Lake and McHenry County Scanner

Prosecutors say Algonquin man made shooting threat toward Chicago music festival

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 09:16 AM PDT

Daniel O. Susma, 28, of the 1700 block of North River Road in Algonquin, was charged in a domestic battery in Algonquin and remains held in jail after a judge increased his bond after prosecutors presented evidence of him making threats (right) on social media. | Provided Photo

Prosecutors say an Algonquin man told police he “wants to see a shooting so he could film it” after they questioned him about a shooting threat made on social media toward a Chicago music festival.

Daniel O. Susma, 28, of the 1700 block of North River Road in Algonquin, has been held in the McHenry County Jail since Tuesday.

He was arrested on unrelated charges of aggravated battery of a senior citizen, aggravated domestic battery and five counts of domestic battery.

A motion filed by McHenry County prosecutors said that they uncovered new information since his arrest and were seeking an increase in bond.

Assistant State’s Attorney Jim Newman said Susma was arrested last Monday when he allegedly attacked his 71-year-old mother.

A criminal complaint said that Susma hit his mother in the face, arms and back, causing red markings and abrasions.

He also allegedly used his hands and applied pressure around the woman’s nose and mouth, impeding her breathing, the complaint said.

Susma scratched the arms of his mother and repeatedly pushed and hit her in the back, the complaint said.

He also allegedly hit the woman in the face repeatedly with his hands, causing red swollen abrasions on her face, according to the complaint.

Newman said that the victim initially called police last month on June 4 to report that Susma was manic and refusing to take his medication.

She reported that Newman grabbed her arm and destroyed the phone she was holding.

Police responded to that incident and took Susma to the hospital where he was involuntarily committed, Newman said.

He was released a week later and eventually allowed back into his mother’s home.

Susma on July 6 allegedly posted on Instagram and Facebook that there was “going to be a shooting at NORTH COAST MUSIC FEST,” according to Newman.

Organizers of the Lollapalooza music festival contacted police about the posts because Susma had been a volunteer for Lollapalooza for the past nine years.

Susma noted on social media that he also has been a volunteer at the North Coast Music Festival.

Police questioned Susma about the posts on July 8 and he alternated between providing responsive answers to “offering random disorganized statements,” Newman said.

Susma then indicated to the officers that he “wants to see a shooting so he could film it” but that he “does not want to shoot anyone.”

The day before police spoke to him about the posts, officers were called to the LifeTime Fitness in Algonquin after Susma allegedly made threats to patrons and had to be escorted out, Newman said in his motion to increase bond.

Susma was ultimately arrested and taken into custody last Monday after the domestic attack involving his mother.

McHenry County Judge David Gervais granted prosecutors’ request to increase Susma’s bond. Gervais increased the bond from $25,000 to $50,000.

In a statement, North Coast Music Festival said they were aware of an individual who has made threats to other individuals and music artists.

“Unfortunately, this has become common place in this day and age. NCMF takes any threat very seriously. Know that we are in direct contact with all law enforcement agencies who have met with the individual and are handling it with the utmost seriousness,” the organization said.

“Additionally, this individual will be prohibited from purchasing tickets or entering NCMF. Both NCMF and law enforcement will continue to closely monitor the situation,” the statement added.

The festival is scheduled to begin on September 2 in Chicago. Organizers said additional security will be on hand.

Susma is scheduled to appear in court again on August 3 for a status of fitness hearing.

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Historic Long Grove Covered Bridge hit by vehicle for over 30th time

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 07:10 AM PDT

A U-Haul truck became stuck under the Long Grove Covered Bridge near Robert Parker Coffin Road and Schaeffer Road in Long Grove Saturday. | Photo: Chatter Box of Long Grove

A box truck hit the historic Long Grove Covered Bridge and became stuck Saturday morning. The bridge has been hit over 30 times now, police said.

The U-Haul truck hit the bridge, located at Robert Parker Coffin Road and Schaeffer Road in Long Grove, around 9:15 a.m. Saturday.

The truck was traveling eastbound on Robert Parker Coffin Road when it became completely stuck under the bridge’s canopy.

The Chatter Box of Long Grove, which is down the street, said the U-Haul was believed to be driving to Hawthorn Woods from a southwest suburb to pick up some furniture.

The business said it took tow truck crews at least an hour and a half to free the vehicle.

There did not appear to be serious damage to the bridge.

A school bus struck the Long Grove Covered Bridge on August 15, 2020, causing damage. | Photo: Buffalo Creek Brewing

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the bridge has been struck over 30 times in recent years.

The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In August 2020, the bridge was damaged by a school bus less than 24 hours after it had reopened following two years of repairs from a prior box truck crash.

That prior box truck crash caused substantial damage and nearly destroyed the bridge.

It is unknown if the driver in the Saturday crash was cited by police.

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Health department reports first case of monkeypox in McHenry County

Posted: 16 Jul 2022 06:17 PM PDT

Colorized electron microscopic image depicting a monkeypox virion. | Photo: CDC

McHenry County health officials announced Saturday the first probable case of the monkeypox infection in a resident in McHenry County.

The McHenry County Department of Health said they identified a single probable case of the monkeypox virus infection in an adult who met initial criteria for the disease and has a positive orthopoxvirus result.

Confirmatory testing is still pending.

The infected individual is fully cooperating and is isolating per MCDH guidance, the department said.

The MCDH is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health to conduct contact tracing to identify others who may have been in close contact with the individual while they were infectious.

Contacts will be offered post-exposure vaccination and will be monitored for 21 days for symptoms.

The MCDH said they have not identified additional cases in McHenry County yet but they are monitoring for them.

“Monkeypox is not a new virus, but it is not common in the United States,” said Susan Karras, Director of Public Health Nursing.

“The risk is low, but anyone can become infected with monkeypox regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation. Early identification, treatment, and post exposure vaccination of close contacts will help in reducing further spread,” Karras said.

The risk is low to residents of McHenry County. Officials encourage individuals to seek medical attention for any symptoms.

Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, a rash that looks like pimples or blisters, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

Monkeypox can be transmitted to anyone through direct contact with body fluids and through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox is contagious and can spread to others until scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed, officials said.

There have been 1,814 confirmed cases of monkeypox virus so far this year in United States residents, with 174 cases occurring in Illinois, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Lifeguards, staff honored for saving man who nearly drowned in public pool near Vernon Hills

Posted: 16 Jul 2022 05:05 PM PDT

Payton Ernsteen, Kylie Schuldt, Austin Zehnder and Ethan Greenhouse stand next to Vernon Township Supervisor Jonathan Altenberg after being presented awards for their actions in helping with the rescue and revival of a swimmer on June 14, 2022, at Vernon Township Peterson Park. | Provided Photo

The pool staff who successfully revived a man who was unresponsive after nearly drowning in a public pool near Vernon Hills last month were presented awards on Thursday.

The incident happened around 5:15 p.m. on June 14 at the Vernon Township Peterson Park Pool, 16652 North Buffalo Grove Road in unincorporated Vernon Hills.

The Lincolnshire Riverwoods Fire Protection District said at the time that dispatchers received a call for a report of a cardiac arrest at the pool.

Dispatchers were told that the incident was for a drowning victim.

Emergency crews arrived to find the patient out of the pool and CPR was being performed by the lifeguards.

Emergency crews assisted with advanced life support measures, fire officials said.

File Photo – Vernon Township William E. Peterson Park | Photo: Vernon Township

The male victim was revived and talking as paramedics began to transport them to a nearby hospital.

The fire district credited the pool staff’s quick actions of rescuing the subject and immediately performing CPR.

Ainslee Cutler, Payton Ernsteen, Ethan Greenhouse, Brian Povilus, Kylie Schuldt and Austin Zehnder were awarded for their actions during a Vernon Township board meeting on Thursday.

Andrea Comes, who is the aquatics director, was also recognized for creating an emergency action plan and conducting staff training that contributed to the successful rescue.

“These lifeguards reacted just as they were trained and helped save a drowning victim in the pool. They reacted quickly, initiated life saving CPR and called 911,” the fire district said.

“We were happy to be there tonight to see these lifeguards get recognized for their outstanding life saving work!”

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Man charged in home invasion where he allegedly punched woman, bit man near Lake Villa

Posted: 16 Jul 2022 03:38 PM PDT

Nicholas J. Coles, 33, of Fox Lake.

A Fox Lake man is facing numerous charges after police say he committed a home invasion near Lake Villa where he punched a woman and bit a man Friday evening.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said deputies responded around 10:45 p.m. Friday to the 36600 block of North Mary Drive in unincorporated Lake Villa for a home invasion call.

The 911 caller reported that Nicholas J. Coles, 33, of the 0-100 block of Lippincott Road in Fox Lake, had kicked her front door open.

Covelli said that Coles attacked a 35-year-old woman, who resides at the house.

The woman was punched several times and sustained several broken teeth and bruises in the attack.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Brooke Wanzenberg said during a bond hearing that the victim used to be in a dating relationship with Coles.

A 43-year-old Lake Villa man was also inside the home at the time and was able to push Coles off the victim.

Coles struck and bit the man before fleeing the scene, Covelli said.

A regional broadcast to area law enforcement was issued following the incident.

Several hours later, an alert sheriff's deputy on patrol located Coles' vehicle in unincorporated Spring Grove, Covelli said.

Coles was located inside a residence in the 28200 block of West Stewart Avenue in unincorporated Spring Grove.

He was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

Coles was arrested and charged with home invasion, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, domestic battery and battery.

Lake County Judge Veronica O’Malley ordered Coles held on a $200,000 bond. He would need to post $20,000 cash in order to be released.

He is scheduled to appear in court again on August 3.

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Former substitute teacher in Algonquin pleads guilty to sending sexually explicit message to student

Posted: 16 Jul 2022 01:27 PM PDT

Brandon Memmini, 26, of Lake in the Hills.

A Lake in the Hills man has pleaded guilty to sending a sexually explicit message to a student at an Algonquin school where he worked as a substitute teacher.

Brandon Memmini, 26, of the 800 block of Noelle Bend in Lake in the Hills, was charged in January 2021 with indecent solicitation of a child, three counts of grooming and distribution of explicit material to a minor.

A grand jury indictment said that Memmini discussed sexual conduct with a child over the internet.

He had sent a photo on Snapchat with the caption, “Probably not. If anything I’d have to f–k you in my car,” according to the indictment.

By doing so, Memmini attempted to “seduce, solicit, lure or entice” the child, the indictment said.

The man also allegedly sent a video on Snapchat to the child showing him committing a sex act on himself.

The offenses occurred in December 2019 and January 2020.

The Northwest Herald reported that Memmini worked as a substitute teacher around the same time at Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin.

The victim in the case was a 15-year-old girl, who was a student at the high school, the Herald reported.

Memmini entered into a negotiated plea deal last week where he pleaded guilty to one count of grooming, a Class 4 felony, in exchange for the rest of his charges being dismissed.

Memmini remains out of jail on a $10,000 bond, records show.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 25.

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‘I am forever grateful’: Lake Villa woman thanks firefighters, paramedics who helped deliver her baby

Posted: 16 Jul 2022 11:02 AM PDT

Paramedics successfully helped Lake Villa resident Nina Purtell with the delivery of her baby, Courtney Paige, on July 4, 2022. | Provided Photo

A Lake Villa woman said she is “forever grateful” for the Lake Villa firefighters and paramedics who helped her deliver her baby earlier this month.

Nina Purtell told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that she wanted to share a feel-good story following the mass shooting in Highland Park on July 4.

Purtell was pregnant with her third child and in early labor during the holiday weekend.

Hours after the Highland Park shooting — on the opposite side of Lake County — Purtell was celebrating the Fourth of July with neighbors who were lighting off their annual fireworks in Lake Villa.

Purtell said her water broke and she went into active labor.

“It being my 3rd child, things progressed quickly so we called 911,” she said.

The Lake Villa Fire Protection District responded to the call at Purtell’s home.

“Within minutes the Lake Villa Fire Department/EMS team showed up at my house with a full team of people ready to step in and help,” Purtell said.

“Apparently these men and women do not get the opportunity to be involved in many births so everyone seemed eager, although slightly shocked, to be a part of this since reality had sunk in that we would not be making it to the hospital,” she said.

The fire department crew, which Purtell called “amazing,” successfully delivered the woman’s newborn girl, Courtney Paige, at 9:45 p.m. on July 4.

“Given the unfortunate events that occurred in Highland Park on July 4th, I thought the area could use a feel-good story about that day and my local fire department/EMS team definitely deserves some recognition for how fantastic they handled the situation,” she said.

“It was such a beautiful moment in the midst of a very emotionally tolling day. I am forever grateful to the people of this outstanding department and cannot wait for them to meet the new life they helped my family bring into this world,” Purtell added.

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2 firefighters treated after heavy fire damages vacant store in Algonquin

Posted: 16 Jul 2022 08:54 AM PDT

Two firefighters were evaluated by paramedics after a structure fire at a vacant building near Cary Road and North Main Street in Algonquin Friday. | Photo: Alex Vucha / Lake and McHenry County Scanner

Police and fire investigators, including the state fire marshal, are investigating after a vacant costume store in Algonquin was damaged during a fire Friday.

The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District responded around 6:11 p.m. Friday to the former Fantasy Festival Costumes, located at 901 Cary Road in Algonquin, for a report of a structure fire.

Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District Deputy Chief John Knebl said a person driving by called 911 to report the fire.

Two firefighters were evaluated by paramedics after a structure fire at a vacant building near Cary Road and North Main Street in Algonquin Friday. | Photo: Alex Vucha / Lake and McHenry County Scanner

Firefighters arrived within five minutes to find a “large volume of fire” in the rear of the vacant structure.

Crews made an aggressive attack from the exterior and extinguished the fire in 30 minutes, Knebl said.

Two firefighters were treated on the scene by paramedics but did not require transport to the hospital.

No civilian injuries were reported.

Two firefighters were evaluated by paramedics after a structure fire at a vacant building near Cary Road and North Main Street in Algonquin Friday. | Photo: Alex Vucha / Lake and McHenry County Scanner

The cause of the fire is undetermined and is still under investigation, Knebl said.

Algonquin fire investigators along with the Algonquin Police Department and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal are investigating the fire.

A damage estimate was not immediately available.

The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District was assisted by firefighters from the Carpentersville, Fox River Grove, Huntley, Crystal Lake and Hampshire fire departments.

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Driver rescued by firefighters after truck drives into pond, becomes fully submerged in Vernon Hills

Posted: 16 Jul 2022 07:16 AM PDT

Firefighters assist recovery crews with removing a vehicle that drove into a pond near 171 Corporate Woods Parkway in Vernon Hills Friday morning. | Photo: Max Weingardt

Firefighters rescued a driver and transported them to the hospital after they drove their truck into a pond in Vernon Hills, authorities said.

The Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District responded around 7 a.m. Friday to the area of Fuji America Corporation, 171 Corporate Woods Parkway in Vernon Hills.

Fire officials said dispatchers received a call for a car that drove off the roadway into a pond.

Firefighters arrived on the scene within three minutes of the call and found a single victim in the water.

Two firefighters, trained in water rescue, were able to enter the water and assist the patient to shore.

Firefighters assist recovery crews with removing a vehicle that drove into a pond near 171 Corporate Woods Parkway in Vernon Hills Friday morning. | Photo: Max Weingardt

The patient was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, fire officials said.

Ernie’s Auto & Truck Center was called to the scene to remove the red Ford F-150 from the pond after it became almost fully submerged in water.

Area fire departments and the Vernon Hills Police Department also responded to the scene.

The fire district said that anyone who ever experiences the same situation should roll down their windows or open their car door immediately to prevent getting trapped in a sinking car.

The cause of Friday’s crash was not immediately known.

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