Lake County briefs
Beach closing info:
Lake County beachgoers can now access daily information on Lake Michigan beach advisories and swim bans at www.lakecountyil.gov/health. Click 'Swim Ban Information from LCHD' link to get the latest news on conditions. The Lake County Health Department samples Lake Michigan beaches to test for E. coli bacteria, which are found in the intestines of almost all warm-blooded animals. Certain strains can make humans sick if ingested in high enough concentrations. If water samples come back high for E. coli, the beach's manager is notified and a sign is posted indicating the beach closure. Because heavy rain tends to lead to elevated bacteria levels in the water, beachgoers are advised not to swim there for 48 hours after a large rain event. Call the department's Lakes Management Unit at (847) 377-8030.
Grand Avenue work done:
Traffic congestion eased a bit this week in the Gurnee area, with the completion of two projects that have stalled drivers. The reconstructed exit ramp from the southbound Tri-State Tollway to eastbound Grand Avenue reopened to traffic Wednesday. In related work, the westbound lanes on the Grand Avenue bridge over the tollway opened Tuesday and the eastbound lanes were scheduled to open Wednesday afternoon, according to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. The completion of the bridge work, which began last summer, opens two lanes in each direction on Grand and an additional westbound lane for traffic entering and exiting the Tri-State on the new bridge.
Senior assessment freeze:
Lake County citizens 65 or older with incomes less than $55,000 may qualify for a property assessment freeze, if the property is their primary residence. Aug. 31 is the deadline for submitting applications to the Lake County Chief County Assessment Office, 18 North County St. - 7th Floor, Waukegan. Residents can call (847) 377-2050. A list of township assessor offices and additional information is available at www.lakecountyil.gov/assessor
About 10,400 applications were approved last year.
Huge theft in Buffalo Grove:
Buffalo Grove Police are investigating what they say is the biggest theft they have seen in recent years. Company officials at Hyper Microsystems, on the 200 Block of Hastings Drive, initially reported $500,000 in goods was stolen between 8 a.m. on June 26 and 5:30 a.m. on June 27. Missing items included a trailer, computers, DVDs and VCRs. Upon further investigation, police Cmdr. Steve Husak said, the value of stolen goods is actually closer to $150,000, but it's still the largest theft he remembers in recent years. He said no other theft of this nature has occurred recently in Buffalo Grove, but the department is contacting police in other local towns to see if there have been similar crimes. "We'll be reaching out to other detectives in the area to see if there's a trend," Husak said. No arrests have been made and the goods have not been recovered.
Food collection on Fourth:
The Vernon Hills Public Works Department and Cub Scout Pack 273 will collect nonperishable food items and personal items for the Vernon and Libertyville township food pantries Saturday during the Fourth of July parade. Items needed include: pasta/sauces; rice/noodles; baked beans; macaroni and cheese; canned goods/meals; coffee/tea; cake/frosting; Bisquick pancake mix; facial tissues/toilet paper; toothpaste and brushes; bath, dish soap; shampoo/conditioner; laundry soap; paper towels. Home made items, cans without labels, expired or perishable items or open packages will not be accepted. The parade begins at 9 a.m. at Deerpath and Atrium Drive, just south of Route 60 continues south to Sullivan Drive, west to Aspen Drive to Hawthorn South Elementary School.