Lake County briefs

Robbery arrests:

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran has called a news conference for Friday morning to announce the arrests of eight people in as many as 21 armed robberies throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Curran is scheduled to be joined by representatives of police departments in Fox Lake, Lake Villa, Antioch, Richmond and the McHenry County sheriff's office. Nine police departments from southern Wisconsin were also involved in the two-month investigation, a statement from Curran's office said.

Flood funds sought:

Lake County is seeking state disaster designation to secure funds for flood damage sustained after heavy rain June 18 and 19. County Board President Suzi Schmidt on Thursday declared a "state of emergency and disaster" a precursor to state funding. The proclamation said the storms caused widespread flash flooding of homes, businesses, roads and infrastructure followed by flooding along the Fox River, Chain O' Lakes and Des Plaines River. The Lake County Emergency Management Agency said the northeast part of the county was hardest hit but wants to compile an overall picture and is asking communities to list specific homes and businesses that were damaged. The information should be submitted by the end of the day Friday at (847) 377-7100 or faxed to (847) 377-7015. A flood alert level was reduced Thursday although a flood warning for Lake County continues based on the current levels of the Des Plaines and Fox rivers.

Roadside check in Volo:

The Illinois State Police will join the Lake County Sheriff's Office in performing a roadside safety check at the intersection of Route 12 and Route 120 in Volo. The safety check will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and conclude at 3 a.m. Saturday. Police will be looking for seat-belt compliance as well as drug- or alcohol-related driving.