Adult-use cannabis businesses now permitted in the unincorporated areas of Kane County

KANE COUNTY – Kane County Board members met on April 13 to discuss rescinding an ordinance that prohibited the operation of cannabis business establishments within unincorporated areas of the county.

The original ordinance had previously been adopted in November 2019, but as of current, county officials have determined that cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas of Kane County would not impact law enforcement or regulatory operations.

According to Kane County Board member Cliff Surges, who represents District 21, Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain had presented some data points demonstrating no significant increase in crime in areas that permitted adult-use cannabis business establishments.

Ongoing transportation struggles at D158 could impact the next school year

HUNTLEY – District 158’s Board of Education (BOE) held a meeting April 15 in which D158 Superintendent Scott Rowe provided a few data points into how the district is faring after students in the secondary level were allowed to return to full time in-person learning following spring break.

However, the district faced a challenge when it came to remote secondary students wanting to return to in-person learning. Specifically, the issue applied to students that did not have their own means of transportation.

Sew Hop’d Brewery and Taproom hosts a pint for a pint blood drive

HUNTLEY – In cooperation with the Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, Sew Hop’d Brewery and Taproom will be hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, April 21. Sew Hop’d manager Katie Hofmann explained that blood supplies have dropped to concerning levels, with Versiti only having less than a one-day inventory on hand. Typically, a three-day inventory supply is what is needed, according to Hofmann.

She went further into detail regarding how in light of more people being vaccinated against COVID-19, attention from blood drives have shifted away.

Huntley trustees vote against permanent picnic tables in the Village Square

HUNTLEY – At the April 8 Board of Trustees meeting, Village Manager Dave Johnson presented to the Board a proposal to include permanent and removable picnic table sites in the downtown Square area.

The idea came after some discussion at the Feb. 25 Village meeting regarding having tables in various quantities and configurations, given the positive feedback received and witnessed during the height of the pandemic in the summer of 2020, after tables were provided in support of local businesses.

According to Johnson, there were three primary hybrid options presented and discussed on Feb.

What the CDC and FDA have to say about the pause on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

MCHENRY COUNTY – An announcement was made by the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) on April 13, that they will be replacing all future J&J clinics with either Moderna or Pfizer until further notice.

This was in response to a recommendation issued that same day by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning of six women, ages 18 to 48, having developed a rare and severe type of blood clot six to 13 days after having been vaccinated with the J&J (Janssen) vaccine.

Consolidated election winners announced

MCHENRY COUNTY – McHenry County officials responded to anomalies having occurred in the April 6 consolidated election results, stating some races were misreported. After retabulating results, official winners can be announced. Mail-in ballots could take up to 14 days to be received and counted, at which point the winners will be official.

Below are the results for who will take office as the Village President in Huntley, sit on the Huntley Board of Trustees, and serve on the District 158 (D158) Board of Education.

Huntley Speaks Out

QUESTION:

Would you get the single dose Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine over the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, if given the choice?

(Want to share your thoughts? Leave them in the comments below.)

Ana Maria Christopherson, Lake in the Hills: “J&J. I heard side effects aren’t as bad as the others, protects against the Brazilian and African strain. One shot and per [the] CDC, is effective after 14 days!” Angelica Foreign, Algonquin: “I don’t recommend J&J. They have only a 66% effective rate versus Moderna and Pfizer which are 98% effective.

McHenry County’s first recreational cannabis dispensary now opened for business

MCHENRY COUNTY – Locals may have taken notice of a new business occupying the building formally the location of the Chen’s Chinese Cuisine restaurant located at 270 N. Randall Road in Lake in the Hills.

The new business simply named RISE, with its covered windows and security personnel standing near the entryway, would give no indication from outer appearances alone, into what it is this business specializes in. While RISE may be new to the McHenry County area, it’s no stranger to the adult use cannabis industry, as it operates medical and recreational dispensaries in seven different states.

BREAKING: Freeman Road project officially announced as an Amazon Receiving Center

HUNTLEY – An official statement was finally made regarding the identity of the development on the property located at 41W368 Freeman Road. The project referred to as “Project Pumpkin” by the Village of Huntley was annexed by Venture One Acquisitions though it was not known at the time, what company would be occupying the 630,000 square foot distribution center.

The Village of Huntley in cooperation with Amazon, released a statement detailing how the receive center is slated to open sometime in 2022, creating more than 1,000 new, full-time jobs with a starting wage of $15 an hour.

UPDATE: Huntley resident dies after ultralight aircraft crashes

HUNTLEY – Deputy Chief Michael Klunk of the Huntley Police Department, issued a press release detailing an ultralight accident that occurred at approximately 6:54 p.m. on Saturday, April 3.

According to the statement issued by Klunk, the police department alongside the Huntley Fire Protection District responded to the scene where the lightweight aircraft had crashed. The location of the accident was around the area of Powers Road and Samantha Lane, in an open field behind the Culver’s restaurant located at 12950 S Illinois Route 47.

A sneak peek into the Huntley Area Public Library’s new building

HUNTLEY – Eager residents have probably kept up to date with each new photo the Huntley Area Public Library (HAPL) posts on their Facebook page regarding the new additions to the library. As of March 15, the library has been closed in order to prepare the old building for phase two which will involve some renovations.

The new building that will be opening to the public on April 26, added an additional 17,000 square feet to the already existing 15,000 square feet.

Huntley Speaks Out

What’s a good book or TV show that you would recommend?

(Want to share your thoughts? Leave them in the comments below.)

Pamela Lee, Huntley : “Yellowstone, Clarice, and The Enforcer” Lauren Zimmerman, Huntley: “Time Team from Channel 4 in the UK. Look at YouTube or Amazon Prime” Naomi Stange, Huntley: “Virgin River! I watched that when I was in the hospital last year and it killed a lot of time!” Bryan Fleege, Elgin: “I’m reading the Day by Day Armageddon series by J.L.

D158 middle and high school students to return to full day in-person learning

HUNTLEY – It was announced at the March 18 District 158 (D158) Board of Education meeting that middle and high school students currently in the hybrid model of learning, would be making a full transition to in-person learning five days a week starting on April 5.

This was in response to the updates in guidelines the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced regarding the recommended physical distance that can be maintained for in-person learning.

District 158’s Board of Education candidates discuss balancing a quality education while responding to local taxpayer burden

My Huntley News asked the 10 District 158 Board of Education candidates how they would confront local taxpayer burden, but still allow students in the district to receive a quality education. Their responses were as follows:

The newcomers

Dana Dalton-Wiley:

“I think as a district we just have to look inward and ask, ‘How can we be leaner?’ I know we have some excellent staff at the [administrative] level, but we’re very top heavy…So, can we look inward at some of our administrative salaries and say maybe we can cut there?

District 158 Board of Education candidates give their take on the tax levy passed in December

Tax levies are a touchy subject for residents especially considering the current pandemic. Seeing as the District 158 (D158) Board of Education (BOE) passed a tax levy this past December, My Huntley News asked the 10 candidates currently running for a spot on the BOE what their thoughts on the levy were. Their answers were as follows:

The newcomers

Dana Dalton-Wiley:

“I was shocked that the levy passed. They have passed the levy almost every year for the last 10 years.

A new challenger emerges in the race for Huntley Village President

HUNTLEY – Residents may be aware that consolidated elections will be taking place on April 6 to elect the individual who will be Huntley’s Village President (or mayor as the position is sometimes referred to). Typically, since 2001, the choice has been straight forward as there has been no opposition running against current Village President Chuck Sass.

However, this year, the tables have turned a bit as Huntley Trustee Tim Hoeft, has decided to enter the race against Sass for the Village President position.

Huntley School District 158 Board of Education Candidates answer questions on various, relevant topics

HUNTLEY – The April 6 consolidated elections are quickly approaching, meaning it is time to elect or reelect the four candidates that will serve as a member on the Huntley School District 158 (D158) Board of Education (BOE). Early voting at the Huntley Park District began March 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

With a total of 10 candidates running this year, My Huntley News reached out to each candidate to get insight on questions ranging from their stances on student achievement to major issues that need to be addressed in the school district.

Meet the Village of Huntley Trustee candidates

Consolidated elections for the three seats on the Village of Huntley Board of Trustees, are coming up on April 6. However, early voting at the Huntley Park District is expected to begin on Monday, March 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

My Huntley News asked the five trustee candidates a few questions ranging from topics in economic development to finances in the Village of Huntley. Their answers are as follows:

Burt Natkins:

What can you tell residents about your background?

What’s the buzz around the emerging cicadas in Illinois this year?

HUNTLEY – Huntley residents may have heard news regarding the 17-year cicadas expected to emerge this year across 15 states, including Illinois. The emerging cicadas, part of Brood X, are known as periodical cicadas which are divided into their respected brood groups based on the year and geographical emergence location, according to an article posted by Candice Hart, a University of Illinois Extension Program State Master Gardener specialist.

Luckily for Kane and McHenry Counties, Brood X will only make their noisy appearance in western Illinois this year.

Algonquin Area Public Library District includes a free COVID-19 antibody test on all successful blood drive donations

ALGONQUIN – In partnership with Heartland Blood Donors or the Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, as they are also known as, the Algonquin Area Public Library District (AAPLD) has set up blood drives on a regular basis for a few years now, in their attempts to better the community.

The simple event typically involves having an affiliated coach bus park at the main library on 2600 Harnish Dr in Algonquin, where donors simply get on the bus and complete their donations there.

Huntley Police detain suspects wanted for retail and car theft

HUNTLEY – The Huntley Police Department issued a press release on March 1, describing an incident that took place at approximately 2:36 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27. According to the press release, the Huntley Police Department responded to a retail theft at the Walmart located at 12300 Illinois Route 47.

Upon responding to the incident, officers were advised that the suspects were fleeing the parking lot in a vehicle. A responding officer on scene was able to locate the vehicle matching the description given, and attempted to stop the vehicle around the Mill Street and Grove Street area.

Huntley Speaks Out

Now that the snow is finally melting and spring is getting closer, what do you look forward to most?

(Want to share your thoughts? Leave them in the comments below.)

Maria R., Crystal Lake: “Shoveling the chronic snowfall has been brutal because of the size of my driveway and sustaining extended exposure to the cold in order to shovel. I got frostbite twice now. Secondly, I have a dog. I had to buy her an expensive parka coat with fleece in order to protect her from the cold when I take her out to pee…This cold has been very challenging for all I know, but more so for a single female with only a shovel and a dog I love.

Huntley Police detain suspects wanted for retail and car theft

Kane County Health Department addresses concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccine

KANE COUNTY – Many residents of Kane County have expressed their frustration with the Kane County Health Department (KCHD), as news travels of neighboring counties moving forward with initiatives such as McHenry County’s utilization of a vacant building to open a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

Kane County Board member and Public Health Committee Chair Jarett Sanchez even went on the record with CBS 2 news anchor Lauren Victory, to attempt to clear up some of the public outcry.

Sanchez had similarly discussed topics of concerns pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine, at the Feb.

Two suspects wanted in connection to an armed robbery and shooting at a Marengo gas station

MARENGO – Marengo Police responded to a call at the Circle K/Shell gas station located at 600 N State St (IL Route 23) at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24 in Marengo, for a reported gunshot victim and armed robbery. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the situation.

According to the official press release, officers at the scene located an adult, male victim suffering from a gun shot wound and was treated on the spot by Marengo Fire & Rescue personnel.

THE DOORWAY TO OUR COMMUNITY