb in Lake County Schenk and Takaoka deserve some credit for that Lundeen has the community interest at heart and perspective on village operations But she lacks the mastery of issues her adversaries offer and fails to make a case why any of them should be replaced Yours would too if you had smiled as hard and as often as Vernon Hills’ coach did at Saturday’s boys swimming and diving state meet at FMC Natatorium in Westmont “How about that kid!” Pardun exclaimed minutes after Cougars sophomore Yury Plaksin silvered in the 100-yard freestyle in a personal-record 44.24 “The split he got (meet-best 22.93) in his second 50 Plaksin had set a program record in event two on Saturday finishing third in the 200 free in 1:37.76 VH grad Jason Mitchell’s fifth-place result in the 100 free stood as the highest state finish by a Cougar since 2005 I like going against swimmers who push me,” said Plaksin who also zipped to an A-Final-best lead-off split (44.61) for the team’s sixth-place 400 free relay (3:05.94) “Seeing Luke (eventual winner Luke Vatev of Hinsdale Central) ahead of me after 50 yards got me going VH seniors Dan Berke and Will Rendall took fourth in the 50 free (20.71) and 13th in the 100 breaststroke (57.22) helping Pardun’s crew place a program-best eighth (106 points) at state Hersey senior diver and decorated multi-sport athlete Nathan Mabry vied to emerge as a three-sport state champion meaning he’ll graduate as a state champion in gymnastics (all-around 2023) and in soccer (2024) and possibly as an All-American in diving with unbelievable talent and a work ethic as strong as I’ve ever seen in 50-plus years in coaching,” Huskies diving coach Tom Schwab gushed “I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities I had to compete in sports and to represent my school,” Mabry said Stevenson gifted retiring coach Doug Lillydahl another top-10 state finish with a sixth-place (127 points) showing behind international transfer student Kasper Lee’s third-place 48.77 in the 100 free and the Patriots’ fifth-place 1:24.24 in the 200 free relay (Sirui Wang had lived and swum in Sweden before enrolling at Stevenson in January “How Swede it is,” Lillydahl said after Lee bronzed from lane 1 in the 100 back Kasper rises to the challenge,” added Lillydahl who guided Pats teams to nine top-five state finishes — including the program’s lone state championship in 2022 — since 2001 Schaumburg enjoyed its best state performance ever scoring 41 points to take 17th ahead of fellow Mid-Suburban League members Buffalo Grove (18th) Saxons senior Dennis Bobiv touched ninth in the 50 free (20.76) and swam on a pair of top-11 relays (10th Classmate James Bredfield placed 14th in the 50 free (21.12) and joined Bobiv as a two-time relay medalist Schaumburg senior Andrew Spencer’s 13th-place 50.92 in the 100 back upped the team’s point total from 37 (the program's previous-best state total “All our guys were locked in from the start of the season,” said Saxons coach and Prospect graduate Sam Gabriel Maine South diver Caleb Lakin placed fourth in diving (518.25 points) after opting to compete solely as a club diver last winter The Hawk’s most consistent plunge in 2024-25 was also a hard one (3-plus degree of difficulty) Other top-eight finishes by swimmers and divers in the Daily Herald’s Cook and Lake coverage areas: Stevenson’s Sirui Wang (sixth 1:51.82); Buffalo Grove’s Nolan Smith (seventh 482.5); and Barrington senior and Notre Dame-bound Lucas Bucaro (fourth Rolling Meadows senior Emanuel Anguelov — seeded 32nd (21.61) in the 50 free after sectional action last weekend — placed 13th in the sprint Saturday with a 21.02 Additional top-eight relay members included Stevenson’s Lee and Felix Wang and Vernon Hills’ Rendell Hinsdale Central captured its third straight state in dominant fashion amassing 338 points to runner-up Marmion’s 190 and third-place New Trier’s 156 In Athletes With Disabilities races at state Conant sophomore Trevor Hanson earned a trio of gold medals Hoffman Estates junior Conor Nestler placed third in the 100 breast two spots ahead of RM freshman Evan Kalweit Among the top-16 finishers in individual events: Maine East’s David Rosenbergas (ninth 450.15); Vernon Hills’ Coady Blumenthal (15th diving Top-16 relay legs: Schaumburg’s Spencer and Ivan Romanchuk; Prospect’s Lapys Max Dembowski and James Moreth; Maine South’s Wiacek Reed Kuczura and Nick Drcha; Stevenson’s Timothy Rhee; Conant’s Alex Seeman Ayden Woo and Dominik Kurek; and Barrington’s Bucaro A North Chicago man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder in a shooting Thursday night in Vernon Hills that left a man critically injured was scheduled to be in a first appearance court hearing Friday morning in connection with the shooting at the Hawthorn Hills Shopping Center near Route 60 and Milwaukee Avenue The shooting may have been the result of a conflict between coworkers at an area business Witnesses reported hearing seven to eight shots According to Deputy Chief Shannon Holubetz the victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remained hospitalized in critical condition Holubetz also said the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System’s Emergency Services Team took a suspect into custody at about 1 a.m Friday in connection with the shooting after searching a home in Waukegan Multiple firearms were recovered during the search Holubetz said the shooting likely stemmed from an earlier fight between the two men and there is no ongoing threat to the public The shopping center has been reopened to the public Prosecutors say a Barrington man accused of fatally shooting his estranged girlfriend in the chest Sunday “savagely beat her with a baseball bat” before opening fire was remanded to the Cook County jail following a detention hearing Wednesday before Judge Ellen Mandeltort at the Rolling Meadows courthouse Zientek is charged with first-degree murder in endocrinologist Olga Duchon’s death Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Mack said the pair were parents of a 3-year-old child Mack said Zientek invited Duchon to his home to have a discussion and instead killed her with a gun he had reported stolen Mack told the judge the couple’s relationship ended in 2021 over Duchon’s objections to Zientek purchasing and storing firearms in their home Duchon obtained an order of protection against the defendant which required him to surrender his firearms That order revoked his Firearm Owner’s Identification card Mack said Zientek asked Duchon to come to his home Sunday to talk Video shows her arriving at Zientek’s home with a tote bag containing leftovers and baked goods about 5:18 p.m The former couple conversed in the defendant’s living room where prosecutors say Zientek struck Duchon with a baseball bat once in the back of the head and once on the top of her head Officers arrived in response to Zientek’s 911 call and found Duchon laying on her side with a child’s blanket over her officers found a backpack containing 9 mm bullets and an empty holster Duchon’s Apple Watch showed her heart stopped at 5:25 p.m Zientek told officers he shot Duchon in self-defense Zientek filed a report with Barrington police the day before the shooting alleging the former couple’s child was being molested by a relative Glasgow said Duchon had asked to come to Zientek’s house to see the child who is “the subject of a paternity action,” according to Glasgow who said his client told Duchon he was filing a petition to remove the child from her Duchon pulled a weapon on Zientek who saw the weapon covered with a blanket who was present at the time of the shooting told authorities Duchon “was holding a gun The child repeated that statement to other individuals Zientek faces between 45 and 85 years in prison No injuries were reported from an early morning fire Thursday that left a Vernon Hills home uninhabitable Fire officials said the blaze likely began in the garage and spread quickly through the two-story All residents escaped before firefighters arrived One resident was evaluated for smoke inhalation The cause of the fire remains under investigation One person was injured after a fire engulfed a garage and quickly spread throughout a house in Vernon Hills causing significant damage early Thursday morning The Countryside Fire Protection District and Vernon Hills Police Department responded around 1:15 a.m Thursday to the 1000 block of Pine Grove Court in Vernon Hills for a report of a structure fire Countryside Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Kevin Wodrich said fire crews arrived and found heavy flames showing from a garage attached to a house The fire had extended into the living space and attic of the two-story single-family residence All occupants had exited the residence prior to the fire department arriving The home sustained heavy damage from the fire and was deemed uninhabitable Wodrich said a resident was evaluated by paramedics for smoke inhalation but did not require transport to the hospital No other injuries were reported by other occupants or firefighters The Countryside Fire Protection District was assisted by the Mundelein Lake Zurich and Buffalo Grove fire departments at the scene Round Lake and Inverness Fire Departments covered Countryside’s fire stations the fire district was called back to the scene after the home caught on fire again A damage estimate was not immediately available Fire officials said residents should “remember to close before you doze,” referring to making sure their bedroom doors are closed while sleeping to protect people in case of a fire Office Sought: Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 board (Vote for 4) Is there a particular issue that motivates you I’m running for the District 128 school board because I believe a strong public education is the backbone of a thriving community I see firsthand how the world is changing and how students need more than just academic excellence — they need resilience My background as an educator at a health sciences university gives me a unique perspective on preparing students for future challenges has the opportunity to succeed and that our schools continue to provide an outstanding What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum The school board can play role in shaping the curriculum by setting policies and priorities and responding to the evolving needs of students It’s not about micromanaging course offerings or lesson plans but about making sure our schools are equipping students with the right knowledge and skills I understand the importance of integrating digital literacy and critical thinking into the curriculum to prepare students for future careers It is also important for the board to promote continuous improvement by reviewing data and making evidence-based decisions to keep our curriculum strong Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board As a district we must focus on long-term curriculum improvements Our curriculum should not only prepare our students to be college ready but ready for the modern workforce We also need to make our process for evaluating curriculum changes transparent and ensure they not only align with student needs but developed in collaboration with educators It is important for the board to restore trust ensuring that changes are student-centered and focused on long-term success of the district 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 think it is important to balance all the three aspects and build consensus It is important to provide thoughtful perspectives The most important thing to remember is decisions should always be student-centered and based on data my approach would be to gather input from all stakeholders including students and analyze performance data to make informed decisions I believe respectful dialogue leads to the best outcomes It is important we focus on developing good policies and processes that enhance student learning while maintaining a school environment that is academically rigorous and always welcoming 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 Collaboration is at the heart of good decision-making I have been involved in working with groups to make decision on when to devote resources to advance research programs and when to stop All of them were data-driven but anchored in ground realities I regularly collaborate with colleagues on curriculum development and student success initiatives balancing different perspectives while focusing on data-driven solutions Providing a platform to all opinions and consensus building with collective ownership of the decision (even if proven incorrect in hindsight) is the best approach we often debate policy changes that impact student learning outcomes — these discussions require patience focus on data and honest desire to take corrective action I believe this experience will help me effectively contribute to policy decisions that benefit District 128 students and educators What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs In the recent months the idea of DEI has been completely misinterpreted I would argue that our nation has embraced DEI throughout its evolution by giving rights to women to vote DEI is not about replacing merit and standards It is simply about expanding opportunities and removing barriers Goal 2 of the District 128 strategic plan is well communicated As long as we stay focused on ensuring student success is at the center of decision making and implementation we will be marching in the right direction What makes you the best candidate for the job it is not for me to decide if I am the best for the job The community collectively gets to decide that What I can say is as a parent with children who have graduated or will enter District 128 I’m personally invested in the district’s success I understand what students need to succeed beyond high school My ability to bridge perspectives — parents taxpayers and policymakers — will hopefully help me to promote well-informed balanced decisions that put students first What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet AI is the latest buzzword among high school students and global power brokers AI has genuine potential to influence education AI can enhance personalized learning by helping teachers identify students’ strengths and areas for improvement a student struggling in math could receive customized problem sets and targeted support while an advanced student could be challenged with more complex material — all tailored through AI-driven insights I see a lot of potential in leveraging technology to make education more personalized This will allow for educators to ensure that every student can strive to reach their full potential Candidates for three seats on the Vernon Hills village board are well-known to each other and in the community with three incumbents seeking reelection and a longtime village employee making her first run for public office The candidates say they are concerned with keeping a steady course and adjusting as needed to resident concerns in a town that is fiscally sound with ample reserves a vast commercial base and no major issues looming is pursuing a trustee seat due to health issues that limit his mobility who was elected when Byrne became mayor and has served continuously since Byrne is joined on the ballot by Trustee Craig Takaoka his running mate in 2021 who is seeking a third term; Trustee Michael Schenk seeking a second 4-year term; and Monica Lundeen a 45-year village resident who retired three years ago after 25 years in the village’s building and licensing departments The village has never levied a municipal property tax and none of the candidates envision that happening All said they are pleased with the redevelopment and transformation of the Hawthorn mall property which put Vernon Hills on the map when it opened more than 50 years ago Byrne said maintaining financial stability long has been a hallmark of the village and a continuing area of focus adding that maintaining a good relationship with other governing entities has resulted in community improvements Lundeen said the lack of major challenges is a testament to village staff She noted that transparency and communication is important in local government “It has to do with our community and what they want.” local knowledge and understanding of village operations and needs makes her a strong candidate and she wants to keep Vernon Hills thriving by building on the successes of the current board and staff Schenk said the village’s strong financial position helped tremendously through the coronavirus pandemic “Our biggest challenge is always finding the right businesses,” he said “I want to make sure we're offering something to all residents.” “I’ve seen this town grow exponentially,” he said “Managing growth means managing fiduciary responsibility.” it wouldn't have worked no matter who sits on the board Although Byrne has stepped away from his mayoral post he said he wants to continue public service None of his fellow candidates have raised his health as an issue who is now a Vernon Hills youth hockey coach has been arrested for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material in Mundelein was charged with one count of child pornography Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Stanton said the Mundelein Police Department received over a dozen cyber tips from June to December reported by Microsoft regarding the uploading of child pornography through their search engine The user was uploading image files of the graphic material to do a reverse search The images all depicted naked children under the age of 13 years led to detectives tracing the crime to Ustrnul’s residence in Mundelein A search warrant was executed on February 11 and officers seized Ustrnul’s personal computer and cell phone Ustrnul denied using the Bing search engine when interviewed Stanton said a forensic examination of the devices showed Ustrnul had 74 cached files on his computer of child sexual abuse material The files were created when the user viewed the images but are not files that were saved to the computer Stanton said one video was located that was saved on the computer which showed a child under the age of 13 being sexually assaulted Ustrnul is a former professional hockey player who currently coaches children at Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills Ustrnul was charged on Thursday and arrested after a warrant was issued “Defendant has established an ability and mode of obtaining this material and avoiding detection As evidenced by the numerous cyber tips over a period of 6 months Defendant has continued this behavior while in a home with adults and access to children in the community These are actions of an individual who poses a community threat,” Stanton said The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Ustrnul pending trial During a detention hearing on Friday afternoon Lake County State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell argued for Ustrnul to be held in custody and said he poses a threat to the community since he is in a position of trust over children as a hockey coach McConnell said there are no conditions of release that could properly supervise Ustrnul to ensure he does not have contact with minors or have access to the internet Ustrnul is being represented by Joseph Zeit and Douglas Zeit The attorneys said the cache files found are temporary and unviewable to the average computer user Ustrnul attempted to view those or save them,” Joseph Zeit said adding that is the reason that his client is not charged with 74 counts of child pornography “There is absolutely no specific or articulable facts that Mr Ustrnul poses any threat to any of the children which the State alleges,” Joseph Zeit said Lake County Judge James Simonian denied the prosecutors’ petition and released Ustrnul from custody The judge said that while the presumption is great that Ustrnul committed the offense there were conditions of release to mitigate the threat he poses due to his lack of criminal background Simonian placed Ustrnul on Level 4 pre-trial monitoring services no contact with children and a curfew as directed by pre-trial services Ustrnul will also be subject to random search of electronic devices and was ordered to not be present in parks Ustrnul is scheduled to appear in court again on April 2 for a preliminary hearing Police are investigating after an elementary school teacher in Vernon Hills was placed on leave following allegations of engaging in inappropriate behavior with former students Peter Hannigan sent a letter to families in the district on Friday “We in Hawthorn District 73 prioritize our students’ safety and emotional well-being and that is why we’re contacting you today,” Hannigan said A teacher at Townline Elementary School in Vernon Hills was placed on paid administrative leave on Thursday The district said the teacher was placed on leave due to reports of them having inappropriate behavior with former students Hannigan said the district immediately contacted the Vernon Hills Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) after learning about the allegations The district is also conducting its own investigation in cooperation with the authorities A long-term substitute teacher has been assigned to the teacher’s classroom so that there is minimum disruption to learning “We caution everyone that at this point the reports are allegations and no conclusions have been reached,” Hannigan said Hannigan said that the district cannot discuss the specifics of the situation but that the district takes the allegations “very seriously” and finds “any inappropriate behavior by one of our educators inexcusable.” “I assure you that the district is cooperating with the investigation and will take all necessary action to protect the students and the learning environment,” Hannigan added Vernon Hills Deputy Police Chief Shannon Holubetz told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the department was notified by school distraction of a “personnel matter” involving the teacher “The Department is currently gathering necessary information in order to determine if further investigation is warranted,” Holubetz said adding that the department was not releasing further details on the allegations Livy Tran was the only gymnast at state on Friday who has competed in the all-around the past three years Tran fell short of winning an all-around title taking second to Downers Grove co-op’s Genevieve Herion “If you watch videos from her you’ll see me in the background I met her last year and we’ve become close friends and hang out all the time.” Brusso is joining Tran in the individual finals Saturday on beam (9.6) and bars (9.4) No one has hung around and competed at the state meet like Tran has since 2022 She’ll look for her second vault title on Saturday in which she helped Vernon Hills take second as team twice and fifth last year she’s gone from 27th in the all-around to fourth in 2023 and seventh last year to now state champion “I definitely think it is a cool thing to see this stage four times,” she said I had zero expectations and it was more of a team sport compared to club The growth I’ve had from that day as a freshman I was very young and nervous to be joining and today when I walked into the gym all the memories came back A lot of memories and happy screams with my teammates.” Tran has taken fifth the past two seasons on vault after her state championship She’d love to snag another as the bookends to her high school career “I’m very excited to make it for vault,” she said I’ve been pretty confident with it since freshman year and it’s been pretty consistent I’m nervous but excited for one of my last days of gymnastics.” Palatine junior Jolee Washington tied for sixth in the all-around with Prairie Ridge co-op’s Thea Scheuer (36.975) Washington also qualified on bars (9.375) and floor (9.425) Scheuer returned to Prairie Ridge co-op after a two-year hiatus having helped her team win a state title her freshman year The return of coach Lee Battaglia was key to her return “He makes practice fun and has kind of been a friend and not just a coach,” she said “He asks how you are doing and is helpful and then (coach) Lexi (Redmond) is amazing She’s helped a lot with the process of coming back.” Prairie Ridge co-op sophomore Bryleigh Cooper took eighth in the all-around (36.0) Sophomore Nora Terhaar advanced to the finals on vault (9.5) and bars (9.35) Prairie Ridge co-op is in third place with 145.425 and within striking distance of Lincoln-Way co-op’s 145.55 “I stuck beam which I was very excited for since I hadn’t stuck it all year Downers Grove co-op’s 148.45 is mathematically the state champion but will need to wait until Saturday’s done to make it official and perhaps add to its team total with seven chances to do so The last time a team won a state gymnastics title by three or more points was over 25 years ago when Fremd outscored runner-up Lyons A proposal to transform a former ambulance company headquarters in Vernon Hills to a child care facility with 13 classrooms has moved to the public hearing stage The village’s advisory planning and zoning commission Wednesday will consider the request by fast-growing The Nest Schools Inc to upgrade the former Superior Ambulance facility on Route 45 and Sullivan Drive inside and out Nest soon will have 54 locations in 10 states including Crystal Lake and Barrington with several more Illinois locations expected to be announced in the near future according to material presented to the village the nearly 2-acre property on the northeast corner is zoned for office research and development and would require a special use permit The company also needs site plan approval and variations for lot and yard requirements Nest is proposing to convert the single-story 11,834-square-foot building to accommodate about 209 children primarily aged 6 weeks to 5 years with summer and after-school programs for children up to 12 a “full complement of technology” including security cameras air cleaning machines and a commercial warming kitchen are part of the interior plan the company is proposing a 16,897-square-foot “natural” playground and additional landscaping and screening The village board last fall gave informal approval for the plan to proceed through a detailed staff review and public hearing before returning for final approval One issue mentioned was access to busy Route 45 during peak times The company since has provide a more detailed traffic analysis to support their petition and plans to keep and repair the existing fence as oppose to replacing it a Florida-based real estate investment company and Nest has signed a long-term lease Nest is responsible for overseeing the design and construction of the facility It will be built by NewLook Construction LLC of Wilmette which also worked on the Barrington location The Nest will make Vernon Hills “even more attractive” to potential residents and employers high-quality child care is important in people’s decisions about where they live and work and where companies locate The Nest is one of four child care/preschool facilities planned or set to open in Vernon Hills in 2025 The planning an zoning commission meets at 7:30 p.m Japan’s Leading Restaurant Chain Skylark Lands in the U.S.; Discover Shabu-Yo Japanese Wagyu Hot Pot in Illinois With successful locations in Schaumburg and Naperville Shabu-Yo is set to expand further with a new venue in Vernon Hills a celebrated Japanese dining establishment renowned for its all-you-can-eat Shabu-Shabu continues to make significant strides in the Chicago area translating to “swish-swish,” is a traditional Japanese hot pot dish where diners cook thinly sliced meats and fresh vegetables in a broth at their table This interactive dining style allows for personalized culinary creations and fosters a communal experience making it perfect for gatherings with family and friends guests are treated to premium aged Wagyu beef meticulously prepared to enhance its natural flavors delivering exceptional umami and tenderness Meats are freshly sliced daily to ensure ultimate freshness Complementing the meats is a diverse selection of over 20 fresh vegetables sourced regularly to guarantee quality and safety Diners can also craft their own unique dipping sauces from a curated selection of condiments and spices Shabu-Yo’s journey in the United States began with its first location in Schaumburg The restaurant quickly became a favorite among locals offering an authentic taste of Japanese cuisine in a warm and inviting atmosphere Shabu-Yo celebrated the grand opening of its second U.S The Naperville venue features a design inspired by Japanese aesthetics providing guests with a comfortable and enjoyable dining environment Shabu-Yo is excited to announce the opening of its third U.S This expansion reflects the restaurant’s commitment to bringing authentic Japanese dining experiences to a broader audience in the Chicago area Dining at Shabu-Yo is more than just a meal; it’s an immersive journey into Japanese culinary traditions The interactive nature of Shabu-Shabu dining encourages engagement and connection making it an ideal choice for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings Shabu-Yo’s dedication to quality and freshness ensures that every visit is memorable The restaurant’s emphasis on premium ingredients offers a dining experience that delights all the senses Shabu-Yo is proudly part of Skylark Holdings a global dining powerhouse and the world’s largest Shabu-Shabu restaurant operator With a remarkable portfolio of over 3,000 restaurants and 20 diverse brands Skylark Holdings is dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences worldwide Shabu-Yo itself boasts over 300 locations across the globe making it one of the most beloved Shabu-Shabu brands Skylark serves an astounding 350 million meals annually — an impressive feat in a country with a population of 100 million This reflects the trust and admiration that Skylark Holdings and its brands have garnered through their commitment to quality By bringing Shabu-Yo to the United States, Skylark continues to extend its mission of sharing authentic Japanese cuisine with diners everywhere, setting the standard for excellence in the global culinary landscape. Visit Skylark Holdings’ official website at corp.skylark.co.jp/en/ Difference Between Shabu-Shabu and Hot Pot • Shabu-Shabu: Known for its light and healthy appeal allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine spicy broths infused with bold flavors from various spices and seasonings • Shabu-Shabu: Thinly sliced meat is briefly swished in Japanese broth locking in its natural flavor and tenderness making it easy to enjoy a generous amount of fresh produce resulting in a uniquely healthy and delicious Japanese dining experience • Hot Pot: Ingredients are simmered longer offering a personal and clean dining experience It’s perfect for families — kids can enjoy cooking their food in personal pots • Hot Pot: Typically served in a shared communal pot • Shabu-Shabu: Allows for creating personalized flavor combinations with customizable sauces and toppings Whether you’re a connoisseur of Japanese cuisine or new to the delights of Shabu-Shabu Shabu-Yo invites you to embark on a culinary adventure at their Illinois locations: including menu details and reservation options visit Shabu-Yo’s official website at www.shabu-yo.com Experience the art of Japanese hot pot dining at Shabu-Yo where tradition meets taste in every simmering pot Follow Shabu-Yo on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok but there will be an added attraction Friday at Vernon Hills High School Principal Jon Guillaume has invited alumni and retirees back for festivities as the school celebrates 25 years fire and parks also are expected for the occasion “This is a recognition and a thanks,” said Guillaume who moved his family from Arlington Heights to Vernon Hills to head the math department at the new school when it opened in September 1999 Guillaume is among about 20 staff members referred to as “the originals” who were there when the school welcomed its first students Because he’s noticed a drop in the number of alumni attending homecoming Guillaume extended a personal invitation to this year’s events in a newsletter to parents football game Friday against Maine East High School will be recognized at a special halftime ceremony Before the game visitors can take a building tour starting in the foyer from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m a celebrity video and tales of success will be shared Built on a former Navy pilot training field Vernon Hills High has helped establish a sense of identity in town But it took years of effort to land the school a process that included several referendums until one passed Byrne said he considers the high school to be transformational for the village “In my opinion it’s what really made Vernon Hills a town and gave people something to be truly a retired teacher and village trustee since 1993 “Having your own high school gives you a strong sense of community,” he said “It ranks right up there with what we’ve done with Hawthorn,” he added referring to the 1970s-era shopping mall now undergoing a major redevelopment Vernon Hills residents on the Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 school board were passionate about getting a high school in town including a land donation by the federal government — which nearly two dozen taxing bodies had an interest in and had to be sorted out — and a question of how best to provide space for District 128 students The school opened as a freshman-only campus in 1999-2000 Students were enrolled in all four grade levels for the first time in the 2001-2002 school year now a counselor at VHHS and head girls golf coach “It was just a lot of young people in their 20s and early 30s who came over here with an open mind to everything,” he said of the school’s initial faculty “The staff here is always willing to try a new idea or initiative.” “It feels the same in a lot of ways,” Downey added Kristin Cummings also was in the first VHHS graduating class and worked at the school before moving to the district office as an administrative assistant “It was just such a blank canvass in the beginning,” she said “It's nice to have all the traditions now.” Another in the diminishing number of World War II veterans and the first centenarian among those honored in Vernon Hills has died a resident at Victory Centre assisted living facility in Vernon Hills He turned 100 in March and was among the village’s 2024 military banner honorees The Army vet landed on Utah Beach in Normandy as a combat medic treating the wounded and served as a runner, notably in the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Flossenbürg concentration camp. He persevered for 16 months, making it to Czechoslovakia, according to his obituary said Spillar was 99 when he met him on Veterans Day last year “He was full of energy and definitely loved his country,” Renihan said His favorite song was “God Bless America” sung by Kate Smith “He started singing and so did the rest of us at the senior center,” Renihan recalled “His pride for this country could be felt outside.” “Stanley was proud to fight for his country and for his fellow soldiers,” Renihan said and graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago He served in the Army as a technician fifth grade from 1942 to 1945 raising a family of four with his late wife nominated him for the Vernon Hills Honors Military Banner Program He was included in the 2024 class of 20 veterans “We were also fortunate to recognize Stanley as a centenarian,” said Jon Petrillo Village officials visited Spillar at Victory Centre for his birthday last March Spillar was recognized individually with a proclamation at a village board meeting and also at a subsequent meeting with the other 19 banner recipients “We have much respect for Stanley’s service to our nation his longevity and his legacy,” Petrillo said former village trustee and service officer for Post 1247 said he is always impressed by World War II veterans since many like Stanley were teenagers called into service In tending to the wounded on the front lines Spillar saw and endured “what no man or woman should ever have to see or endure,” Schultz said “There is no doubt in my mind that Stanley was one of the last reminders of how great the ‘Greatest Generation’ truly was My own personal regret was that I didn’t get to meet Stanley sooner,” he said a son and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren Friday at Haben Funeral Home & Crematory Internment is at All Saints Catholic Cemetery in Des Plaines. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to any veterans organization of your choice. Visit habenfuneral.com to post a message or tribute A revised plan to replace the former Jameson’s Charhouse in Vernon Hills with fast food outlet Raising Cane’s includes measures to reduce traffic concerns Representatives for Raising Cane’s in May originally proposed demolishing the closed Jameson’s Charhouse at 151 Townline Road (Route 60) for a restaurant with a drive-through operation Trustees liked the concept but cited potential issues with the flow of traffic and vehicles exiting The site shares an access drive with Bears Fit which opened in 2019 in the former Sports Authority The two-tenant subdivision does not have access to a traffic signal Trustees said the high-volume drive-through Raising Cane’s could create congestion near busy Lakeview Parkway and that vehicles traversing the lot could be hazardous for pedestrians The board agreed to forward the proposal for detailed staff review emphasizing traffic was a significant issue and needed to be addressed A traffic study done for Raising Cane’s showed the configuration could work but it has been revised to include peak hour trips from a high-volume store and projected acceptable levels of service at all times The village’s traffic consultant concurred with the findings and also conducted modeling to show projected traffic could be accommodated Modifications include separating inbound and outbound drive-through customers; installing crosswalks widening the exit drive to allow for dedicated right- and left-turn lanes to Lakeview Parkway A staff review of both traffic studies with the modifications show the property can be developed without creating congestion on the shared drive at Lakeview Parkway or a hazard for Bears Fit patrons Raising Cane’s sells only chicken finger meals that come with crinkle-cut fries The chain’s 37th Illinois location is scheduled to open Dec The village board will consider the revisions at its informal committee of the whole session Tuesday following the regular meeting beginning at 7 p.m the proposal will advance to a public hearing before the advisory planning and zoning commission 2024 at 6:32 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Site prep work is complete and work on the new Yard House​ which will occupy one of three outlets along Milwaukee Avenue as part of a Hawthorn redevelopment project IL — A new Yard House restaurant is planning to open in Vernon Hills Site prep work is complete and work on the new Yard House Perry's Steakhouse & Grille opened in April another outlet and First Watch is expected to open in the middle lot Yard House is known for having one of the world's largest selections of draft beers and the Yard House in Vernon Hills will be the third of its kind in Illinois More via the Daily Herald Prosecutors say a man shot his co-worker at least 14 times kicked him in the head and stole his phone at a Vernon Hills shopping center before later being arrested while wearing body armor and armed with guns The Vernon Hills Police Department and Countryside Fire Protection District responded around 6:50 p.m Thursday to Hawthorn Hills Square Shopping Center Officers responding to calls of shots fired found an adult male victim according to Vernon Hills Deputy Police Chief Shannon Holubetz The shooting occurred in the parking lot of the busy shopping center while patrons were present Paramedics transported the victim to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where he remains in critical condition The Vernon Hills Police Department asked the public to avoid the shopping center on the southwest corner of Route 60 and Milwaukee Avenue due to the police activity Crime scene tape was set up around a portion of the shopping center parking lot as officers with the Lake County Major Crime Task Force investigated Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Cannon said officers canvassed the area of the shooting The manager of the Liquor Barn identified the victim as one of his employees and identified the gunman also as one of his employees Garcia-Nava was charged with attempted first-degree murder Surveillance video showed the victim got off work at 6:30 p.m and Garcia-Nava followed him outside while engaging in an “animated conversation,” Cannon said The two walked to the victim’s car 10 minutes later Garcia-Nava entered the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle while the victim got into the driver’s seat Shots could be seen being fired inside the vehicle and the victim fell out of the vehicle and tried running away Cannon said Garcia-Nava crawled from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat and was seen shooting outside the open car door Garcia-Nava exited the car and walked to the victim where he stole his cell phone and kicked the victim twice in the head A witness to the shooting was exiting the Liquor Barn when she saw the victim and Garcia-Nava talking by a van and then Garcia-Nava opening fire before kicking the victim in the head Investigators learned that Garcia-Nava and the victim had been in a two-year-long conflict but avoided each other at work Cannon said Garcia-Nava ran to his own vehicle The shopping center was closed for several hours as investigators worked at the scene License plate reader cameras captured the suspect’s vehicle leaving Vernon Hills Garcia-Nava was tracked to the 800 block of South McAlister Avenue in Waukegan Officers spotted the Jeep in the driveway of a home The Northern Illinois Police Alarm System’s (NIPAS) Emergency Services Team which is a SWAT team consisting of officers across the region responded to the home and arrested Garcia-Nava around 1 a.m Negotiators had talked Garcia-Nava into surrendering from the home Garcia-Nava was wearing a ballistic vest and armed with a loaded firearm when arrested A search of the residence revealed a rifle ammunition and the victim’s cell phone “It is an understatement to say that this defendant’s pre-trial release poses a real and present threat to the community,” Cannon said during a detention hearing Cannon called Garcia-Nava “callous and cruel” for shooting the victim at least 14 times and said it was clear that Garcia-Nava intended to kill the victim Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted a petition to detain Garcia-Nava pending trial after the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office sought his detention Garcia-Nava is scheduled to appear in court again on December 12 for a preliminary hearing Matt LaPorte jokes that there probably is a spot along Butterfield Road where he could simultaneously stand in Libertyville That's because he's worked in all three of the neighboring communities LaPorte is returning to Vernon Hills to lead the Vernon Hills Park District as its executive director He'll be filling the role held the past 15 years by Jeff Fougerousse “This is what I've been working for,” LaPorte said of his experiences and responsibilities since starting his career as sports director at YMCA of Greater Boston “I come at this job with a very broad level of experience All of that experience has really helped me prepare for this day,” he added After working in Colorado for eight years in programming facility management and special events coordination the LaPorte family moved to Illinois in 2012 when he was hired by the Vernon Hills Park District as the first facility manager for the Lakeview Fitness Center guiding the transition of the former Central Lake YMCA purchased by the park district considered a key action early in Fougerousse's tenure He left for “a unique opportunity” to open a new recreation facility for the McHenry Parks and Recreation Department LaPorte was appointed recreation superintendent for the Mundelein Park & Recreation District he was appointed recreation director in Libertyville a village department being reinvented after the sale of the town’s enormous sports complex He said he expected to stay in Libertyville three or four years but the opportunity in Vernon Hills surfaced more quickly than expected The district contracted with the Illinois Association of Park Districts which conducted a search and forwarded 13 candidates for considerations according to park board President David Doerhoefer “Matt distinguished himself,” Doerhoefer said very mature and he's ready to take us to the next level.” LaPorte received a three-year contact with a starting salary of $165 The district has grown tremendously under Fougerousse who will be retiring after 40 years in the parks and recreation field He has secured more than $10 million in grants and other revenue played a key role in acquiring Lakeview Fitness and the Century Park south enhancing Turtle Creek Waterpark and adding a new sprayground Fougerousse’s ability to build relationships also stands out district officials wrote in a message to residents in the upcoming parks program guide vision and his unwavering commitment to the community have been instrumental in shaping the direction and success of the district,” the message reads the Community High School Board of Education approved the recommendation of hiring Vernon Hills High School Assistant Principal Andy Young as the next VHHS principal Young will begin his new position on July 1 filling the position after the current principal Jon Guillaume retires at the end of this school year Young was the ideal candidate for this position,” Co-Interim Superintendent Ray Lechner said staff professional learning and the growth and achievement of students is unwavering.” “We were fortunate to have such an outstanding internal candidate,” D128 Board of Education President Jim Batson said and we are confident he will continue the legacy of excellence that Guillaume and his team have established.” Young began his career at Rantoul Township High School as a civics and contemporary issues teacher he moved to Chicago to teach world history at Golder College Prep High School he served as the Dean of Student Services through the 2014 school year when he transitioned to assistant principal Young was named Director of Programming and Data Analysis at Vernon Hills High School beginning with the 2015-16 school year His responsibilities included coordinating student testing Young transitioned to supporting the Learning Support Teams and school counselors and his role changed to Assistant Principal for Student Services Young earned a doctoral degree from the University of Illinois in educational leadership and Policy a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northeastern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in history education from Illinois State University The Assistant Principal for Student Services position and search information will be posted following the board meeting Office sought: Vernon Hills village board (Vote for 3) Previous offices held: Vernon Hills Village President since 1993 What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it The most serious issue we will face is finishing the Hawthorn Mall project This project is pushing $400,000,000 at completion We will continue to work with the developer paying close attention to changes in the economy and changes to the marketplace 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 Vernon Hills’ finances are very strong with triple AAA bond rating There is a strong operating and capital reserve fund which would allow multiple years of operating and capital expenditures The top priorities is to allocate funds to village capital improvements plan which includes funding roads We are in a position where we wouldn’t cut back on spending because we planned appropriately 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 village continues to focus on the water quality and stormwater management throughout the village specifically will be focusing on the Seavey drainage creek The village has secured grant funding and also secured future capital funding to support this project We are able to fund all projects that are planned for the future 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 Our town is in a very strong financial position with the above-mentioned AAA bond rating What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet Bring additional senior affordable housing to town The Vernon Hills Police Department has retired its comfort canine just over a year after it joined the force after the village deemed the dog as “unsuitable.” The Vernon Hills Village Board passed an ordinance last week authorizing the transfer of ownership for Billie The board said that Billie had been deemed “no longer suitable for service” in consultation with outside experts The village determined that Billie is no longer able to be useful to the police department in her wellness capacity and should be retired from active duty The ordinance conveys ownership of the police department wellness support dog to her handler The police department announced the addition of Billie who was rescued and trained by SIT Service Dogs of Ava during an assembly with Hawthorn District 73 students to a persuasive writing exercise assigned to District 73 sixth graders and judged by Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick Kreis “We’ve done this persuasive writing exercise for several years always themed around the addition of a patrol K9 that hasn’t been a program we could justify to this point,” Kreis said at the time “A dog to provide comfort and support to the community and Department staff The essays these students wrote made many compelling points and the decision to pursue a dog was an easy one after reading them,” Kreis said who was two years old when she joined the force in May 2023 received approximately 12 months of training in obedience and emotional support techniques The goal of the canine was to provide comfort to victims of crime and people affected by traumatic incidents as well as support department staff impacted by the stress of police work A male/adult was critically wounded in a shooting near the Liquor Barn, located in the Hawthorn Hills Square shopping center, at 700 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Vernon Hills (CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ An updated by Vernon Hills Police Department at 9:00 a.m indicated that Vernon Hills Police and members of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force continue to investigate the shooting which occurred at the Hawthorn Hills Square Shopping Center on the evening of November 21 has been transported to the Lake County Courthouse for a first appearance hearing Garcia-Nava is currently charged with one count of attempted first degree murder The victim in this case remains hospitalized in critical condition after suffering multiple gunshot wounds during the incident Garcia-Nava was taken into custody at approximately 1 AM by members of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System’s Emergency Services Team who were tasked with serving search and arrest warrants on Garcia-Nava at a home in Waukegan Multiple firearms were recovered during this operation The ongoing investigation suggests this shooting was the result of a conflict between co-workers at an area business police determined there was no longer a threat to the community Hawthorn Hills Square Shopping Center has since been re-opened to the public after being closed for several hours due to the investigation The suspect in this case is considered innocent unless proven guilty in court and firefighters and paramedics from Countryside Fire Protection District responded about 6:48 p.m 2024 to reports from multiple callers that multiple shots were fired in the parking lot near the Liquor Barn 700 North Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills Multiple shots hit a male victim that critically wounded him in the parking lot near the Liquor Barn discovered an adult male victim on the ground in the parking lot bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds The shooting victim was transported to Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville Vernon Hills Police continue to investigate the 6:48 p.m shooting at the Hawthorn Hills Square Shopping Center in Vernon Hills which is located at the southwest corner of Townline Road (Route 60) and Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21) According to the Vernon Hills Police Department and preliminary investigation suggests the shooting stemmed from an altercation between two parties The shooting incident involves an active and ongoing investigation according to the Vernon Hills Police Department A work van was examined by police at the scene Members of the Lake County Major Crimes Taskforce were assigned to assist the Vernon Hills Police Department with the investigation a suspect was taken into custody in connection with the shooting that occurred Thursday night at the Hawthorn Hills Square Shopping Center in Vernon Hills Garcia-Nava was taken into custody by members of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System’s Emergency Services Team at a home in Waukegan Garcia-Nava has been charged with attempted first degree murder and is currently in the custody of the Vernon Hills Police Department The shooting victim remains hospitalized in critical condition there is no longer believed to be a threat to the community and the Hawthorn Hills Square Shopping Center has been re-opened to the public This remains an active and ongoing investigation and additional information will be released as appropriate Shooting Victim Critically Wounded at Vernon Hills Shopping Center; Police Arrest Suspect Overnight Village Board Approves $155K Downtown Sign Project As Arlington Heights ‘Strives to Be Relevant’ “Someday soon we’ll stop to ponder what on earth’s this spell we’re under.” so don’t waste it living someone else’s life Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.”