West Nile still alive

West Nile still alive:

Lake County joins six Illinois counties now reporting West Nile virus, the Illinois Department of Public Health said Thursday. A positive mosquito batch was collected in rural Southwest Lake County on July 6. Other counties reporting positive West Nile virus mosquito batches this year include DuPage and Cook counties. The first human case of 2007 was reported in DuPage County on June 15. The second was in Cook County. Last year, 77 of the state's 102 counties reported a West Nile positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total 215 human cases of West Nile disease, including 10 deaths, were reported last year in Illinois. For information about West Nile virus, visit the Web site www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm or call the toll free hotline (866) 369-9710.

Candidate packets ready:

Petition packets for candidates seeking nomination in the Feb. 5 general primary election can be downloaded at www.co.lake.il.us/cntyclk or picked up at county clerk's office, 18 N. County St., Waukegan, until Nov. 5. The offices to be nominated at the primary include circuit clerk, coroner, recorder, state's attorney, county board districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 20 and 22 and North Shore Sanitary Districts 2, 3 and 5. The first day to circulate petitions is Aug. 7. A candidates' guide is also available at the clerk's office.

Petting zoo precautions:

The Lake County health department is advising residents to take precautions when visiting petting zoos. While no cases of residents contracting infectious diseases at petting zoos in Lake County have been reported, several children in Florida have contracted Shiga toxin-positive E.coli infection after contact with farm animals. Precautions include not taking food or beverages meant for humans into animal areas; discourage children from touching manure and soiled bedding and prevent any hand-to-mouth contact; wash hand thoroughly after animal contact and before eating and drinking. Call (847) 377-8130.

Temple idol installation:

The Hindu Mandir of Lake County near Grayslake will conduct a special installation ceremony for the idol of Mahavir Swami of the Jain religion, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the temple, 20444 W. Peterson Road. Lord Mahavir was the 24th and the last Tirthankara of the Jain religion. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human beings but attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization, and elevated to the status of gods. The ceremony, known as Pran Prathistha Mahostav, will be officiated by Shri Narendrabhaiji and other dignitaries from Mumbai, India. The public is invited to attend and be part of the festivity. For directions to the temple, visit www.hindumandiroflakecounty.org.

Talbett gets new post:

Lake County Board member Michael Talbett has been named chairman of the National Association of County's telecommunications committee. The committee helps develop national policy regarding cable services, information technology and other related topics. Talbett is a Lake Zurich Republican who's served on the county board since 2000.

New library equipment:

Patrons of the main Cook Memorial Public Library in Libertyville now can check out books and other materials themselves without a librarian's help. The express checkout equipment was installed Wednesday. It's at the library during a 90-day trial period. Personal service will continue at the circulation desk, officials said.

Public appreciation day:

Barrington Allstate agency Allegretti, Kalesz & Assocs. hosts its second annual customer appreciation day from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today at the Marketplace Mall, 5069 Shoreline Road. The event is open to the general public and will feature many activities for families: Children will be able to climb aboard a fire engine, talk with members of the Wauconda Fire Department and receive free fire safety coloring books. Face-painting and free ice cream will be offered, along with a book fair and free hotdogs provided by neighboring businesses. Officers from the Tower Lakes Police Department will also provide free child safety car seat inspections.

Health office breaks ground:

A two-story, 56,985-square-foot medical office building approved by Lake Barrington officials back in May 2005 is finally scheduled to break ground at 2 p.m. today east of the Saturn dealership on Northwest Highway. Construction was delayed longer than expected by financial issues, but more than 50 percent of the building has now been reserved by future tenants, developer Norman Hays said. Lake Barrington Village President Kevin Richardson is to attend the event, which will be followed by a reception at the nearby Onion Pub & Brewery on Pepper Road.

Benefit event:Ã…’

A benefit will be held from 4 p.m. to midnight tonight in Gurnee to raise money for the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network. The event, to be held at the The Fatman Inn, 36039 N. Highway 41, will be held in memory of two brothers, Doug and Kevin Seymour. Gift of Hope coordinates organ and tissue donation and supports families of donors in the northern three-quarters of Illinois and northwest Indiana. For information, email seymourbrothersbenefit@yahoo.com.