Sep 25, 2024

Felony arson / Students run village / Blood drive Friday

 

BG man faces three felonies in house fire

            A 24-year-old Buffalo Grove man has been charged with three felonies related to a Sept. 19 house fire at 970 Lucinda Drive.

            The Lake County State’s Attorney’s office approved three felony charges for Evan Rude, including Aggravated Arson (Class X), Residential Arson (Class 1), and Arson (Class 2).

            The fire, which rendered the house “uninhabitable” by fire officials, caused an estimated $360,000 damage.

            Investigators were aided in their work by conducting neighborhood canvases and reviewing security camera footage.

            Rude has been implicated in other fire-related cases in Buffalo Grove, including one in September 2023 when fire officials were investigating a vehicle fire in a garage, also in the 900 block of Lucinda. Following an investigation by Buffalo Grove police and fire officials, Rude was charged with criminal damage to property through means of a fire.

Burglary – Police are investigating a burglary at a construction site in the 900 block of west Dundee Road.  Reports say thieves cut into a storage cage used by an electrical contractor and made off with $1,000 in copper wire and $2,000 in tools.

Theft – A resident in the 1200 block of Johnson Drive stole two bicycles. Reports listed the theft as under  $500.

Traffic arrests – Police report two arrests for Driving While Under the Influence and two for driving with a suspended or revoked license.

 

In Other Community News

Students not bored with Board roles

            The Buffalo Grove Fire Department will be getting two styles of training simulators to aid in the training of paramedics and other fire personnel in wound management and compression techniques thanks to a unique Village Board.

            Missing from the dais were the usual stalwarts – Village President Eric Smith, Village Clerk Jan Sirabian, the usual assortment of village trustees – and even Village Manager Dane Bragg.

            They were replaced, as were other village staff members and officials, by 15 students from Stevenson and Buffalo Grove high schools who participated in the village’s annual Civics Forum.

            Started in the early 1980s as “Student Government Day,” the event became the Civics Forum in 2016 and gives students the chance to run the village.

            A pet project of Village Clerk Jan Sirabian, students toured the village campus and met with department heads and other staff members before running the Sept. 23 meeting.

            "This is No. 1 on my list of what I love about my job," Sirabian said. She said not only does she "love working with the students", but the event allows her to impress upon students the importance of local civic engagement because it directly “affects the quality of life” in the village.

            “Being involved and taking pride is what makes a community great,” Sirabian said. The student-run Board received proposals for $2,000 in funding from six village departments. “These are (actual) proposals from the departments and not practice,” Sirabian said.

            Under the watchful eye of Village President Shipr Jha from Stevenson High School, the Board chose the fire department’s request after debating the other five requests, which included a portable ice cream trailer from the Police Department, enhanced Village Hall signage from the Finance and Community Development Department, a drone from Community Relations and Community Development, a Swing-Away heat press from Public Works, and a request for heat and humidity sensors for the village’s IT rooms.

            The request from Administrative Services for IT room sensors proved to be most debated with the ensuing vote ending in a 3-3 tie, requiring Jha, in her role as Village President, to cast the tie-breaking vote which was against the purchase.

            Joining Jha on the dais were trustees Milt King (SHS), Michael Waz (SHS), Amy Andujar Cruz (SHS), Mariia Zahrbelna (BGHS), Nanoko Seki (SHS), and Gavin Glickauf (BGHS). Anastasiya Koval (BGHS) served as Village Clerk.

            Serving in staff positions were Brian Montesinos (BGHS) Village Manager, Sophia Lowy (SHS) Human Resources Director,  Nathan Tessier (BGHS) Community Development Director, Alina Hussain (BGHS) Fire Chief, Yifan Wang (SHS) Finance Director, Maggie Kuang ( SHS) Public Works Director, and Lewis King (SHS), Police chief.

            None of the students announced plans to run in the April 1st election nor did they approve raises for any of the staff positions.

Pictured above: Village Board President Shipr Jha is flanked by Village Manager Brian Montesinos and Village Clerk Anastasiya Koval

DPW moves into new digs

            Buffalo Grove’s Public Works Department moved into its new facility on Monday, Sept. 23. DPW is now based out of 1650 Leider Lane. Residents who need to stop by the office can do so immediately.

            DPW’s previous location at 51 Raupp Blvd. is expected to be a temporary fire station while station No. 25 at 505 W. Dundee is rebuilt.

Green Fair rescheduled for Sunday

            The “Green Fair”, designed to offer information and activities to help residents learn about the small steps they can take at home, work, and in the community to improve the environment has been rescheduled for this Sunday, Sept. 29 in conjunction with the Farmers Market.

            Residents will have the opportunity to recycle a wide variety of items but are reminded that lightbulbs or batteries will not be accepted for recycling. Hearing aid batteries, however, will be accepted. A list of items that will be collected for recycling can be found by clicking on this link.

            Residents who save plastic bread tabs can bring those recycling. Funds raised from the tab recycling program will help provide wheelchairs for persons in need. For a complete list of exhibits, activities, and collection items, visit this site.

Blood Drive Friday at Fire Department

            A blood drive will be held in the Training Room at the Buffalo Grove Fire Department’s main station, 1051 Highland Grove Dr. from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 27. The drive is handled by Vitalant. To schedule an appointment, go to this site.

RV, trailer storage deadline Sept. 30

            Sept. 30 is the last day that recreational vehicles (RVs) or trailers are allowed to be continuously parked in driveways.

            After Sept. 30, RVs are allowed to be parked on a driveway for a maximum of 15 continuous days through May 14.

            Residents may store one RV may be stored on their property in the side or rear yard, as long as it is located entirely within your property and hidden from public view with a fence that is at least five feet high. Additional information can be found here.

 

Need a Reason to Celebrate?

Sept. 26

Better Breakfast Day

Johnny Appleseed Day

Lumberjack Day

Sept. 27

Hug A Vegetarian Day

National Chocolate Milk Day

National Corned Beef Hash Day

Sept. 28

Ask A Stupid Question Day

International Rabbit Day

National Ghost Hunting Day

Sept. 29

National Coffee Day

National Silent Movie Day

National Goose Day

Sept. 30

International Podcast Day

National Love People Day

National Mud Pack Day

Oct. 1

International Day of Older Persons

National Fruit At Work Day

National Homemade Cookie Day

Oct. 2

National Coffee With A Cop Da

National Custodian Day

National Produce Misting Day

Oct. 3

National Boyfriend Day

National Techies Day

Virus Appreciation Day

Oct. 4

Kids Music Day

Improve Your Office Day

National Taco Day

Oct. 5

Frugal Fun Day

National Be Nice Day

National Kiss A Wrestler Day

Oct. 6

National Coaches Day

National Noodle Day

Change A Light 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.

Buffalo Grove News and Info, is locally and 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.

Subscribe by email

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Sep 17, 2024

Felony drug charges / Fire heroes honored / Green Fair Sunday

 

Sep 10, 2024

Looped linker / D21 health center dedication / Tech firm picks BG

Teed off? – Officers were summoned to The Arboretum Club Golf Course, 401 W. Half Day Rd. for a report of an intoxicated subject. They were told that an employee was serving food when a subject who was not golfing approached her. The employee stated the subject was heavily intoxicated, and told her lost his phone in the area. However, the conversation, reports say, went beyond the lost phone as the man allegedly began asking the employee questions such as what her name was, what school she attended, and how much money made.

            Reports say when a group of golfers approached to purchase food, the subject walked away. Before leaving though, the subject stated his name was and provided his phone number on a piece of paper. The questions never amounted to a criminal nature, but the employee said the questions and the subject's demeanor made her feel uncomfortable. Officers located the man and him that the golf course wanted him removed from the course. He was given a “formal copy” of a do not trespass notice.

            But wait, there’s more. Later in the day officers were summoned back to the Arboretum Clubhouse, for a report of an unwanted subject on the golf course. Guess who it was? Same guy. This time he was issued a local ordinance adjudication citation for trespassing before he left the area.

Retail Theft – Police report that employees at Walgreens, 1225 W. Dundee Rd., observed a theft by an unknown man. Surveillance video showed the man walk into the store and go to candy isle where he reportedly picked up some “candy or chocolate”, as well as a box of garbage bags and walked out of the store without making payment.

Motor Vehicle Theft – A resident in the 400 block of Raphael told police that someone had stolen their 2013 black Ford F150 pickup truck from their driveway. While responding to the home, officers noticed a black Ford F150 up on a parkway on the south side of the street, facing eastbound. Reports say the vehicle was running and unoccupied. The vehicle had apparently struck a light post that was located on the parkway. Officers determined that it was the vehicle that was being reported stolen.

 

In Other Community News

D21 health center dedication Sept. 16

The grand opening of the District 21 Health Center, a state-of-the-art facility, is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16.

            Located in the District’s Community Service Center and Administrative Office building, 959 W. Dundee Rd., Wheeling, the facility will be one of the only school-based health centers in Illinois offering care for children from preschool through eighth grade.

            The Center, which will consist of four clinic rooms, two consult rooms, a lab, confer­ence room and a large consult or activity room, will be staffed by four full-time employees: an advanced practice nurse, licensed clinical social worker, medical assistant and patient services representative.

            The Center will offer a wide range of services, including preventive care, wellness programs, mental health support, and vaccinations. By addressing the diverse healthcare needs of our community, the center aims to improve overall health outcomes and ensure that our students and staff have access to quality healthcare.

Cookie store set to open

            Dirty Dough Cookies is opening soon at 127 McHenry Road in The Grove shopping center.

Part of a national chain with locations in Rockford and — soon to be opened — in South Barrington, the company’s specialty is stuffed gourmet cookies with a weekly rotating roster of flavors. The Daily Herald reports the store will take over the space that was previously occupied by Smallcakes Cupcakery.

EV component company calling BG home

            Ymer Technology, a manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) components for the heavy equipment industry, has opened its new U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove at 1011 Asbury Dr.

            The company’s $5.7 million investment, supported by a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) program grant, will enable it to produce cooling technology and thermal management systems for EVs, according to a news release that appeared in the Daily Herald..

            Village officials are pleased with Ymer’s decision to choose Buffalo Grove because of its economic impact on the village.

            One of the biggest things that people don’t know about advanced manufacturing in BG is that some of our advanced manufacturers are the biggest contributors to our sales tax. This is important to helping our budget and diversifying  our revenue stream.

            They cite the village’s  Economic Development Strategic Plan which cites economic benefits of advanced manufacturing including. Benefits, officials say, include the fact that each manufacturing job creates between two to five additional jobs in related and unrelated industries.

            Additionally, village officials say “advanced manufacturing workers are generally well paid and earn about 40% higher than the average annual earning of all Buffalo Grove workers. “These high earnings also have indirect economic benefits to the Village as workers represent potential residents as well as customers for local businesses.”

            Ymer’s world headquarters are in Stockholm, Sweden.

Public safety open house

            Ever want to climb on a fire truck? Or get a close look at a police car? You can do this and more at the annual Public Safety Open House from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, September 21 at Fire Station 26, located at 1051 Highland Grove Dr.

            Attendees will be able to not only explore fire and police vehicles but will also be able to see firefighting demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities. Lunch from Wiener Take All will be available for purchase from 11:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Additional information is available at this link.

Village, township plan shredding events

            The village is holding a shredding event to give residents the opportunity to safely and securely dispose of documents from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 14 at the Buffalo Grove Metra Station, 825 Commerce Court. Documents should be placed in either paper shopping bags or file-size boxes. There is a limit of six boxes per vehicle. Additional information is available at this link..

            If you miss this shredding event, the Vernon Township Highway Department will host a free shredding event from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Vernon Township offices, 3050 N. Main Street. on Monday, Sept. 23

            Residents can bring up to three medium-sized boxes or bags of paper items, such as canceled checks, old insurance policies, bills, medical records, and invoices. Magazines, newspapers, manila folders, and binders are not accepted. Learn more here.

Green Fair Sept. 22

            The Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team is hosting its annual Green Fair on Sunday, September 22 from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. during the Buffalo Grove Farmers Market at Mike Rylko Community Park. The free event will offer information and activities related to environmental action. Residents can also bring materials to be properly recycled, including books, bikes, shoes, clothing and more. Additional information is at this site..

Read 1000 Books Together Birth-PreK

            The Indian Trails Public Library has launched a “Read 1,000 books Together for kids from birth to pre-kindergarten age.

            The program gives parents and young readers a chance to follow woodland animals on a reading log journey as participants read aloud to, or with their child.

            Persons interested in participating can register at the Youth Services Desk at which time they will receive a reading log, a free tote bag, and a free book to keep.

            Participants who submit a completed reading log to the Youth Services Desk are eligible for “surprises” along the way.

            And so you know, children are eligible for their own library card from the day they are born. The Library does not supply children.

            Full details are available here.

Vernon Library gets grant

            The Vernon Area Public Library District will receive $65,645 from a State of Illinois Public Library Per Capita Grant.

            Public Library Per Capita Grants are awarded annually to support local public library services.

            To be eligible for a Public Library Per Capita Grant, the library must meet certain performance standards and continuing education requirements set by the Illinois Library Association, must have completed an Illinois Public Library Annual Report, and — new for 2024 — have formally adopted an anti-censorship policy such as the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.

            “The annual Per Capita Grant helps us ensure continued access to high-quality materials and learning opportunities,” said Vernon Area Public Library Director Anne Rasmussen. “From our youngest patrons starting out in baby story time to the seniors we serve through assisted living visits, this grant helps all in our library district to connect to information, culture and each other.”

            The Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire serves 44,000 residents and businesses in and around Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Riverwoods and Prairie View, Illinois. Find more information about the library on their website at this link.

49 cited during Labor Day traffic crackdown

            The Buffalo Grove Police Department conducted an impaired driving enforcement  over Labor Day weekend, resulting in four arrests for driving under the influence. There were also 19 seat belt citations issued in addition to 20 speeding citations and six distracted driving citations.

            The BGPD collaborated with other law enforcement agencies and highway safety partners across the state for the Illinois Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” campaign.

            This effort was funded by federal highway safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

CERT seeks volunteers

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is offering an eight-week training course from 7 - 10 p.m. starting Tuesday, Sept. 24. For more information and to register, go to this link.

 

Looking for a Reason to Celebrate?

Sept. 10

National TV Dinner Day

White Balloon Day

Swap Ideas Day

Sept. 11

National Make Your Bed Day

No News is Good News Day

Patriot Day

Sept. 12

National Chocolate Milkshake Day

National Police Woman Day

National Day of Encouragement

Sept. 13

Bald is Beautiful Day

International Chocolate Day

National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day

Sept. 14

Drive Your Studebaker Day

National Coloring Day

National Cream Filled Donut Day

National Eat A Hoagie Day

Sept. 15

International Day of Democracy

Make a Hat Day

National Double Cheeseburger Day

National Linguine Day

Sept. 16

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day

Respect for the Aged Day

Sept. 17

Constitution Day

National Apple Dumpling Day

National Professional House Cleaners Day

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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.

Buffalo Grove News and Info, is locally and 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.

 

Subscribe by email

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

Domestic battery charges / Restaurants closing / Cultural Fair flap at ASHS

  From the cop shop ** Domestic battery – A 35-year-old Buffalo Grove man is facing domestic battery charges following an incident in the...