Briefs: Garvanian honored by Vernon Hills parks
The Vernon Hills Park District will rename Marimac Park in honor of former park commissioner Kelli Garvanian. A ceremony renaming the park at Route 45 and Deerpath Drive in Vernon Hills will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Garvanian, who served on the board for 23 years resigned in March. Well-known for her advocacy to open space, Garvanian also has been honored with resolutions from local state legislators and the village. Highlights of her tenure include: the establishment of a youth sports coaches certification program; purchase of the 31-acre Aspen Drive site and the subsequent construction of the Sullivan Community Center and Family Aquatic Center; receipt of more than $2.5 million in grants and district recognition by the National Recreation and Parks Association for excellence.
Man charged with molesting
A Wauconda man is free after posting $1,500 for bond on charges he molested a young girl. Wauconda police Sgt. Timothy Burke said Isai Torres-Barragan, 28, is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Burke said Torres-Barragan was arrested July 28 after police were called to break up a fight between him and another man near Torres-Barragan's home at 188 Osage Street. Investigators learned the fight began when the other man accused Torres-Barragan of inappropriately touching a relative between the ages of 13 and 16. Torres-Barragan was arrested on the molesting charges after an investigation, which Burke said is continuing. He asked anyone with information about Torres-Barragan to call police at (847) 526-2421. Torres-Barragan faces up to seven years in prison if convicted, and is due in court Aug. 29.
Macy's evacuated
Countryside fire officials said Macy's Department Store at Westfield Hawthorn in Vernon Hills was evacuated at about 10:20 a.m. Wednesday after a light fixture started smoking. Batallion Chief Ed Heinz said a firefighter from a neighboring fire district was shopping in the store when he smelled and saw smoke at about 10 a.m. and pulled the fire alarm to evacuate the store. Countryside fire officials arrived, saw the haze of smoke, and checked the store. Heinz said the problem was narrowed down to a light fixture with a bad ballast. The store was empty for about 30 minutes while firefighters investigated. He added the mall was not evacuated.
Man held in rape case
A Waukegan man is held on $75,000 bond after being charged with raping a 15-year-old girl. Round Lake Beach police said Perry Ridirios, 43, of 444 Hickory St., is charged with criminal sexual assault. Police said Ridirios knew the girl's family when the attacks took place in Round Lake Beach during the winter of 2006-07. Police said the girl's family recently learned what had happened and went to police. Ridirios was arrested July 30 after police said he gave them a statement admitting the attack. Ridirios faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and is due in court Aug. 19.
Police looking for driver
Barrington Hills police are asking for the public's help in locating the driver of pickup truck who was involved in an accident Sunday morning. Police said the gray pickup truck, pulling a white or cream colored horse trailer, was northbound on Bateman Road, just south of Lake-Cook Road, when it attempted to pass a group of nine bicyclists. Police said two of the cyclists were hit by the horse trailer and suffered broken bones. Police said the truck driver might not even know he or she hit anyone. Anyone with information is asked to contact Barrington Hills Lt. Rich Semelsberger at (847) 551-3006.
Hart Road closed Friday
A portion of Hart Road in Barrington will be closed Friday while construction crews install the press box at Barrington High School's new outdoor stadium. A giant crane will be used to install the press box in two sections. To make room for the crane, the northbound lane of Hart Road will close Friday at 9 a.m. It is expected to reopen in the afternoon. Weather permitting, the stadium is scheduled to officially open Aug. 29, when the Barrington high football team takes on Libertyville High School. A free community open house is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 31. When in place, the press box will be 96 feet long by 12 feet wide and 12 feet high.