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Many talented hoops players pitch in

HUNTLEY — Depth of talented basketball players is one of the top reasons why Huntley's girls basketball team is state ranked and knocking at the door of 20 victories.

The latest examples came with two 50-point plus margins of victory, 74-17 over Burlington Central Jan. 10 and a follow-up 59-8 cruise control win at McHenry Jan. 14. HHS, ranked sixth by the Associated Press, was 18-0, 7-0 Fox Valley Conference after the win over the Warriors.

“Our depth has been the biggest reason for our success,” Huntley coach Steve Raethz said after the McHenry game.

The Year of the Wood Snake

My 2025 word of the year came to me without me having to search for it. My coworker mentioned offhandedly that, according to the lunar calendar, 2025 is the year of the wood snake.

“It fits with all kinds of metaphors,” she told me. “A snake sheds its skin, it lives close to the earth, things like that.”

The word “shed” hit me like a lightning bolt. As soon as she said it, I knew I’d found my word for the year.

My vote for word of the new year

Although we’re only a few weeks into the new year, let me be the first to suggest that the 2025 Word of the Year should be “Oligarch.”

It’s a fun word to say. Try it. “Oligarch.”

You might even use it as the name for that fat cat that slinks around the shadowy darkness of your back yard: “Oh, there’s Ollie Gark again. Back by that empty bird nest, just past that tuft of bunny fur on the lawn. Sneaky little guy, getting fatter every time I see him.”

DeBello looks forward to college bowling

HUNTLEY — Huntley senior bowler Erica DeBello will continue her dedication to the sport in college.

Erica DeBello, daughter of head coach Eric DeBello and Trish DeBello, recently committed to attend Wichita State University, (WSU) a D-1 school in Wichita, Kansas.

"I visited the school for my official visit Dec. 15," Erica DeBello said. "I had seen it before, but it was 10 times better this time. I was also considering Belmont, North Carolina. I know going into next season, I'll have a lot of work to do to work on in the post-season."

Fundraiser started to help Huntley family displaced by house fire

HUNTLEY — As previously reported, on Oct. 13, 2024, at approximately 5:52 p.m., the Huntley Fire Protection District responded to a call at the 10900 block of Heartland Lane in the Wing Pointe subdivision for a report of a structure fire.

Once at the scene, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames had engulfed the rear end of the home belonging to the Brannan family. Heavy winds that day accelerated the fire’s intensity causing flames to spread quickly into the attic. Despite the situation being under control within 20 minutes, fire officials deemed the home uninhabitable.

Village Board approves final plans for DeFiore pet crematory facility

HUNTLEY — At the Jan. 9 Village Board meeting, trustees unanimously voted in favor of approving a Special Use Permit and a Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the construction of a new pet crematorium with a second-floor caretaker residence on Lot 2 of the Wing Pointe Resubdivision of Lots 2 and 3.

The petitioner, DeFiore Properties LLC, had previously come before trustees at the June 13, 2024 meeting to present conceptual plans for the new facility, which were received well by the board.

Boys bowlers defend league crown

HUNTLEY — Huntley held off challenges from other boys bowling teams to capture the Fox Valley-Kishwaukee River Conference trophy for the second straight year.

Red Raiders coach Jacob Wagner was pleased with the team's efforts at Kingston Lanes in Woodstock Jan. 10. HHS was led by tournament champion Matt Fishman's 1,355 final score. Huntley and several area teams are preparing for the IHSA boys bowling regional at Glo-Bowl in Marengo Jan. 18.

For Fishman, the league meet title came after a recent decision to bowl at Judson University, a community college in Elgin, next season.

7 senior boys leaders end home meets

HUNTLEY — With one perfect game score and another league individual league title winner, a group of seven boys bowling leaders have shown the way to success.

The team's senior day was held Jan. 7 at Bowl-Hi Lanes when they faced Harvard. The Class of 2025 Red Raiders bowlers – Matthew Fishman, Austin Tenglin, Joe Humphrey, Nicholas Gaspari, Landen Conforti, Ryan Morahan and Mason Quarrie, were honored.

Huntley took a season lead into the Kishwaukee River Conference-Fox Valley Conference tournament, Jan.

Huntley woman dies after car accident in Carpentersville

CARPENTERSVILLE — On Jan. 8, at approximately 4:48 p.m., Carpentersville Police officers responded to a multi-vehicle crash involving injuries at Randall Road and Binnie Road. A 70-year-old woman from Huntley was transported to Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin where she was pronounced deceased.

According to authorities, the victim’s car was traveling northbound on Randall Road when she attempted to make a left turn (westbound) onto Binnie Road. Witnesses state that a black SUV that was traveling southbound on Randall Road ran a red light and struck the victim’s vehicle.

League tasks at hand for 15-0 girls hoops

HUNTLEY — On many levels, it has been a sweet story of success for Huntley's girls basketball team.

Leading the way is a 16-0 record to start the season.

Also among the achievements: HHS has won their first Dundee-Crown Koromary Classic tournament with a thrilling 49-48 win over Maine South Dec. 30; edged state-ranked Prospect, 55-51 Jan. 4 and routed Crystal Lake South, 69-25 Jan. 7 to gain sole possession of first place in the Fox Valley Conference.

The squad gained a Class 4A 10th ranking recently.

Boys hoops win 4 straight

HUNTLEY — With a challenging stretch of Fox Valley Conference games looming, Huntley's boys basketball team has found its stride.

The Red Raiders made it a four-game win streak with a 51-40 non-conference triumph over Rockton Hononegah Jan. 4. This win followed three victories at the DeKalb Chuck Dayton tournament. With the latest wins, the Red Raiders reached .500 at 7-7 overall.

Huntley hosts FVC rivals Crystal Lake South Jan. 8 and Burlington Central on Jan. 10. CLS and Huntley are tied for second place behind McHenry (4-0 FVC) with 3-1 records.

State ranked grapplers pace Red Raiders

HUNTLEY — Led by a trio of state ranked wrestlers, several senior leaders and families with multiple grapplers, the first half has been a strong one for Huntley's boys wrestlers.

Huntley's dual match record stood at 14-2, 4-0 Fox Valley Conference. It added four more wins at its own mega duals Dec. 28. HHS beat Bolingbrook 57-17, Morris 53-20, Mundelein Carmel 60-8 and Wheaton North 46-23.

Returning IHSA State Qualifier Radic Dvorak, 157 pounds, is 24-3 and ranked third by Illinois Best Weekly.

McHenry woman arrested months after fatal hit-and-run incident released from jail

MCHENRY COUNTY — After nearly four months of investigation efforts, local authorities have arrested a woman suspected of a hit-and-run that killed 24-year-old Island Lake resident Austin Stanek back in September. The arrest brings a long-awaited sense of relief and justice to the victim and the community.

Police identified the suspect as 50-year-old Christine S. Eilers (Pine) of McHenry. After warrants were obtained for her arrest, Eilers was taken into custody on Jan. 6 without incident. She was transported to the McHenry County jail in Woodstock.

Sports knowledge, fun highlight trivia group

HUNTLEY — A gathering of Chicago sports fans began the new year with testing their knowledge in a fun atmosphere at Huntley Ares Public Library.

They attended the monthly Chi-Town Sports Trivia Group, organized by Bill and Sue McMahon of Sun City. The Jan. 3 event at a library program room marked the group's one-year anniversary. Professional sports teams the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks were topics of questions that the teams answer, and a general Chicago sports category, with 30 questions in total.

Community unites to support beloved resident battling cancer

HUNTLEY—In a heartfelt display of unity and compassion, Huntley residents are invited to gather at Niko’s Grill and Pub (7509 Grant Highway, Marengo) on Feb. 8 at 5 p.m., for a special fundraiser to support Jim Udesen, a cherished member of the community who is currently battling Stage 4 Glioblastoma. The event, titled “Benefit for Couch Ude,” is expected to bring together hundreds of friends, neighbors, and local businesses, all rallying to provide financial assistance and emotional support.

Udesen has reportedly served McHenry County for over 20 years as a sheriff’s deputy for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.

Soccer players garnered post-season honors

HUNTLEY — Several Huntley boys soccer players gained post-season honors.

Members of the All Fox Valley Conference teams, as selected by the league's head coaches:

First team, senior Mason Leslie, who led the squad with seven goals, five assists for 19 points and senior Aidan Herrara, who scored three goals.

A second team selection was senior goalkeeper Jeremiah Reynolds, who made 79 total saves.

Selected to the honorable mention squad was junior Noah Gomez.

In addition, Red Raiders earned Illinois High School Coaches Association (IHSCA) accolades.

Downtown Crystal Lake welcomes flavorful new gourmet shop

CRYSTAL LAKE — On Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Cathy and Tom Koch will host a grand opening celebration as the new owners of The Spice & Tea Exchange of Crystal Lake, which will be located at 57 North Williams Street.

It made sense for the couple to open a new shop as Kathy describes herself as an adventurous cook, recreating favorite restaurant dishes and always opening the house for celebrations and family dinners. Additionally, Tom stated that he is so committed to his grill that his snow shoveling routine includes a cleaning path to it.

Homeless community receives outpouring of support after a devastating fire

ELGIN — In a remarkable display of human kindness, a homeless community known as “Tent City,” located near North State Street and Kimball Street, has found itself at the center of an overwhelming wave of support after a devastating fire destroyed their encampment at around 4:48 p.m. on Dec. 4.

The blaze left many of the encampment’s residents without shelter or personal belongings. While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, it has spurred an extraordinary response from the local community.

2024 in review: Red Raiders add to state team trophies

HUNTLEY — Two teams added to Huntley's state team trophy collection while a third advanced to a super-sectional as 2024 year highlights.

Coaches reflected on their team's accomplishments in previously reported coverage for My Huntley News.

Girls track earns runner-up

On May 25, Huntley girls track and field team led the charge to IHSA state trophy winning seasons with a second-place Class 3A finish in 2023-24.

“Last season, our girls track and field team finished runner up at the state meet, bringing home a state trophy for the second year in a row, building off of our 2023 state championship,” Red Raiders head coach Jason Monson said.

Farmers Indoor Market

HUNTLEY — Among the participants at the Dec. 14 Village of Huntley Farmers Indoor Market was Michelle Tuszek of Woodstock, who has been a consultant leader for Tastefully Simple products for 17 years.

Meanwhile, Maria Abordo and her niece Kim Povah, a Huntley High School student, sold wreaths, decorative pens, tumbler glows, and book markers and other items as Abordo's Custom Crafts.

Sarah Cobbler brought baked goods from sourdough she made including breads and various cookies of Grove Bakery. She has had the home bakery in her Fox River Grove residence since 2014.

Huntley’s Animal House Shelter rises above the flood with community support

HUNTLEY — What began as a tragedy for Animal House Shelter (AHS), a beloved local pet rescue, has turned into a heartwarming story of resilience and community spirit.

The flooding arrived with little warning on the afternoon of Dec. 5, as frigid temperatures caused a water sprinkler system pipe to freeze and burst causing extensive damage to parts of the facility.

Fortunately, staff stated that there were no animals present in the room where the flooding occurred. While the many animals currently at the shelter are safe and dry, AHS faces a long road ahead as repairs to the damaged areas are looking to cost around 40-$50,000.

Red Raiders race past CLC for loop win

HUNTLEY — Huntley's girls basketball team kept its run of 60-point plus games going, as it reached four with a 69-41 Fox Valley Conference win over Crystal Lake Central Dec. 13.

The onslaught of offense slowed down somewhat the next day against Hersey, but the Red Raiders took a 10-0 record into Christmas break with a 48-19 victory.

Win over CLC

Three players tallied in double figures as Anna Campanelli led with 18 points, while April Strzelecki was close behind at 16 points and Ava McFadden swished 10 points.

Darragh leads Red Raiders’ inside game

HUNTLEY — As back to back Fox Valley Conference foes discovered, Huntley's Logan Darragh is a player who can lead a close-in attack to the basket.

Darragh scored 16 points and added 10 rebounds in a double-double game in the Red Raiders' 59-48 win at Crystal Lake Central Dec. 13. This followed a 12 points outing against Jacobs.

“Darragh has been super important for us,” HHS coach Collin Kalamatas said. “He has great vision, is unselfish and difficult to guard.”

A scout from an Arkansas college was on hand to watch Darragh, who is 6-foot, 7-inches, play against the Tigers.

Wreaths event honors veterans’ lives

HUNTLEY — Huntley American Legion Post 673, Rotary Club of Huntley, the village of Huntley, Boy Scout troops and residents braved the cold to attend Wreaths Across America's annual event at Huntley Cemetery Dec. 14.

The local Wreaths Across America ceremony is one of about 4,600 across the U.S.”Live with Purpose” is its theme this year.

“We celebrate the mission to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft said.

Church’s handbell choirs ring in holidays

HUNTLEY — First Congregational Church (FCC) of Huntley's two handbell choirs, the Genesis Bell Choir and Whitechapel Bell Choir, performed holiday songs for a concert during Very Merry Huntley fun.

“Just come and learn to play, anyone can learn handbells,” Genesis Handbell Choir director Trish Wascher said.

The Genesis group is for beginning handbell players while the Whutechapel Bell choir, directed by Joel Ahrendt, is for more experienced handbell players. The groups also were scheduled to give a concert at weekly church services Dec.

THE DOORWAY TO OUR COMMUNITY