Briefs: Trial date set in double murder
The trial of a Zion man accused of murdering two children has been scheduled to begin almost four years after the crime. Lake County Circuit Judge Fred Foreman on Wednesday set what he called "a firm date" of April 30 for the trial of Jerry Hobbs III. Hobbs, 38, is charged with the May 5, 2005 stabbing deaths of his daughter Laura, 8, and her friend, Krystal Tobias, 9. Police said Hobbs confessed to killing the girls after he flew into a rage when his daughter refused to return home with him. He faces the death penalty if convicted, and Foreman said Wednesday he intends to have potential jurors fill out questionnaires detailing their knowledge of facts about the case and their attitudes toward capital punishment before the start of jury selection. Hobbs has been held in the Lake County jail since his arrest three days after the killings.
Dist. 34 school board vacancy:
Antioch School District 34 school board seeks applicants for the seat vacated by board member Mike Nielsen, who retired from the board after six years on Oct. 29. Nielsen's term expires in April. The school board has 45 days to fill the vacancy. The application form is available on the district's Web site antioch34.com. During Nielsen's tenure, he served as board secretary and on several committees and the district grew from a population of 2,300 to nearly 3,200 children. Nielsen is an alumnus of District 34. "Mr. Nielsen will be greatly missed. His smile, positive nature, levelheaded thinking, support of teachers/staff and unwavering devotion to kids and the community will leave a void," Superintendent Scott Thompson said. "The district wishes him well in his future pursuits."
Police to pass out ID kits:
The Waukegan Police Department in conjunction with NorStates Bank will be hosting a Child ID session in the lobby of NorStates Bank, 1601 N. Lewis, on Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. A second session will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 22 at the bank's 216 W. Madison location. The Child ID system is used to provide officers with necessary current data to assist in locating missing children. The information consists of a current photo and fingerprints. In addition there is an area to place a piece of hair for DNA purposes. The parents receive the kits and no information is retained by the police department. This is offered at no cost to parents or guardians.
Pay village bills online:
Fox Lake residents can pay for water service, dog licenses and other services electronically on the village Web site, foxlake.org. Parking tickets, vehicle stickers, Metra parking passes and other items also can be paid for at the site, which accepts credit and debit cards. See the Web site for more information.