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Boys lacrosse opener brings milestone win

HUNTLEY — Temperatures were beginning to drop on the season opening night for Huntley's boys lacrosse season.

But head coach Dominic Saccomanno did not seem to mind. His players had just doused their leader with contents of a jug sitting on the sideline. The wet celebration was on for Saccomanno's 100th Red Raiders lacrosse coaching victory March 18.

“It feels special because it's generational,” Saccomanno said. “The kids on this year's team had older brothers on our first teams. That's when we established a youth lacrosse program and there are about 140 kids in it.”

Early bird Scots softball has 4 HHS grads

HUNTLEY — Mid-March weather and softball schedules usually aren't compatible, but for one day there was an exception.

While prep teams were in practice time on a day with temps 15 degrees above average, McHenry County College's team had its season openers at its home diamond in Crystal Lake March 13. MCC swept both games against Sauk Valley, 15-1 and 10-1 in five-inning victories.

"I love it that we got to play today and we started the season playing well," MCC coach Wally Warner said.

Special Olympics 5K run set for April 5

HUNTLEY — Coming up on Saturday, April 5 is the Huntley Police Department (HPD) hosted the Fourth Annual “Don't Be Fooled by a Disability” 5K run to benefit the Law Enforcement Run for Special Olympics Illinois.

According to a press release statement from Huntley Police Deputy Chief Amy Williams, the “Don't Be Fooled by a Disability” 5K run event will be held at the Huntley Town Square, on Coral Street between Church and Woodstock streets. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by a torch lighting ceremony at 8:40 a.m.

Campanelli wins IBCA honor; 4 on All-FVC girls hoops

HUNTLEY — Huntley senior Anna Campanelli gained recognition from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) as well as All-Fox Valley Conference as the Red Raiders fared well in post-season honors.

Campanelli was announced as an IBCA Class 4A First Team selection. Last season she made the Class 4A Special Mention Team.

Seniors Campanelli, Paula Strzelecki, Ava McFadden and junior Aubrina Adamik were honored all-FVC as selected by the FVC head coaches. The Red Raiders breezed past FVC foes to an 18-0 FVC championship season, and advanced to the supersectional round and finished 35-1 overall.

Huntley resident arrested on five counts of child pornography

HUNTLEY — Back in February, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force provided the Huntley Police Department with information that was obtained from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children data system indicating the possible possession of child pornography by an unidentified internet subscriber.

According to Huntley Police Deputy Chief Kevin Keane, after receiving the information, the Huntley Police’s Investigations Division worked extensively to eventually identify the offender as Jordan K. Hein, 25, of 10395 Sawgrass Lane.

In the early morning hours of March 12, Huntley Police officers served a search warrant for Hein’s residence.

Less House, More Home

It was 2015, we were in the middle of a pay freeze, and our life was generally chaotic with four little kids, a floppy-eared puppy, and a house that always seemed to need fixing. Toys were everywhere, our savings account was barely worth mentioning, and we hadn’t taken a decent vacation in years.

There were nights I couldn’t sleep, worrying how we would pay for school fees and music lessons and clothing for our children. Something had to change.

Ten years ago next month, we made a big change: we moved into a house half the size of our previous home.

A once-in-a-lifetime Law of the World

All the great thinkers of the world have come up with Laws describing how the world works.

Adam Smith devised “The Law of Supply and Demand” in 1776 to explain why some things are expensive and other things are cheap.

Sir Isaac Newton came up with “The Three Laws of Motion” in 1687 to explain why objects either sit still or move around.

In 1942, Isaac Asimov posted “The Three Laws of Robotics” to help you decide if you really want to spend any time with that bot in the corner that always stares at you without blinking.

Two men killed in car accident after another driver swerved off-road to avoid a deer

KANE COUNTY — After a preliminary investigation, deputies from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office indicated that at approximately 9:43 p.m. on March 9, authorities were dispatched to the intersection of Plank Road and Switzer Road for a four-car collision that resulted in the deaths of two individuals at the scene. Two other individuals involved in the crash were flown via hospital transport to local trauma centers, where they are currently listed in stable condition.

Detectives on the scene determined that a red Ford F150 was traveling westbound on Plank Road when the driver attempted to swerve to avoid hitting a deer.

Dvorak takes fourth, Abordo sixth at state meet

HUNTLEY — A fourth place finish and an IHSA State meet experience were highlights for two Huntley boys wrestlers.

Red Raiders sophomore Radic Dvorak finished fourth at 157 pounds while junior Colin Abordo ended sixth at 113 pounds at the IHSA State Boys Wrestling Individual Tournament.

The battles for place finishes concluded the three-day meet at the State Farm Center in Champaign Feb. 22. Also qualifying for state was Wyatt Theobald, who was 0-2 at 215 pounds but ended his Red Raider career at state.

St. Baldrick’s gains support from 2 events

HUNTLEY — Huntley Community School District 158 and the community had two opportunities to assist St. Baldrick Foundation's Battle of the Bald, which raises funds for research to battle pediatric cancer.

Heidi Fish had a surprise for all who came early to the third annual St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser for the national foundation, held at Marlowe Middle School.=

As cancer survivor Matt Erickson stood by, instead of getting her hair cut, Fish, the Martin Elementary School nurse, took off her wig.

Free food, drinks, and family fun to be featured at the Huntley Area Community EXPO

HUNTLEY — Set to take place on March 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Huntley Community EXPO at the Huntley Park District Gym (12015 Mill Street). The event is free and will showcase over 70 vendors, live entertainment, and amazing food and drink samples from local businesses.

According to the chamber, the free drink samples will feature beer and wine for those 21 years and older. Food samples will come from local restaurants.

D158 Education Foundation introduces new executive director

HUNTLEY — Huntley Community School District 158’s (D158) Education Foundation has proudly announced Amber Pfaff as its new executive director. Pfaff started her new role with the foundation back in January, replacing Angela Kossaris, who has served as the foundation’s executive director since 2019.

“Thanks to Angela’s hard work and dedication, we’ve seen significant growth in our fundraising and attendance at events over the past six years,” said D158 Education Foundation Board President Rich Bobby. “We now look forward to the positive impact Amber will have in helping us continue to advance our mission and goals that enhance the educational experience for Huntley 158 students, staff, and families.”

Rohrbacher gains 6th place at state wrestling

HUNTLEY — Huntley's IHSA State Girls Wrestling qualifiers, Aubrie Rohrbacher and Natalie Aguirre, gained a place and a career-ending memorable tournament at the state tournament Feb. 28 – March 1 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

Rohrbacher returned with a sixth place finish at 130 pounds while Aguirre picked up one win at 170 pounds. Rohrbacher's tournament followed a third place finish at state last season.

On the first day, Rohrbacher advanced with two victories at 130 pounds. Rohrbacher, a junior, won by fall over Cahokia's Teaia Young in 1:13.

AED efforts, food pantry helped by Raider Nation

HUNTLEY — Huntley High School's Raider Nation organization hosted its annual "Chuck-A-Duck" fundraiser event Feb. 14 at a Huntley basketball home doubleheader. The Andrew's Assist organization and Grafton Food Pantry were the beneficiaries.

“Our Chuck-A-Duck event, that happened was a total success," HHS Raider Nation sponsor Brad Aney said. "In total, we sold 850 ducks raising $4,250 for the Grafton Food Pantry and Andrew's Assist. I speak on behalf of all the Raider Nation leaders, when I thank the students at Huntley High School, as well as the Huntley community for supporting this amazing fundraiser."

Three Huntley High School students hope to raise awareness for menstrual inequality with a period product drive

HUNTLEY — Neha Gopal, Sruthi Guda, and Krisha Sivakumar, students at Huntley High School (HHS), have partnered with the Huntley Area Public Library (HAPL) to host a period product drive to help raise awareness on menstrual inequality and period poverty.

The three HHS students worked together to launch a local health campaign focused on raising awareness of period poverty and improving access to menstrual education and products.

“Menstrual poverty is a huge health disparity in the U.S., but is, unfortunately, the most overlooked,” said Gopal in a press release statement.

March 5 set for D-158 strategic plan talks

HUNTLEY — As Huntley Community School District 158 (D-158) continues the work of the district's current strategic plan during the 2024-25 school year, it is simultaneously taking steps to launch a new strategic plan that will span the next five years.

According to a press release statement from D-158 Director of Communications and Public Engagement Denise Barr, the new strategic plan, “Huntley 2030: Building Tomorrow Together”, will be rooted in collaboration, and aims to reflect feedback, thoughts and ideas from all stakeholders — families, students, educators/staff, and community members.

Red Raiders dreams stop in Gurnee

HUNTLEY — It may take a few days following a rough night at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, but in the not too distant future the positives from a 35-victory season, all consecutively, will soon flow for Huntley's girls basketball team.

Loyola Academy put an end to the Red Raiders' perfect season, with a 57-33 dominating win at WTHS. Huntley senior Anna Campanelli ended her prep career as the Class 4A Super-sectional game scoring leader with 18 points, but the Ramblers countered with multiple scorers reach double figures.

Home Sweet Home: 35-0 girls win sectional

HUNTLEY — Joe and Kathy Adamik arrived early to Huntley High School for the IHSA Class 4A Sectionl final Feb. 27.

The Sun City residents, grandparents of Aubrina Adamik, sat in their front row seats as the crowd of red-clad HHS fans came in. “We haven't missed a game,” Kathy said.

Adamik, daughter of Keith and Nichole, showed the folks from Libertyville what coming through in the clutch means. She made her first 3-pointer seconds into the game, from an assist by Anna Campanelli, and added five more.

Seniors give it their all in home finale

HUNTLEY — A large crowd gathered for Huntley's senior night to witness the final home game of eight Red Raiders seniors.

They saw a different starting lineup, as seniors Aidan Larson, Connor DeVries, Jayden Bartunek, joined Logan Darragh and Will Dillon. From the opening minute 3-point shot by DeVries, to a just missed 3-point corner shot by Dillon, they took part in a memorable regular season finale. McHenry prevailed, 47-44, in comeback fashion to secure its share of its first Fox Valley Conference championship.

Rohrbacher, Aguirre make state wrestling

HUNTLEY — Two Huntley girls wrestlers, Aubrie Rohrbacher at 130 pounds and Natalie Aguirre, at 170 pounds, have advanced to the IHSA State Girls Individual finals.

Rohrbacher was second at the Schaumburg Sectional Feb. 15 while Aguirre ended in fourth place. The State Finals will take place Feb. 28 and March 1 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

Rohrbacher brings a 43-8 record to state. At sectional, she advanced to the state tournament with three wins in four matches. She fell to Sophia Ball of Hoffman Estates in the championship, by fall in 2:28.

Struggle, Struggle, Struggle … Click

It’s not that I enjoy watching my kids struggle — I really don’t. All the motherly instinct in me wants to run in, sweep them up in my arms, and rescue them from pain, frustration, embarrassment, or fear. But I learned a long time ago that you can’t wrap your children in bubble wrap; the more we hover around them and try to catch them before they fall, the less likely they’ll know how to get up again by themselves.

In matters of parenting, this seems to be true: less is more.

How many roads can a man walk down?

It’s been a long time since I saw Cory — two or three lifetimes at least — and I wonder what sort of shoes he’s wearing now.

It’s not reincarnated lifetimes I’m talking about here, though it might as well be when it comes to Cory. The last time I saw him he had lived three full lives at the least. By now he must be well past five.

When I was a young English teacher at Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Cory was one of my favorite students.

Cheerleaders gain 7th place at state

HUNTLEY — Huntley High School's cheerleaders ended the season on a note of memorable accomplishment with a seventh place finish at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals.

The Red Raiders qualified for IHSA State two-day event through a fourth place finish at the Grayslake North sectional. At state, they were in fifth place after the preliminaries in the large team division with a 93.43 score, then concluded the final round with an 89.43 score for seventh. The IHSA State Competitive Cheerleading event was held Feb.

Girls bowling ends season at sectional

HUNTLEY — Huntley's girls bowling team concluded its season at the IHSA Girls Bowling Sectional held at Plum Hollow Family Center in Dixon. The Red Raiders finished ninth of 12 teams with 5,331 total pins Feb. 15.

Senior Erica DeBello had the top score with 1,171 total pins. Sophomore Ashlyn Tenglin was next with a 1,072 and junior Katie Scaletta contributed a 1,039. Senior Prianca Waters rolled a 992 and senior Jana Boudreau pitched in an 895.

“We got a tough draw having to travel to the Oregon Sectional in Dixon,” coach Eric DeBello said.

Girls hoops moves on to own sectional

HUNTLEY — A triumphant return home to the postseason's second round has been the Huntley girls basketball team's goal.

The Red Raiders are back in the IHSA Class 4A Sectional round after beating Rockford Auburn, 56-25, in the regional final at Rockford Jefferson Feb. 20.

Huntley stayed perfect at 33-0 and advanced to face Lake Zurich, winners of its own regional, at 6 p.m. Feb. 25. Libertyville and Hononegah clash in the second semifinal round game at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25.

THE DOORWAY TO OUR COMMUNITY