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Archive for the ‘Lake & McHenry County Scanner’ Category

Victim left seriously injured after being punched in head by suspect at Metra station in Barrington

Posted in Crime, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, METRA, Public Safety on July 23, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Timothy A. Kirschner, 60, of Arlington Heights, (inset) is being held in custody after being charged with attacking another man by punching him in the head, causing serious injury, at the Metra station, 201 South Spring Street in Barrington, Saturday evening. | Background Photo: Google Street View; Inset: Provided

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A victim was hospitalized with serious injuries after police say a man punched him in the face at the Metra station in Barrington Saturday evening.

The Barrington Police Department and Barrington Fire Department responded around 8 p.m. Saturday to a report of a battery at the Metra station, 201 South Spring Street in Barrington.

Barrington Police Chief David Daigle said officers arrived and found an injured 42-year-old man.

Daigle said the victim reported he was punched in the face at the train station by a suspect, identified as Timothy A. Kirschner, 60, of Arlington Heights.

Four subjects, believed to be homeless, were hanging out at the station and talking.

The victim said something that offended Kirschner, who then attacked him, Daigle said.

The victim was transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington where he was diagnosed with serious injuries, including head trauma.

Report continues here.

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Man charged with terrorism threats after ‘alarming’ threats toward Vernon Hills High School, South Barrington church

Posted in Lake & McHenry County Scanner, South Barrington on July 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Ryan Kang, 26, of Vernon Hills, (inset) is accused of making an array of threats toward people and institutions, including Vernon Hills High School, and was arrested over the weekend. | Background Photo: VHHS; Inset: Provided

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A man is facing terroristic threats charges after authorities say he made numerous “alarming” threats of bombing and shooting, including toward Vernon Hills High School and a church in South Barrington.

Ryan Kang, 26, of Vernon Hills, was charged with two counts of terrorism by false threat, a Class 1 felony.

The Vernon Hills Police Department began an investigation into Kang after multiple people, including his own family, made reports to the police regarding threatening posts.

Vernon Hills Deputy Police Chief Shannon Holubetz said there was a series of concerning social media posts that were perceived as threatening certain institutions and people.

The threats included references to school shootings, bombings and acts of interpersonal violence.

The threats were made to Vernon Hills High School, Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and multiple out-of-state residents, Holubetz said.

Report continues here.

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Wildfire smoke from Canada filling Chicagoland area, air quality alert issued advising people to limit outdoor time

Posted in Lake & McHenry County Scanner on July 16, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Illinois EPA issued a Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day amid smoke from a large number of wildfires in Canada filling the northern Illinois area, causing unhealthy air quality. | Screengrab

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Officials say wildfire smoke from Canada is filling the Chicagoland area and an air quality alert has been issued, with air quality levels over 300 in Lake County as people are being urged to limit outdoor time.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day for Thursday for the Chicago area, including Rockford.

The Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day is declared due to a forecast of unhealthy-red category particulates or ozone and is in effect until midnight Thursday.

Northern Illinois is on the edge of a thick plume of surface smoke moving in from the north and cleaner air to the south, the alert said.

“There is some uncertainty in how far south the smoke progresses and the duration of the poor air quality as this dividing line may meander in and out of Northern IL through Friday,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

The Illinois EPA issued a Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day amid smoke from a large number of wildfires in Canada filling the northern Illinois area, causing unhealthy air quality. | Screengrab

Those with air quality concerns or outdoor plans are encouraged to check current NowCast readings.

Everyone should reduce prolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors on Thursday, the alert said.

Report continues here.

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‘This is huge’: MLB selects McHenry Outdoor Theater as 1 of only 4 drive-ins in country for America250 celebration

Posted in Entertainment, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, Nostalgia on June 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Dylan Gallardo and Hailey Koenig, both of Algonquin, play catch before the movies start on a recent weeknight at the McHenry Outdoor Theater in Lakemoor where Major League Baseball will host an America250 event July 4. | Provided Photo

By LMCS Staff Report | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Major League Baseball has selected the McHenry Outdoor Theater to be one of only four drive-ins in the United States to host an America250 celebration on the Fourth of July.

Festivities at the McHenry Outdoor Theater on July 4 will include a showing of the classic childhood baseball film “The Sandlot,” a live screening of the evening’s Cubs vs. Cardinals game, Ballpark Bites, baseball-themed activities like wiffle ball, a pop fly scramble and virtual batting cages.

A fireworks display will cap off the night.

“From a community standpoint, this is huge,” McHenry Outdoor Theater President of Marketing and Promotions Joe Cicero. “To be recognized by Major League Baseball doesn’t happen every day.”

The Major League Baseball (MLB) is in the midst of a multi-tiered America250 campaign and selected McHenry Outdoor Theater to be one of four sites for the Fourth of July Summer Drive-in Celebration.

Dylan Gallardo and Hailey Koenig, both of Algonquin, play catch before the movies start on a recent weeknight at the McHenry Outdoor Theater in Lakemoor where Major League Baseball will host an America250 event July 4. | Provided Photo

The others are the Delsea, Swan and Paramount drive-ins, which are respectively located in Vineland, New Jersey; Blue Ridge, Georgia; and Paramount, California.

“What’s more American than baseball and drive-ins?” said Scott Dehn, owner of the McHenry Outdoor Theater in Lakemoor.

Article continues here.

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‘They bring serious concerns’: Board votes to temporarily ban new data centers in unincorporated Lake County

Posted in AI, County, Data Center, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lake, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, Land Use, Plum Farm development, Politics, School Districts, Topics Of Interest on June 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Lake County Board voted to pursue a temporary data center moratorium in unincorporated Lake County during its meeting earlier this month. The T5 Data Center Campus in Grayslake, which was approved last year by the Grayslake Village Board but has not been built (rendering pictured), has sparked criticism and caused debate about data centers in Lake County. | Provided Photo

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

The county board has voted to temporarily ban new data centers from being approved in unincorporated Lake County, with one board member saying they bring “serious concerns” and a regulatory review is needed.

The Lake County Board approved a resolution earlier this month to hold a public hearing related to data centers in unincorporated Lake County.

The resolution directs the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals to conduct the hearing, which will be used to discuss proposed amendments to the Code of Ordinances that would both define data centers and establish an eight-month temporary moratorium on data centers.

Data centers are not currently specifically defined or regulated under county ordinances.

The county board’s action earlier this month did not actually impose the eight-month moratorium, which will take several weeks to several months to complete the actual text amendment process.

The board’s approval of the resolution did authorize the Lake County Planning, Building and Development department to pause review of data center applications for a period of up to four months.

Article continues here.

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2 mini ponies, multiple chickens die after fire engulfs and destroys barn near Wauconda

Posted in Animal Welfare, Lake & McHenry County Scanner on June 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Numerous fire department respond to the 27000 block of West May Street in unincorporated Wauconda after a fire destroyed a barn and left multiple animals dead Friday afternoon. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2026)

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Two miniature ponies and multiple chickens died after a fire fully engulfed and destroyed a barn, causing $150,000 in damage, near Wauconda Friday afternoon.

The Wauconda Fire District responded around 2:15 p.m. Friday to the 27000 block of West May Street in unincorporated Wauconda for a report of a structure fire.

Wauconda Fire District Battalion Chief Adam Schlick said fire crews responding spotted a large column of smoke from Route 176.

Numerous fire department respond to the 27000 block of West May Street in unincorporated Wauconda after a fire destroyed a barn and left multiple animals dead Friday afternoon. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2026)

Firefighters arrived and found heavy flames coming from a barn located approximately 400 feet from the roadway.

The barn was only 15 feet away from a nearby residence, placing it at risk, Schlick said.

Fire crews quickly deployed hose lines and were able to get water on the fire in less than three minutes from arrival.

Numerous fire department respond to the 27000 block of West May Street in unincorporated Wauconda after a fire destroyed a barn and left multiple animals dead Friday afternoon. | Photo provided

The fire occurred in an area that does not have fire hydrants and firefighters established a rural water supply using water tenders.

Report continues here.

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Police announce 2nd suspect charged after masked suspects ransack luxury boutique in Barrington of $106K in merchandise

Posted in Crime, Lake & McHenry County Scanner on June 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Surveillance video captured a half-dozen suspects forcing entry to ReStyle Designers of Barrington, 121 South Cook Street in Barrington, and stealing nearly all of the products in just a minute early in the morning on December 28. Cortney J. Shivers, 32, of Chicago, (inset left) and Jeremiah K. Brown, 21, (inset right) have both been charged in connection with the incident. | Background: Screengrab; Insets: Provided

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Police have announced charges against a second of six masked suspects who allegedly ransacked a boutique retailer in Barrington, stealing over $100,000 worth of merchandise in December.

The Barrington Police Department responded around 5 a.m. on December 28 to ReStyle Designers of Barrington, 121 South Cook Street, following reports of a disturbance.

Barrington Police Chief David Daigle said a resident living above the business called 911 after hearing multiple males yelling loudly outside and witnessing two vehicles speeding away from the scene.

Officers discovered that the front door of ReStyle Designers had been forced open.

The business owner, who was notified of the incident, responded to the scene and provided officers with surveillance footage that captured a burglary, Daigle said.

ReStyle Designers of Barrington said nearly all of the store’s inventory was stolen, leading to years of hard work and trust “gone in seconds.”

Report continues here.

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Male nurse arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting resident of assisted rehab facility in Barrington

Posted in Crime, Lake & McHenry County Scanner on June 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Olufemi I. Olaifa, 40, of Schaumburg, (inset) was taken into custody after being charged with felony sexual assault of a woman who was a resident of Alden Estates of Barrington, located at 1420 South Barrington Road in Barrington, while he worked at the facility as a nurse. | Background Photo: Google Street View; Inset: Provided

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Police say they have arrested a male nurse accused of sexually assaulting a female resident while working at an assisted rehabilitation facility in Barrington.

The Barrington Police Department announced Tuesday that they had arrested Olufemi I. Olaifa, 40, of Schaumburg.

The police department received a report on February 22 of a sexual assault at Alden Estates of Barrington, located at 1420 South Barrington Road, according to Barrington Chief of Police David Daigle.

The report involved a 30-year-old female resident of the facility being the victim.

Detectives immediately initiated an investigation and learned that the victim was sexually assaulted by a male nurse who was employed at the facility, Daigle said.

DNA evidence was collected from the victim and submitted to the crime lab for forensic analysis.

Daigle said the results confirmed a DNA match to the suspect, identified as Olaifa.

Report continues here.

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Health department warns after mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in McHenry County for first time in 2026

Posted in Lake & McHenry County Scanner on June 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Photo: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Health officials said Wednesday they 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 Friday in Fox River Grove and later tested positive for West Nile virus.

The McHenry County Department of Public Health (MCDH) said this mosquito pool is the first confirmed indicator of West Nile virus presence in McHenry County in 2026.

No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in McHenry County this year so far.

Report continues here.

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Driver left injured, trapped after forklift falls off back of semi-trailer and strikes his SUV in Barrington Hills

Posted in Accidents, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, Traffic, VBHPD on June 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Police shut down Route 68 east of Bateman Road in Barrington Hills for several hours to investigate a crash involving a forklift that struck another vehicle and left the driver injured Tuesday afternoon. | Photo: Nick Rusin

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A driver was hospitalized and had to be extricated after a forklift fell off a semi-tractor-trailer and struck his vehicle while driving in Barrington Hills Tuesday afternoon.

The Barrington Hills Police Department, East Dundee Fire Protection District and Carpentersville Fire Department responded around 4:14 p.m. Tuesday to the area of Route 68 and Bateman Road in Barrington Hills for a vehicle crash with injuries and entrapment.

Fire crews arrived on the scene and reported finding a forklift that fell from a truck and struck a car, causing heavy damage.

Police shut down Route 68 east of Bateman Road in Barrington Hills for several hours to investigate a crash involving a forklift that struck another vehicle and left the driver injured Tuesday afternoon. | Photo: Nick Rusin

Barrington Hills Police Department Media Relations Officer Bill Walsh said the incident occurred on Route 68, also known as Dundee Road, east of Bateman Road.

Firefighters worked to extricate the driver and sole occupant of a 2010 BMW X5.

Paramedics then transported him to Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin with non-life-threatening injuries, Walsh said. His exact condition was not released.

Police shut down Route 68 east of Bateman Road in Barrington Hills for several hours to investigate a crash involving a forklift that struck another vehicle and left the driver injured Tuesday afternoon. | Photo: Nick Rusin

A preliminary investigation showed a 2006 Kenworth semi-tractor-trailer with a forklift attached to the rear, commonly referred to as a piggyback forklift, was traveling east on Dundee Road.

Report continues here.

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