Briefs: Supplies for troops

The Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich is sponsoring a collection drive for supplies to send to troops in the Middle East now through July 14. Critical items needed include: boxes of crackers, peanut butter, beef jerky, cold drink mix packets, sunscreen, foot powder, wipes, non-aerosol bug repellent, Chapstick, granola and power bars, crew socks and medical bag items. Visit the library's Web site at www.eapl.org for a complete list. Unsealed letters addressed to "Dear military person" may also be dropped off. No postage necessary. To possibly receive a response, include your name and address. For more information, call (847) 438-3433.

Police bust cannabis farm

Two Lake Zurich residents have been arrested for growing cannabis in their home. Lake Zurich police arrested Matthew Wegrzyn and Cassandra Koziol, both 23, on June 23 at their home at 75 Golfview Road after officers found roughly 5,700 grams of cannabis and smaller amounts of psilocybin and methamphetamine. Police had received a tip that the two were possibly running a cannabis farm. Officers also found equipment used to produce and process cannabis including plants, lamps and heat sources, and packaging equipment. Wegrzyn and Koziol face numerous drug-related felony charges including possession of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis, manufacture and delivery of cannabis and possession of methamphetamine. Both suspects were remanded to the Lake County jail on a $400,000 bond.

Newsletter thrives

Lake Zurich Unit District 95's electronic newsletter, THRIVE in 95, recently received the second place Award of Merit in the 2008 Publications and Electronic Media Contest sponsored by the National School Public Relations Association. THRIVE in 95 is published by the school district's office of communications and community relations. This year's NSPRA contest featured more than 1,100 entries from throughout the United States and Canada. District 95's electronic newsletter previously won the Award of Merit by NSPRA, as well as the Award of Excellence by the Illinois chapter of NSPRA. It was created during the 2004-2005 academic year to share district news and information with staff members, parents, local leaders, the news media and citizens. The publication occasionally features The Mill, which addresses rumors, questions and concerns from staff and community members. It is e-mailed to recipients on Fridays when the district's nine schools are in session. It is also available on the district web site www.lz95.org/thrive.

Census-takers sought

The village of Lindenhurst is looking for applicants to work as census-takers for an upcoming special census. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, be physically able to climb stairs and do extensive walking, be able to write legibly and understand instructions and be available for a three-day training session and day, evening and weekend work. Wages for this temporary position range from $11 to $16 per hour. For more information call Village Hall at 847-356-8252.

Wauconda man's show on TV

Former Wauconda native and Emmy Award-winning producer John Ross Peterson's new two-hour television special, "American Hero Awards," airs from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday on the network Channel 50 or Channel 8 on cable television. Peterson, 55, a Los Angeles television show creator for Associated Television, earned a Daytime Emmy Award in June for producing a two-hour TV special, "America's Invisible Children: The Homeless Education Crisis in America." It is a documentary about 1.3 million children in the United States considered homeless. The Daytime Emmys are awarded by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.