Lake County briefs

Pageants announced:

The annual Miss Mundelein pageants will be held June 29, June 30 and July 1, officials announced this week. The three contests are open to girls and young women between the ages of 6 and 21. Cash and scholarship prizes are available. Applications are available at village hall or online at mundelein.org.mcd2009.

Forest preserve purchases:

The Fox River Forest Preserve and Marina in Port Barrington and Hasting Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa could expand pending approval of recommended purchases. Lake County Forest Preserve District committees on Thursday recommended the purchase of 108 acres for $2.2 million to expand the Fox River preserve to 590 acres. That purchase would provide flood protection for the Slocum Drainage Ditch. The proposal also contains several knolls that overlook surrounding wetlands. A 5-acre proposed addition at Hastings Lake would provide habitat for a variety of birds. The purchases will be considered April 14 by the forest district board of commissioners. If approved, closing would follow in 60 to 90 days.

Route 120 open house:

An open house regarding alternative alignments for the proposed Route 120 bypass is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Prairieview School, 103 E. Belvidere Road (Route 10), Hainesville. Hosted by the Route 120 Corridor Planning Council, the event is the public's opportunity to review information, get updates and voice their opinions regarding alternatives. Visit www.120now.com or contact project manager Chuck Gleason at (847) 377-7447 or cgleason@lakecountyil.gov.

Is Lake County healthy?

Overall, many Lake County residents are in good health but problems continue to impact the health of the county's minority groups. Lake County residents for the most part lead healthy lives but survey results show disparities, according to the Lake County Health Department. Survey results indicate Lake County continues to see elevated rates of overweight and obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the department. About 10 percent of survey respondents reported not having medical insurance coverage and nearly 36 percent having dental insurance. The Lake County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, is available at http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/publications/MorePublications.htm.