Domestic battery / Reading Challenge / Village branding

Domestic battery charges -- Police report officers responded to a home in the 700 block of Grove Drive for a report of a domestic battery. Upon arrival police met with a female who said she was battered by a male. The man was arrested and charged with domestic battery/physical contact, domestic battery/bodily harm, and interference in reporting domestic violence.

Cops cite 70 in holiday crackdown

The Buffalo Grove Police Department (BGPD) partnered with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and law enforcement agencies across the state for the holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” traffic safety enforcement campaign.

From Dec. 15 through Jan. 2, BGPD conducted 75 traffic stops and showed zero tolerance for impaired driving. Three arrests and 70 citations were issued including: One DUI arrest, two traffic arrests for suspended license/no valid license, two distracted driving citations, two child seat citations, 25 seat belt citations, 20 speeding citations and18 additional citations

The holiday enforcement campaign is administered by IDOT with federal highway safety funds managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In Other Community News

Auditions set

Open auditions for the BG Singers are Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 7 -8:30 p.m. at the Community Arts Center, at 225 McHenry Road.

For more information or to sign up for an audition slot, contact Linda Rosen at lrosen@bgparks.org. Rehearsals begin in April with the group's 2024 performances planned for late September.

Reading challenge underway

The Indian Trails Public Library’s 2024 book challenge is in high gear. Participants need to read 20 Books from Jan. 2 through December 31, 2024. Readers will have the chance to earn prizes along the way and collect raffle tickets for a chance to win one of the grand prizes. Go to this link to sign up and start reading.

Village Board to meet

            Cold weather got you down? Warm up to the radiant glow of village officials at the Village Board meeting tomorrow, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

            The Board is expected to approve a series of “Development Improvement Agreements” related to the development of “Bison Crossing” at 915-945 Dundee Road, which includes a planned Tesla dealership.

            Also on the Board’s agenda is a final presentation to summarize the process, research, strategy, creative and brand action ideas for implementation. The process started in March of last year when the village hired North Star Place Branding + Marketing to “complete the Village’s community branding initiative.”

 In addition to reviewing a proposed graphic, trustees have also received a 20-page report from North Star detailing their insights into branding for the village.

            The meeting will also give residents a chance to say goodbye to Evan Michel, assistant to the village manager, who is leaving the village to become manager of Oak Park Township.

Novak honored by Rotary

Cathy Novak has been named recipient of the Rotary Club’s 2023 Bill Reid Award.

The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove established the Bill Reid Community Service Award in 2001 to perpetuate the legacy of Bill Reid, a long-time Village trustee and a founding member of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove. This award is given out on a yearly basis to individuals who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the Buffalo Grove community.

Novak was cited for her work in the community, which includes being a volunteer member of the BG Singers, and her work the "UKE" Can Do It! fundraiser for the Ukulele Kids Club.

She became a member of the Buffalo Grove Park District's Friends of the Parks Foundation in April of 2016 and was elected its president in May of 2020, a position she still holds.

As part of the award, the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club will make a $500 donation to the Rotary International Foundation in Cathy’s name, as well as a $500 contribution to the BG Singers Fund, her charity of choice.

Electric aggregation notices hit mailboxes soon

Residents should expect to see an informational mailing from the Village's Green Electric Aggregation Program provider, MC Squared, within the next few weeks. This mailer is only for informational purposes, and no action is required. Learn more here.

D21 registration begins Feb. 1

Registration for students new to Community Consolidated School District 21, including new incoming kindergarten students, will open on Feb. 1.

A child whose fifth birthday falls on or before Sept. 1, 2024, is eligible to enroll in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. New registrants will need to provide the following documents: Three proofs of residency and an official birth (hospital certificates are not acceptable).

Depending on the child’s grade, additional forms may need to be completed. To begin the registration process, please visit the CCSD21 registration portal on or after Feb. 1.

If you are unsure what school your child will attend, visit the district’s school boundary map and enter your address.

After families complete the new student online registration and upload all required documents, an email will be sent to the family confirming that the child is registered for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have a student currently enrolled in District 21, including a preschool student, registration for the 2024-2025 school year will begin in May. Returning student information will be sent out on a future date.

For additional information, email registration@ccsd21.org.

Trivia night set

The Friends of the Parks Foundation is holding a Trivia Night fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 3. At the Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Rd. All proceeds will benefit the Foundation’s fee assistance program for active military families, and families in need. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. with trivia starting at 7 p.m.

Cost is $40 per person, which includes dinner. A table of 8 cost $300.

For more information, contact Mike Pfeiffer at 847.850.2108 or mikep@bgparks.org.

Lunar New Year celebration set

The Park District is sponsoring a Lunar New Year celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Rd. The event will feature live entertainment and family activities. Asian cuisine, food, beer, wine, and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Please pre-register each member of your family by Jan. 24. For more information, or to register, visit bgparks.org.

Want more?

            As BGNI continues to expand its coverage, we’ve started a companion site, A Further Look, to give readers a more in-depth look at a story or stories from around the area written by student journalists or – wait for it – you, the readers. If you have something that you’d like to share with the community – an opinion or guest essay – submit it to us at buffalogrovenews@gmail.com. We’ll tease to it here and post the full article on A Further Look.

Need a Reason to Celebrate?

Jan. 16

Appreciate a Dragon Day

International Hot and Spicy Food Day

National Nothing Day

Jan. 17

Cable Car Day

Ditch New Year's Resolution Day

Museum Selfie Day

Popeye Day

Jan. 18

National Gourmet Coffee Day

National Peking Duck Day

Winnie the Pooh Day – But not Tigger too?

Jan. 19

Artist as Outlaw Day

Brew a Potion Day – Just don’t tell the cop at 34^th and Vine.

International Fetish Day

National Popcorn Day

Jan. 20

National Cheese Lover's Day

National Coffee Break Day

Penguin Awareness Day

Jan. 21

Grandma Day

International Sweatpants Day

National Cheesy Socks Day

National Hugging Day

Jan. 22

Answer Your Cat's Questions Day

Come in From the Cold Day – A week too late?

Community Manager Appreciation Day

National Grandpa Day

Got News?

If you have news about your club, school, church, synagogue or other community organization, please submit news, information and story ideas to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

Articles should include a contact name, email and phone number. Commentary articles are also welcome. They should be limited to 350 words and should include contact information as noted above. All submissions may be edited for style, spelling, and libelous content.

Questions about B.G. News & Info. should be sent to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

Subscribe by email

If you want to receive Buffalo Grove News & Information by email, send your email address to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

 

In case you didn’t know…

Buffalo Grove News and Info, is independently produced by Buffalo Grove resident Stan Zoller. A longtime journalist and journalism educator, Zoller covers Buffalo Grove and monitors news and information about the village, its schools, park district and community events. Buffalo Grove News and Information is not affiliated with any municipal body. Zoller is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Chicago Headline Club. 

Widening concerns / Prostitution charges / Migrant restrictions

Prostitution charges –  A police investigation into  a complaint of possible prostitution resulted in the arrest of a 52-year-old woman at JK Massage, 253 W. Dundee Road. Reports say that “during the investigation a sex act was offered for currency” and the 52-year-old woman was arrested and charged.

Armed robbery -- Police responded to the Wheatlands Apartments, 1221 E. Deerfield Parkway for a man with a gun call. Upon arrival police met with a person who told officers two males with ski masks were taking off a catalytic converter of a vehicle in the parking lot. One of the offenders pointed a gun at a witness. The suspects got into a white four-door sedan and left the area. The investigation is ongoing.

Domestic battery -- Police responded to the 500 block of Crown Point Drive for a domestic battery complaint. Reports say that a male resident “battered a subject in the home and was arrested.” The man was charged with aggravated domestic battery/strangulation, and domestic battery/bodily harm.

Residential burglary – Police say a resident in the  900 block of Cooper Court reported a residential burglary report. Reports say various items were taken during a four-hour period. The investigation is ongoing.

Motor vehicle theft –  A resident on Oak Creek Drive told police her 2014 Nissan Rogue was stolen while it was parked near her residence.

Retail theft – An employee at the Aldi grocery store on Dundee Road said two men left the store through the entry door with a full cart of grocery items. Reports say the employee observed putting items from the cart into a black Toyota that was in the parking lot.

Criminal damage -- Police responded to the Burger King at 80 McHenry Road for a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers were told a customer became irate about his order. The customer then fired five "BB" pellets at several windows of the restaurant, the offender then drove away on Lake Cook Road. The investigation is ongoing.

Construction theft – Police say an unknown offender reportedly removed some prefabricated shower valves and copper pipe from The Clove construction site. The offender did not take the unfabricated shower valves, which were still in their original boxes.

In Other Community News

BG Road widening revisions ahead?

A scheduled meeting of the Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee may shed light on the plans for the proposed widening of Buffalo Grove Road between Illinois Rt. 22 and U.S. Rt. 45.

Opponents of the project are hoping there will be revisions discussed at Wednesday’s (Jan. 10) meeting that will show a scaling back of the plans for the project.

Key members of the opposition group cite safety, environmental impact and increased traffic, especially truck traffic, as their key concerns.

The project was unveiled at a May 24 public forum sponsored by the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) which, organizers say, drew around 100 people, which they say is more than most project-based forums. Since that time, they say more than 300 people have voiced opposition to the project, mostly through the group’s website that includes its 1,650 word “declaration”, basically a petition, that provides considerable discussion about their objections.

The declarations focus on three general areas: The lack of need for the expansion, new problems created by the widening and how the section of Buffalo Grove Road between state Route 22 and U.S. Route 45 differs from Buffalo Grove Road south of state Route 22 (Half Day Road). Full coverage of this project can be found here.

Ordinance restricts migrant drop-offs

            Buffalo Grove joined a growing list of Chicago suburbs that will restrict, if not prohibit, buses dropping off migrants sent to Illinois from Texas.

            “This is not political in nature,” Village Board President Eric Smith said. “To drop people off within the village without making prior arrangements is inhumane.”

            The ordinance, approved unanimously, allows the Police Department “to regulate unscheduled bus stops, requiring a complete and accurate application for an unscheduled bus stop with no less than five (5) days’ notice.” It requires bus operators to file a complete plan for drop-off, housing, and general care of passengers. If a drop-off is approved, it must be “consistent” with the schedule of Metra’s North Central line which serves Buffalo Grove. The ordinance does not background checks on passengers, personal health information on passengers and does not impose a “per passenger” fine or fee. Full coverage can be found in this report in the Daily Herald.

Wild Fork status unclear

The status of the potential of a Wild Fork meat market opening in the village remains up in the air.

The market, which features a variety of traditional and exotic meats, was planned for a new retail plaza on the southeast corner of McHenry and Lake-Cook Roads. However, it appears a disagreement between the property owner and leasing agent is keeping things in limbo.

Deputy Village Manager, Chris Stilling, told BGNI in an email that “We are aware that the space is now being actively marketed. The permit for Wild Fork was ready to be issued back in August. After several attempts to contact them to let them know it was ready, they did inform us that they were no longer proceeding. We inquired for more information since they had gone through the entire permit process. Unfortunately, they have not responded with any further details.

“Given the site’s strong location and the continued private investment occurring in the Lake Cook corridor, staff is confident that we will be welcoming a new business in that space.”

Meanwhile, Mitch Goltz of GW Properties noted that “We have a signed lease commitment from Wild Fork but we are not certain if they will open or not at this point so we are marketing the space to find other users in the interim. We hope they open but cannot control that side of things since we turned over the space to them in the fall.”

Brendan Reedy of Mid-American Real Estate Corporation would not comment on the future of Wild Fork opening at the location, saying only that the “available space” is 4,000 square feet.

In other animal news related to the location, the Veterinary Emergency Care facility is eyeing a February opening.

Trees removed as part of road project

Even though the bulk of the work is scheduled to start in the spring, trees in the median along Arlington Heights Road have been removed as part of a reconstruction of the road from state Rt. 83 to Lake-Cook Road. The Daily Herald reports the trees were removed because the median will also be removed as part of the project. The project is being done by the Lake County Division of Transportation. A complete description of the project can be found here.

Future of artificial intelligence forum topic

The Indian Trails Public Library is sponsoring a panel discussion featuring three best-selling science fiction writers, Cory Doctorow, Ken Liu and Martha Wells, who will discuss the future of artificial intelligence at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11.

They will examine the promise, perils and possible impacts that AI will have on the future, as well as AI in contemporary and future science fiction writing.

Registration to attend in person can be found here while registration for Zoom participation is available here.

Used book sale Jan. 13

The Indian Trails Public Library is having a used book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. The sale is held in the Lake Cook room on the first floor of the library, located at 355 Schoenbeck Rd., Wheeling. Additional information is available here.

Dist. 21 plans “Family Zumba”

School District 21 is hosting a “Family Zumba” event from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 at  London Middle School, 1001 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling.  The event is for children over age 5 and their parents.

Registration is available at this link.

D21 names new director of childhood ed

Melissa Scaletta has been named the new director of early childhood education in School Dust. 21, effective July 1, 2024. Scaletta succeeds Lynne Duffy, who is retiring.

Scaletta previously served as a student services Educational Life Skills Program coordinator within the district, and prior to that, as an instructional specialist for special education and as a special education teacher at Frost Elementary School.

BGPD names three new commanders

Three veteran officers  have  been named commanders in the Buffalo Grove Police Department.

Police Chief Brian Budds administered oaths of office during the Jan. 2 Village Board meeting. The new commanders are (from left) Sergeant Anthony Turano (17 years of service), Lieutenant Tara Anderson (23 years) and Lieutenant Tom Nugent (34 years).

Want more news?  It’s here!

            Looking for more details about stories impacting Buffalo Grove? As we strive to provide more information, we’ll be providing links to some stories that will take you to A Further Look. In addition to a more in-depth look at the news, our hope is that A Further Look will include original pieces by area student journalists and citizens who may want to voice their point of view on an issue related to Buffalo Grove and the surrounding area.

            BGNI will continue to be a digest of local news, police reporting, and community events and will include links to material on A Further Look.

Looking For a Reason to Celebrate? 

Jan. 8

Argyle Day

National 4th Graders Day

National Bubble Bath Day

National Snuggle a Chicken Day

Jan. 9

International Choreographers Day

National Apricot Day

National Law Enforcement Day

National Word Nerd Day

Jan. 10

Houseplant Appreciation Day

National Bittersweet Chocolate Day

Peculiar People Day

National Take the Stairs Day

Jan. 11

Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day

International Parity at Work Day

Learn Your Name In Morse Code Day

National Hot Toddy Day

Jan. 12

Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day

National Kettlebell Day

National Pharmacist Day

Jan. 13

Make Your Dream Come True Day

National Rubber Ducky Day

Poetry Break Day

Jan. 14

National Dress Up Your Pet Day

National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day

Organize Your Home Day

Take a Missionary to Lunch Day

National Pizza Week

Jan. 15

Brew Monday

National Bagel Day

National Fresh Squeezed Juice Day

National Hat Day

  

Got News?

If you have news about your club, school, church, synagogue or other community organization, please submit news, information and story ideas to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

Articles should include a contact name, email and phone number. Commentary articles are also welcome. They should be limited to 350 words and should include contact information as noted above. All submissions may be edited for style, spelling, and libelous content.

Questions about B.G. News & Info. should be sent to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

Subscribe by email

If you want to receive Buffalo Grove News & Information by email, send your email address to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

In case you didn’t know…

Buffalo Grove News and Info, is independently produced by Buffalo Grove resident Stan Zoller. A longtime journalist and journalism educator, Zoller covers Buffalo Grove and monitors news and information about the village, its schools, park district and community events. Buffalo Grove News and Information is not affiliated with any municipal body. Zoller is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Chicago Headline Club.