Lake County

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  Six Flags Great America in Gurnee to hold holiday festival, stay open through end of year

  Six Flags Great America in Gurnee has announced it will stay open through the end of the year for the first time in the park's history.   Read More ...

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  Illinois town votes to ban assault weapons, fine violators $1,00 - | WBTV Charlotte

  CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - The Village Board of Trustees in Deerfield, Ill., a suburb near Chicago, voted on April 2 to ban the possession, sale, and manufacture of assault weapons and large capacity magazines. Anyone refusing to give up their banned weapon will be fined $1,000 a day until the weapon is handed over or removed from the town's limits. According to the ordinance, semiautomatic rifles with a high-capacity magazine and a capacity to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition are banned   Read More ...

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  Illinois town bans assault weapons, will fine those who keep them

  The town of Deerfield, Ill., has moved to ban assault weapons, including the AR-15 used in the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, claiming the measure will make the town more safe from mass shootings. The ordinance was passed unanimously Monday by the Deerfield Village Board. It states the move is in the best interest of public health and will spur a culture change toward "the normative value that assault weapons should have no role or purpose in civil society   Read More ...

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  Police: Person shot to death by federal agent during armed confrontation in Zion

  A person was shot to death by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development agent after allegedly pointing a gun at the agent Thursday morning in north suburban Zion, authorities said.   Read More ...

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  Fatal shooting of Justus Howell was intended to stop 'deadly behavior,' Zion officer testifies

  Officer Eric Hill drew sharp breaths during pauses in his testimony on Monday, his second day on the stand in a federal lawsuit brought against him in the shooting death of a 17-year-old in Zion three years ago. Hill and the physician who performed Justus Howell's autopsy took the stand during the third overall day of testimony in a Chicago courtroom   Read More ...

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  Proposed Elm Street development in Deerfield reduced to 8 homes

  Plans for a proposed residential development on Elm Street south of Central Avenue in Deerfield continue to grow smaller, but some Deerfield Plan Commission members and nearby residents are concerned the project may still be too dense. Highland Park based Avanti Construction Group, Inc. presented its plan to build eight single-family homes on two contiguous lots to a workshop session of the Plan Commission March 9 after a larger project was rejected in November   Read More ...

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  Mundelein High School to hold first Latin-themed dance

  Two teachers at Mundelein High School are helping students organize a March 17 Latin dance called El Baile, and they say they’re hoping it’s successful enough to become an annual tradition. Homecoming and prom are among the most recognized dances, followed by the School’s turnabout dance that encourages girls to invite boys. English teacher Laura Garcia said students in the School’s Puertas Latin Culture Club had an idea for a new dance   Read More ...

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  Arrest made in North Chicago shooting death sparked by tavern altercation, police say

  A Waukegan man was being held on $3 million bail on two counts of first degree murder Monday in connection with a shooting in North Chicago that left a local man dead last week. According to the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, Andre G. Jones, 34, of the 1700 block of Longview Road, was taken into custody on March 7, two days after the shooting death of 29-year-old Melvin DeVost II   Read More ...

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  Zion cop testifies that he saw a gun in Justus Howell's hand before fatal 2015 shooting

  A ballistics expert and the Zion police officer who shot and killed 17-year-old Justus Howell nearly three years ago each took the stand Friday, the second day of testimony in a federal lawsuit over the teen's 2015 shooting death. In April 2015, Zion police officer Eric Hill shot Howell during a foot chase on the city's west side. The teen's grandmother, Alice Howell, who is the plaintiff in the case, is suing Hill and the city of Zion for damages in a suit that claims the officer acted recklessly and used excessive force when he shot her grandson   Read More ...

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  Grayslake man charged after 200 pot plants found growing in Elburn warehouse

  A Grayslake man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities found a marijuana growing operation Tuesday at a warehouse in west suburban Elburn.   Read More ...

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  Attorney claims Zion cop 'doctored the scene' after 2015 fatal shooting of teen Justus Howell

  Opening arguments began Thursday in a federal civil suit that claims a Zion police officer acted recklessly and used excessive force when he shot and killed a black teenager nearly three years ago. In April 2015, Zion officer Eric Hill, who is white, shot and killed 17-year-old Justus Howell after a brief pursuit in the 2300 block of Gilead Avenue in Zion   Read More ...

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  North Chicago fatal shooting victim identified

  The victim in a shooting early Monday has been identified as Melvin DeVost II of North Chicago. Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper said the preliminary autopsy results indicate he died from injuries sustained from a gunshot wound. The results of routine toxicology tests are pending, he said. North Chicago police and the Lake County Major Crime Task Force are investigating the shooting death of the 29-year-old   Read More ...

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  2 suspects sought in Grandwood Park armed robbery, sheriff says

  Lake County Sheriff's Office investigators are looking for two men who robbed a gas station along the busy Grand Avenue corridor between Grandwood Park and Gurnee this week. On Tuesday, dispatchers received a 911 call around 7 p.m. for an armed robbery at Grandwood Mobile at 18450 Grand, according to Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli. Two men entered the store, and one was wearing a ski-type mask while the other suspect had a piece of cloth covering his face, Covelli said   Read More ...

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  Kane Co. Investigates Marijuana Warehouse

  CHICAGO (CBS) — The Kane County Sheriff’s Office says it’s investigating an indoor cannabis operation in Elburn. On March 6, a Kane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was monitoring alleged suspicious activity from the warehouse. A man leaving the property was identified as 26-year-old Maskin Gokhman of Grayslake. He had two warrants out for his arrest and was taken into custody. According to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, a search warrant allowed police to enter the warehouse at 250 West Nebraska Street   Read More ...

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  North Chicago shooting victim dies

  North Chicago police and the Lake County Major Crime Task Force are investigating the shooting death of a man early Monday morning. The gunshot victim was identified Tuesday only as a 29-year-old man from North Chicago, according to Lake County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Christopher Covelli, spokesman for the task force. He said North Chicago police received a call of shots fired at 12:51 a   Read More ...

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  Vandals burned down shed, destroyed equipment at Fremont Township's Behm Park

  A shed was burned down at Fremont Township’s Behm Park sometime Monday night or early Tuesday morning, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The park, 22222 W. Peterson Road, is in an unincorporated area between Mundelein and GraysLake. The park includes football, soccer and lacrosse fields, as well as three pickleball courts and a playground. A township employee called dispatchers at approximately 9 a   Read More ...

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  Lane closures start Friday on Tri-State Tollway through Lake County

  Beginning this weekend, motorists should expect lane closures on the Tri-State Tollway through northern and central Lake County for a period of several months, transportation officials have announced. Starting Friday and scheduled to be concluded by Memorial Day, the roadwork will begin on a stretch between Russell Road and Grand Avenue, and then switch to a second phase between Grand and Half Day Road, according to the Illinois Tollway   Read More ...

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  71 patients helped usher in a new era for Lake Forest Hospital, moving from the old to the new early Saturday morning

  Latasha Thomas wasn't ready to go home from the hospital Saturday, but she couldn't stay there either. Thomas was one of the first patients transferred from the old Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital to the new building, which officially opened Saturday. Thomas, of Zion, said she was transported via wheelchair through an underground tunnel connecting the old facility to the new one early Saturday morning   Read More ...

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  As schools cope with safety threats since Fla. shooting, parents, leaders, try to balance concern with calm

  Early last week, officials in Lake County announced charges against two Mundelein High School students in connection with a threatening Snapchat post that included a photo of a handgun. Next came news that authorities in northwest Indiana had filed a criminal complaint against a 15-year-old girl accused of sending a mass text saying she was “blowing up” Crown Point High School   Read More ...

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  Fire displaces Grayslake family

  A fire of undetermined cause Saturday morning has displaced a Grayslake family after it burned through the roof. Firefighters were called to 506 Stuart St., around 9:15 a.m. and, upon arrival, they saw smoke coming from the roof, Battalion Chief Mike Rutkowski said. "It was smoking pretty good from the roof. The family got out safely, and there were no injuries," he said   Read More ...

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  Highland Park fire leaves more than 100 displaced, firefighter hospitalized

  A Highland Park firefighter was hospitalized for smoke inhalation Saturday night after a combating a blaze at the Bishop Moore Apartments on Manchester Parkway, between Woodward and Second avenues, according to WWJ. The apartment complex – which suffered significant damage in some areas – is comprised of mostly seniors. The fire displaced more than 100 residents, who were bused to Highland Park Recreation Center   Read More ...

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  Lovell Center veterans share how art 'breaks through the bondage' of mental and physical wounds

  When war veteran Angela Walker sang "Dancing in the Street" from her wheelchair on a stage, some of the roughly 75 audience members at the College of Lake County in GraysLake started dancing in the aisles and clapping. It was a testament to what the creative arts can do for war veterans, many of whom are suffering physical and mental disabilities   Read More ...

• BC-IL-XGR--Youth Football-Concussions-The Latest, IL

  BC-IL-XGR--Youth Football-Concussions-The Latest,283 The Latest: Minimum age for tackle football gets initial OK Eds: Updates with committee vote. Will be updated. With AP Photos. A plan to prohibit tackle football among the youngest children to prevent head trauma is moving to the Illinois House floor for a vote. The Mental Health Committee endorsed Rep. Carol Sente's legislation 11-9. The Vernon Hills Democrat aims to delay head blows routine in tackle football that have been linked to the degenerative brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy   Read More ...

• The Latest: Minimum age for tackle football gets initial OK

  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on legislation to ban tackle football for kids under 12 (all times local): A plan to prohibit tackle football among the youngest children to prevent head trauma is moving to the Illinois House floor for a vote. The Mental Health Committee endorsed Rep. Carol Sente's (SEHN'-tayz) legislation 11-9. The Vernon Hills Democrat aims to delay head blows routine in tackle football that have been linked to the degenerative brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy   Read More ...

• The Latest: Minimum age for tackle football gets initial OK

  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on legislation to ban tackle football for kids under 12 (all times local): A plan to prohibit tackle football among the youngest children to prevent head trauma is moving to the Illinois House floor for a vote. The Mental Health Committee endorsed Rep. Carol Sente's (SEHN'-tayz) legislation 11-9. The Vernon Hills Democrat aims to delay head blows routine in tackle football that have been linked to the degenerative brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy   Read More ...

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  Lake Villa man accused in Zion shooting skips trial, acquitted by jury in his absence

  A Lake Villa man charged with shooting a man in Zion in 2015 was found not guilty by a jury Wednesday in less than half an hour, but the defendant was not there to see it. Osaid Karmash, 22, did not appear for his trial on charges of aggravated battery with a firearm when it started Tuesday, and a warrant had been issued for his arrest for violating terms of his bond   Read More ...

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  Lake County Teen Granted Asylum In U.S.

  CHICAGO (CBS) — A 17 year-old girl living in Lake County, Illinois found out Wednesday evening that she will be allowed to stay in the United States. Her immigration hearing was confidential, but Contreras wanted media present, and her request was granted by the judge. Contreras was seeking asylum in the United States, citing fear for her safety and life if she was forced to return to her native Honduras   Read More ...

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  Extra police at Mundelein H.S. after 2 students charged for social media threat, officials say

  With extra police on hand, Mundelein High School funneled all students arriving at school through one door Monday morning following a Saturday threat on social media that landed two students in custody, according to the district. The school’s main entrance off the Hawley Street parking lot was open to students as extra police stood watch at the door. District 120 said officers would be on campus for the remainder of the day   Read More ...

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  Lake County Jail inmates complete survey on drug addiction

  WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) _ Hundreds of Lake County Jail Inmates have completed a survey on drug addiction to help county officials fight the opioid crisis. Sheriff Mark Curran says the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management created the confidential eight-page survey. Inmates answered questions about why they were incarcerated and whether they abused illicit substances. He says 430 Inmates out of 540 at the Jail agreed to participate   Read More ...

• Lake County Jail inmates complete survey on drug addiction

  WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — Hundreds of Lake County Jail Inmates have completed a survey on drug addiction to help county officials fight the opioid crisis. Sheriff Mark Curran says the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management created the confidential eight-page survey. Inmates answered questions about why they were incarcerated and whether they abused illicit substances. He says 430 Inmates out of 540 at the Jail agreed to participate   Read More ...

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  Threat Made To Mundelein High School

  CHICAGO (CBS) — There will be extra security at Mundelein High School after a student made a threatening social media post. Authorities are on edge after the shooting in Florida. That post also said “Mundelein ain’t ready for this.” CBS 2’s Charlie De Mar has the story. A Snapchat post warned students not to come to school. It also showed a gun   Read More ...

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  Mount Zion Baptist Christian School junior wins WJZ's 2018 Black History oratory competition

  When Caleb Drummond was only a toddler, he talked his mother through a difficult life transition. As Donna Drummond remembers it, her 2-year-old stood on her bed, “took my hands and started praising the Lord.” The son of two preachers, Caleb, now 16, won first place Sunday in WJZ-TV’s 2018 Black History Oratory Competition at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, dazzling an audience of about 100 with a speech that drew immediate comparisons to a sermon and murmurs of “Pass the plate!” Caleb, a junior at Mount Zion Baptist Christian School in Loch Raven, chose a quote by the activist Marian Wright Edelman about education improving the lives of others and a community as a whole, and spoke in a forceful tone about the power of education and the importance of considering the sources of information   Read More ...

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  Shotgun shell, threatening social media post prompt extra police at Mundelein High School

  Officials at Mundelein High School say there’s no threat to students or staff, but additional police officers have been requested to ease growing tensions at the School after a shotgun shell was found in a bathroom and a social media post incited fear. Ron Girard, spokesman for District 120, said a threatening social media post on Thursday displaying a rifle and the letters “SHS” and “BHS” created issues at Stevenson and Barrington high schools   Read More ...

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  ‘Wakanda Forever!’: Wauconda village in Illinois gets calls from ‘Black Panther’ fans | Idaho Statesman

  The utopic African nation of Wakanda isn’t real, but the Lake County, Illinois village of Wauconda will do just fine for some fans of Marvel’s “Black Panther.” Alise Homola, executive assistant to the village administrator and mayor, told the Hollywood Reporter that she has been getting calls and emails from fans since the movie opened last weekend. “At first, I was like, is there a full moon out?” said Homola, who didn’t know about the movie’s plot or Wakanda’s role in it   Read More ...

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  Illinois educators call Trump's proposal to arm teachers 'insanity'

  Illinois teachers widely disagreed with the idea of arming educators with guns to prevent future school shootings, a strategy that President Donald Trump promoted in a series of tweets Thursday. “If a kid is hellbent on shooting up a school, having an armed teacher is not going to stop them,” said Jason Janczak, social studies department chair at Grayslake Central High School   Read More ...

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  Beach Village development plans for Deerfield area currently under review

  HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – The Deerfield area continues to grow as dirt gets leveled and for sale signs go up in the yards of the newly completed homes that sit in the new Ocean Commons development. Plans for four developments in the Deerfield area are currently in different phases and stages. There are three developments that are being constructed closer to the 17 Business side of Deerfield   Read More ...

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  Stowaway pleads not guilty after Chicago to London flight

  CHICAGO (AP) - An Illinois woman with a history of sneaking onto planes pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony theft, burglary and other charges for allegedly thwarting security at a Chicago airport and flying to London before anyone realized she didn't have a ticket. Marilyn Hartman, 66, answered a few procedural questions from the judge during the hearing. Hartman, of Grayslake, has been jailed without bond since being caught at O'Hare International Airport two weeks after her January arrest for allegedly sneaking onto the flight to London, in violation of a judge's order to stay away from airports   Read More ...

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  Zion shooting victim identified as authorities seek more than one suspect

  A 36-year-woman who died Friday night after being shot in a Zion home invasion was identified early Monday afternoon by authorities. The victim is Kaleah Beville of Zion, according to Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper. Cooper released the information following an autopsy Monday and notification of the victim's family members. Cooper said his office was notified that Beville died of multiple gunshot wounds at Advocate Condell Medical Center at about 8:30 p   Read More ...

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  Mundelein firefighters, village officials debate staffing change

  A proposed change in staffing at the Mundelein Fire Department has village administrators and the firefighters union engaged in a private debate about the move’s potential affect on public safety. The proposal has not been formally listed on a Village Board agenda, but documents and individuals involved in the discussions say the item was supposed to be scheduled for a vote on Jan   Read More ...

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  Rescue squads sent to scene of shooting in Zion: fire chief

  Zion Fire Chief John Lewis said rescue squad personnel were sent to the scene of a shooting on Edina Boulevard Friday afternoon. Lewis said personnel were dispatched around 1:45 p.m. Attempts to reach Zion police were not immediately successful. A witness at Waukegan National Airport said it appeared that a patient transported from Zion was loaded into a Flight for Life medical helicopter around 2:30 p   Read More ...