Lake and McHenry County Scanner |
- Waukegan alderman charged with dozens of felonies after official misconduct investigation
- Health department issues warning after mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in McHenry County
- Beach Park man arrested after allegedly hitting, injuring baby because it woke up crying
- 8 people shot, 1 killed, in four separate shootings in Waukegan and North Chicago
- 18-year-old man identified as victim fatally shot in parking lot of Waukegan apartment complex
- Coroner identifies 61-year-old woman who died after going missing, being found in hospital pond near Barrington
- North Chicago police officers awarded for apprehending Highland Park mass shooter
- Man who went missing near Lake Barrington found safe, sheriff’s office says
- Firefighters rescue dog after house catches on fire while family was away from home in Mundelein
- ‘Absolute shock’: 59-year-old man identified after being killed in motorcycle crash on I-94 near Deerfield
- Firefighters battle heavy fire in automotive repair facility in Algonquin
- Man in his late teens dies after being shot in parking lot of apartment complex in Waukegan
- Threats made, protests expected against Lake in the Hills cafe hosting child-friendly drag show
| Waukegan alderman charged with dozens of felonies after official misconduct investigation Posted: 21 Jul 2022 03:06 PM PDT    Roudell Kirkwood, the alderman of Waukegan’s 4th Ward, has been charged with dozens of felonies after court documents say he fraudulently obtained a gaming license for his businesses, profiting over $100,000. Kirkwood, 68, of Waukegan, was charged with 26 counts of forgery, a Class 3 felony; two counts of wire fraud, a Class 3 felony; two counts of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony; and one count of theft by deception, a Class 1 felony. An Illinois State Police spokesperson told Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Thursday that a regulatory investigation had been launched into Kirkwood. The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police Statewide Gaming Command and the Illinois Gaming Board. SGC and IGB agents discovered suspected official misconduct involving Kirkwood, the spokesperson said, adding that additional information was not available because the investigation is still ongoing. Kirkwood was indicted on the charges by a Lake County grand jury and the case was filed Sunday. Kirkwood allegedly committed 16 acts of forgery by falsifying documents that were submitted to the Illinois Gaming Board on different occasions in 2019. The indictment said Kirkwood committed an additional six acts of forgery by falsifying documents submitted to the City of Waukegan for a liquor license application. Kirkwood also allegedly committed four acts of forgery by falsifying documents submitted to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. The indictment said that Kirkwood committed two acts of wire fraud by falsifying documents submitted to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. In those two instances, Kirkwood was delinquent in paying the City of Waukegan for food and beverage taxes but claimed he was not, the indictment said. He also claimed he was not a public official. The two counts of official misconduct stem from Kirkwood failing to acknowledge on the applications that he was a public official, the indictment said. The indictment said that Kirkwood’s actions led to him fraudulently obtaining a video gaming license and making between $100,000 and $500,000 in gaming revenue. Kirkwood is the president of Mac Dynasty Inc., which operates several Lake County restaurants, public records show. “I'm very disappointed to learn that Alderman Kirkwood has been indicted on many serious charges, and I hope he puts his constituents first at this time,” Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said in a statement. “While I'm a firm believer in our justice system and due process, as a former Alderman, I know that having a multi-count felony indictment is incompatible with the best interests of the residents and businesses of the 4th ward,” Taylor said. Court records show a warrant was issued but then stayed after the indictment was filed. Kirkwood is scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday for an arraignment hearing. The post Waukegan alderman charged with dozens of felonies after official misconduct investigation appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| Posted: 21 Jul 2022 01:50 PM PDT   Health officials are warning the public after a batch of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus for the first time this year in McHenry County. A mosquito "pool," also known as a batch of mosquitoes, was sampled on Tuesday in Lake in the Hills and tested positive for West Nile virus. The McHenry County Department of Public Health said this mosquito pool is the first confirmed indicator of West Nile virus presence in McHenry County in 2022. Four birds were submitted for testing from McHenry County so far this year and all have been negative for the virus. One bird and 108 mosquito batches have been positive this year in Illinois. “Infected birds can become carriers of WNV through the bite of an infected mosquito and then pass the virus onto mosquitoes that feed on them. WNV is transmitted to humans predominantly through the bite of Culex mosquitoes, the primary vector for West Nile Virus transmission in Illinois,” the health department said. Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis, meningitis and death, are possible. Persons 60 and older have the highest risk of serious illness, health officials said. There is no vaccine available for WNV. Officials in nearby Lake County recommend the public practice the "4 Ds of Defense" to protect themselves and family from mosquitoes:
Culex pipiens mosquitoes, which are the primary carriers of West Nile virus, are most abundant when the weather is hot. Residents can help prevent these mosquitoes from breeding by eliminating areas of stagnant water from their properties. Items like buckets, gutters and plant containers, kiddie pools, and any other items holding water around homes and businesses can become breeding sites. From May through October, McHenry County health department staff conduct West Nile surveillance throughout McHenry County. Mosquito batch collection and testing are conducted weekly. The post Health department issues warning after mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in McHenry County appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| Beach Park man arrested after allegedly hitting, injuring baby because it woke up crying Posted: 21 Jul 2022 12:12 PM PDT   A Beach Park man is being held on a $350,000 bond after police say he struck a baby several times, injuring it, because the child woke up during the night crying. Linyorth S. Siu-Jackson, 24, of the 39000 block of North Sheridan Road in Beach Park, was charged with aggravated battery to a child causing great bodily harm and harassment through electronic communication. Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said detectives took a report of a battery to a child that occurred during the Fourth of July weekend. The complainant is the mother of a 9-month-old boy. The woman reported that her relative, Siu-Jackson, was babysitting the 9-month-old overnight during the Fourth of July weekend. Siu-Jackson allegedly struck the baby on the back several times, causing injuries, after the child woke up in the middle of the night crying, Covelli said. When the mother noticed the injuries, she took her infant to the hospital. The boy was examined by doctors, treated and released. The extent of his injuries was not released. Siu-Jackson was arrested at his home without incident on July 13 following an investigation. Covelli said that Siu-Jackson was additionally charged after he threatened to cause bodily harm to the mother’s family via electronic message. Siu-Jackson remains held in the Lake County Jail on a $350,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 10. The post Beach Park man arrested after allegedly hitting, injuring baby because it woke up crying appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| 8 people shot, 1 killed, in four separate shootings in Waukegan and North Chicago Posted: 21 Jul 2022 10:58 AM PDT    Eight people were shot, including one fatally, in four separate shootings in Waukegan and North Chicago within hours of each other Wednesday evening. The first shooting happened around 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 2400 block of West Greenwood Avenue in Waukegan. Waukegan police officers arrived and found two men who were severely injured after being shot, Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Joe Florip said. The first victim is in his 30s and lives in Waukegan. The second victim is in his 20s and lives in the Old Mill Creek area.  Both men were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and the first victim was pronounced dead. Detectives believe both victims were sitting in their car when they were shot. An unknown suspect or suspects in a dark-colored sedan drove up, shot the men, then fled the scene, Florip said. No one is in custody and police continue to investigate.  Police then responded to a shooting in the 1400 block of Melrose Avenue in Waukegan around 10 p.m., Florip said. As officers arrived, they were notified that three men, who all had gunshot wounds, drove themselves to the Gas Stop located at 2720 Washington Street. All three victims live in Waukegan. Two are in their 30s and the other is in his 20s, Florip said. Three victims were transported to area hospitals where they are expected to survive.  Police do not believe the two shootings are connected and they are being investigated as separate incidents. No one is in custody for this shooting either, Florip said. Minutes later, police in North Chicago responded around 10:12 p.m. to the 1300 block of Jackson Avenue for a report of a person shot. One victim was transported in unknown condition to a local hospital. A fourth shooting occurred at around 10:48 p.m. near 17th Street and Victoria Avenue in North Chicago.  A total of three ambulances responded and at least two people were shot. Three people were transported to area hospitals. The night before, an 18-year-old man was shot and killed outside an apartment complex in the 2400 block of Samson Way in Waukegan. It is unknown if anyone is in custody for the shootings in North Chicago. The post 8 people shot, 1 killed, in four separate shootings in Waukegan and North Chicago appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| 18-year-old man identified as victim fatally shot in parking lot of Waukegan apartment complex Posted: 21 Jul 2022 09:32 AM PDT    An 18-year-old man was identified as the victim who was fatally shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Waukegan Tuesday evening. An autopsy completed by the Lake County Coroner’s Office Wednesday showed Alvaro Ruiz Jr., 18, of Waukegan, died from multiple gunshot wounds. The Waukegan Police Department responded around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday to the 2400 block of Samson Way in Waukegan for a call of shots fired. Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Joe Florip said officers arrived and found Ruiz Jr. had been shot. He was found in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Ruiz Jr. was transported by Waukegan Fire Department paramedics to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. The Waukegan Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division and Community Crimes Division were called to investigate. Detectives believed the man was specifically targeted, Florip said. Numerous shell casings were recovered at the scene. A semi-automatic handgun was also recovered. Police did not say how many casings were recovered or what role the recovered gun plays in the investigation. Detectives believe the offender or offenders fled the scene in a light-colored vehicle, possibly an SUV, Florip said. Authorities said Wednesday afternoon that no one is in custody. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Waukegan Police Department tip line at 847-360-9001. The post 18-year-old man identified as victim fatally shot in parking lot of Waukegan apartment complex appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| Posted: 21 Jul 2022 08:06 AM PDT    The coroner has identified the woman found dead in a pond in front of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Barrington late Monday evening. An autopsy completed Tuesday showed the death Michelle Riechers, 61, of Lake in the Hills, is consistent with drowning, the Lake County Coroner’s Office said. Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said deputies were called to the hospital, located at 450 Route 22 in unincorporated Barrington, around 7:15 p.m. Monday. They were notified that Riechers left the hospital. The woman was being treated in the emergency department and left on foot before she was discharged. “There were concerns about the person's mental state and sheriff's deputies immediately attempted to locate her,” Covelli said. Sheriff's deputies were joined by friends and family of Riechers and a search began. Lake County Sheriff's Canine Duke led deputies to the retention bond on the south end of the hospital property. A sheriff's drone was deployed and the drone pilot spotted Riechers unresponsive in the water. Fire personnel were called to the scene around 11:30 p.m. and recovered the woman. They attempted life-saving measures but she was pronounced deceased, Covelli said. Covelli said foul play does not appear to be a factor, however, the incident remains under investigation by Lake County Sheriff's Office detectives. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our hearts go out to this individual's loved ones,” a spokesperson for the hospital told Lake and McHenry County Scanner. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing further details at this time. We are coordinating with local authorities, and we refer all inquiries to the Lake County Sheriff's Department,” the spokesperson said. The post Coroner identifies 61-year-old woman who died after going missing, being found in hospital pond near Barrington appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| North Chicago police officers awarded for apprehending Highland Park mass shooter Posted: 20 Jul 2022 05:13 PM PDT    Five North Chicago police officers who chased down the Highland Park mass shooting suspect and successfully arrested him were awarded for their actions on Monday. Officers Gary Grayer, Mike Mueller, Cory Collum, Chris Mueller and Matthew Decowski were presented with letters of commendation. Two additional North Chicago officers, Thomas Kropp and Donald Florance, were recognized for their efforts in assisting the Lake County Major Crime Task Force and the FBI with the investigation. North Chicago Police Chief Lazaro Perez said the Grayer was the first officer to spot Robert Crimo’s 2010 Honda Fit as it traveled on Route 41 through North Chicago on July 4. Dispatchers moments prior had advised officers to be on the lookout after a citizen called 911 to report they spotted the suspect vehicle. Grayer, along with the Mueller brothers, Collum and Decowski, coordinated a high-risk traffic stop on the Honda with the assistance of other police agencies. They were able to stop the Honda at Route 41 and Westleigh Road in Lake Forest.  Crimo, 21, of Highwood, was armed with a rifle and ammunition when police stopped his car. The officers ordered Crimo out of the car at gunpoint and arrested him without incident. “Without situational awareness, and the coordination of Officer Grayer, as well as the teamwork of officers Collum, Decowski, [Chris] Mueller and [Mike] Mueller, this incident may have escalated into another tragedy,” Perez said during a Monday city council meeting. Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli previously said that Crimo pre-planned the Highland Park attack for several weeks. Crimo allegedly brought a high-powered rifle to the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. Covelli said that Crimo used a fire escape ladder to access the roof of a building on the parade route. Crimo then allegedly opened fire on parade-goers, killing seven people and injuring over 45 people. Over 80 rounds were fired from the rifle. Crimo, who was dressed as a woman, exited the roof, dropped the rifle and escaped with the fleeing crowd, according to Covelli. He remains held in the Lake County Jail after Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered him held without bond. The post North Chicago police officers awarded for apprehending Highland Park mass shooter appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| Man who went missing near Lake Barrington found safe, sheriff’s office says Posted: 20 Jul 2022 04:01 PM PDT   The 35-year-old man who went missing near Lake Barrington Tuesday afternoon was found safe, officials said. Daniel Spears, 35, left Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in unincorporated Barrington on foot Tuesday. Spears was last seen in the area of Route 22 and Kelsey Road near Lake Barrington Tuesday afternoon, Lake County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.  Police said at the time Spears was endangered and they were concerned for his wellbeing. Numerous police departments were seen Tuesday setting up a perimeter and searching the area for the man. Spears was later located and is safe, the sheriff’s office said in an update Wednesday afternoon. The post Man who went missing near Lake Barrington found safe, sheriff’s office says appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| Firefighters rescue dog after house catches on fire while family was away from home in Mundelein Posted: 20 Jul 2022 02:06 PM PDT   Firefighters rescued a dog after a house caught on fire in Mundelein on Monday while the residents were not home, fire officials said. The Mundelein Fire Department responded around 4:34 p.m. Monday to the 800 block of Tall Grass Lane in Mundelein for an activated fire alarm. Countryside Fire Protection District firefighters were first on the scene within four minutes, according to Mundelein Deputy Fire Chief Darren Brents. Crews reported smoke coming from a dryer vent at the rear of the home. Firefighters pulled a hose line to the front of the home and aggressively attacked the fire while other firefighters connected to a nearby fire hydrant. Firefighters entered the structure to check for extension of the fire and any trapped occupants. Crews quickly located a family dog and were able to remove it from the home unharmed. Lake Zurich Firefighter-Paramedic Alex Tanner administered oxygen using a pet oxygen mask to the dog. The homeowners were not home at the time of the incident and the fire was reported under control at 5:23 p.m. No civilians or firefighters were injured in the fire. The dog was reunited with the residents shortly after. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Mundelein Fire Department. A damage estimate was not available. The fire was fought by 22 firefighters staffing five fire engines, one tower ladder, one squad, three ambulances and one incident command vehicle. The Mundelein Fire Department was assisted by the Mundelein Police Department and firefighters from Countryside, Libertyville, Lake Zurich, Gurnee, Lake Villa, Deerfield, Lake Forest and Lincolnshire. The Mundelein Fire Department said they remind residents to have functioning smoke detectors to provide early warning of a fire. The post Firefighters rescue dog after house catches on fire while family was away from home in Mundelein appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| Posted: 20 Jul 2022 12:06 PM PDT    A Wisconsin man has been identified after he was killed in a crash involving his motorcycle and a semi-truck last week on Interstate 94 near Deerfield. The Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District and Illinois State Police responded around 1:46 p.m. Thursday to Interstate 94 near Deerfield Road in Deerfield. An Illinois State Police spokesperson said District 15 troopers responded to a call of a two-vehicle crash with injuries. The crash involved a motorcycle and truck tractor semi-trailer in the westbound lanes of traffic. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead following the collision, the spokesperson said. Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton said the victim was identified as William L. Graves, 59, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The driver of the semi-truck did not report any injuries. All westbound lanes were shut down for several hours for a crash investigation. The interstate was reopened around 4:25 p.m. Thursday. According to his obituary, Graves leaves behind his wife and four children. He was also a grandfather of three. One of his children created a GoFundMe to raise money for Graves’ wife. “My dad was living on disability checks and my mom is a manager of a gas station. And now with my dad having passed, my mom won't get those disability checks anymore to help with expenses,” Sarah Graves said. “This was an absolute shock to our family. My dad has been out riding thousands of times and has always come back home… but this time he didn’t. This event has truly shattered our hearts,” she said. Almost $2,000 has been raised with a goal of $5,000. The post ‘Absolute shock’: 59-year-old man identified after being killed in motorcycle crash on I-94 near Deerfield appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| Firefighters battle heavy fire in automotive repair facility in Algonquin Posted: 20 Jul 2022 10:08 AM PDT   Firefighters battled heavy fire conditions after a fire broke out in an automotive repair facility in Algonquin Tuesday evening, authorities said. The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District responded around 7:29 p.m. Tuesday to 1045 West Algonquin Road in unincorporated Algonquin for a report of a structure fire. Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District Deputy Chief John Knebl said firefighters arrived in two minutes.  They encountered heavy fire conditions from a multi-unit automotive repair facility. The incident was quickly elevated through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) to a box alarm response. The upgrade brought over a dozen area fire departments to help with extinguishing the blaze, Knebl said.  Crews made an “aggressive interior attack” and the fire was brought in about 15 minutes. The fire was declared out at 8:33 p.m. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported. A damage estimate was not available. The cause of the fire is undetermined and is still under investigation, Knebl said.  The fire is being investigated by Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire District investigators and the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. Firefighters from the Cary, Fox River Grove, Huntley, Crystal Lake, Rutland-Dundee, Elgin, West Dundee, Barrington-Countryside, Barrington, McHenry, Woodstock, Nunda-Rural, Pingree Grove fire departments assisted. The McHenry County Sheriff's Office, Algonquin Police Department and the Salvation Army also responded to the scene. The post Firefighters battle heavy fire in automotive repair facility in Algonquin appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| Man in his late teens dies after being shot in parking lot of apartment complex in Waukegan Posted: 20 Jul 2022 08:17 AM PDT A man, who police say was in his late teens, died after being shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Waukegan Tuesday evening. The Waukegan Police Department responded around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday to the 2400 block of Samson Way in Waukegan for a call of shots fired. Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Joe Florip said officers arrived and found a victim that had been shot. The victim was found in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The victim was transported by Waukegan Fire Department paramedics to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. Florip said the victim was an adult male in his late teens. He was a Waukegan resident. The man’s identity will be released following an autopsy by the Lake County Coroner’s Office. The Waukegan Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division and Community Crimes Division were called to investigate. Detectives believed the victim was specifically targeted, Florip said. Numerous shell casings were recovered at the scene. A semi-automatic handgun was also recovered. Police did not say how many casings were recovered or what role the recovered gun plays in the investigation. Detectives believe the offender or offenders fled the scene in a light-colored vehicle, possibly an SUV, Florip said. No one is in custody yet. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Waukegan Police Department tip line at 847-360-9001. The post Man in his late teens dies after being shot in parking lot of apartment complex in Waukegan appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
| Threats made, protests expected against Lake in the Hills cafe hosting child-friendly drag show Posted: 20 Jul 2022 06:47 AM PDT   UpRising Bakery and Cafe in Lake in the Hills has received threats and protests are expected after the cafe announced they are hosting a drag show where children are welcome. The Lake in the Hills Police Department said in a statement Tuesday that they began to receive messages on July 6 from concerned citizens regarding a drag show performance being hosted by the business, located at 2104 West Algonquin Road, scheduled for July 23. Police say that residents expressed concerns due to children being allowed to attend the event. According to the event website, children of all ages are welcome and kids’ tickets are reduced price. The police department and the Lake in the Hills Community Development Department contacted the business owner and have “been in regular communication regarding the event.” Police say no violations of the Village of Lake in the Hills municipal code were found and no nudity or sexually explicit content is reported to be a part of the scheduled performance. UpRising Bakery and Cafe's owner reported receiving in-person and online threats to the business. In one instance, a bag of feces was left outside near the employee door and a threatening note was left on the door, according to police reports. The police department said they are aware of protests and counter-protests planned to occur on Saturday. “The safety and Constitutional rights of everyone who may choose to participate is the priority of the Police Department. We are taking measures to ensure that everyone has the right to engage in peaceful protest,” the police department said in the statement. “The department will be taking a zero-tolerance approach for those individuals who choose to attend with plans to engage in acts of violence or criminal activity,” the statement added. Corinna Sac, the owner of the business, said in an interview with WGN that she has been overwhelmed by hate and negativity. “I just wish that people would understand we're not targeting children,” Sac said during the interview. “There are children tickets available for those families who wish to bring their children and for the families who decide that's OK for their family setting,” she added. The post Threats made, protests expected against Lake in the Hills cafe hosting child-friendly drag show appeared first on Lake and McHenry County Scanner. |
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