Lake County Digest

Road work shut down?:

Lake County transportation officials Monday cautioned motorists that state budget issues could cause a shutdown of several ongoing road projects. Projects that would be impacted include the Butterfield Road widening in northern Libertyville; Winchester and Midlothian roads intersection improvement; Buffalo Grove Road bridge replacement at Indian Creek; Sunset Avenue widening, Delany Road to Route 131; and a bike tunnel project on Monaville Road at the Chain 'O' Lakes bike path. It is not certain if the shutdown will occur or how long it would last, according to the county's division of transportation.

Man admits molesting:

A 69-year-old Libertyville man faces up to five years in prison when he returns to court Sept. 6 after admitting he molested an 8-year-old girl. David Higgins, of 1313 Pimlico Parkway, will also be eligible for probation and local jail time, Assistant State's Attorney Ken LaRue said. Higgins pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse in an attack in which he fondled an 8-year-old girl in his home. Police were called after the girl reported the attack to a relative a few days later. LaRue declined to say what type of a sentence he will ask Circuit Judge George Bridges to impose at the sentencing hearing.

Probation in check scam:

A Trevor, Wis., man was sentenced to one year of probation Monday after he admitted stealing two checks belonging to his friend's dead mother and cashing them himself. Ronald Weber, 37, pleaded guilty to attempted forgery during a hearing before Circuit Judge John Phillips. Assistant State's Attorney George Pappas said Weber helped a friend move his late mother's belongings out of a house in Antioch and took two checks from her checkbook. Weber later cashed the checks at the Antioch Currency Exchange, where employees called the police when the checks came back unpaid because the account was closed. Phillips also ordered Weber to pay $860 in restitution and a $300 fine.

Adopt a county highway:

You can help keep Lake County roads clean by adopting a highway. Civic, youth and other groups can volunteer to pick up litter twice a year on a specific stretch of county-maintained roadway. Applications for the Adopt-a-Highway program are available by calling the Lake County transportation division at (847) 362-3950. Applications for the fall program should be submitted between Wednesday and Aug. 15. Participants must be at least 10 years old, and anyone younger than 18 must have adult supervision.