Briefs: Ruling on liquor license
The state Liquor Control Commission ruled this week Antioch Trustee Robert McCarty can simultaneously hold a liquor license while serving as an elected official. Earlier this year, McCarty's involvement with the Double Eagle sports bar was called into question by a group of five residents. After hearing their testimony, Mayor Dorothy Larson revoked McCarty's license in July, citing the village's liquor license ordinance, which is stricter than state law. The state commission overturned Larson's ruling, saying the village's ordinance is invalid and a trustee of a municipality of 50,000 people or less may hold a license.
Woman denies charge:
A Lake Zurich woman pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges she used financial information stolen from an Anchorage, Alaska, woman. Olga Albarran, 35, of 34 Old Rand Road, Apt. 1, faces up to five years in prison if convicted of financial identity theft. Assistant State's Attorney Tim Niehus said the victim contacted Lake Zurich police in June after being told her Social Security number was used in the area, and police traced to Albarran several accounts that had been established. Police said Albarran told them she purchased the victim's information when she entered this country from Mexico in 2000. Niehus said Albarran owes creditors approximately $10,500 for purchases and services she obtained using the stolen information. Circuit Judge James Booras scheduled a trial of the case for Oct. 9.
District 127 receives kudos
Grayslake High School District 127 has received an award from a state organization for being part of an effort to defeat a developer's plan to get tax breaks from the village of Lindenhurst. District 127, Woodland Elementary District 50 and Millburn Elementary District 24 resisted OliverMcMillan's Village Green development as originally proposed with the tax incentives from Lindenhurst. The school districts contended the plan would result in a loss of property tax revenue. The Illinois chapter of the National School Public Relations Association presented the Golden Achievement Award of Excellence to District 127. The group recently held an awards ceremony and luncheon. OliverMcMillan crafted another plan for a retail center and homes that won't require tax incentives.
Eighth rabid bat found
Lake County residents are reminded to stay clear of bats. A bat found Sept. 14 in Highland Park tested positive for rabies, the eighth in the county this year and twice the number found last year. Any wild mammal, such as a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or bat, can have rabies and transmit it to humans. Any change in normal behavior, such as difficulty with walking, can be an early sign of rabies. Call (847) 949-9925 if you have contact with a bat or notice it acting in an unusual manner, such as flying in daylight or lying on the ground near your home.
Statewide student leader
Grayslake North High School's Ryan Ornstein was announced Thursday as one of 15 outstanding sophomores, juniors and seniors named from across the state to represent their peers on the Illinois State Board of Education's student advisory council during the academic year. Formed in 1975, the council was designed to bring student concerns to the state board of education. Ornstein, 16, of Round Lake Beach, is a junior honor-roll pupil at Grayslake North and a starting center on the varsity football team. He also plays varsity baseball and achieved the Eagle Scout rank in August.