Lake County in 60 seconds
Warren Township vote on land purchase:
Warren Township government hosts a meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 allowing registered voters to decide whether $4 million should be used to buy 50 acres that would be converted into athletic fields and a preserve near Gurnee Mills. The town hall meeting will be at Warren Township High School's O'Plaine Road campus auditorium, just south of Grand Avenue in Gurnee. Those who plan to vote must bring valid photo identification. If built, the land near Stearns School Road and Mill Creek Drive, northwest of Gurnee Mills, would have three football fields, four baseball/softball diamonds and two lacrosse fields, according to a conceptual development plan. There also would be restoration and preservation of 17 acres with hickory and oak trees. Proponents say there is a need to accommodate continued growth in youth sports in the Gurnee area. However, a representative from the Citizens for Responsible Government watchdog group questions spending the $4 million during a recession and the idea of Warren Township straying from its core function of providing social services. Township officials say a $3.3 million loan and $700,000 cash would pay for the project. Officials said a tax increase would not be pursued for loan repayment.
Pumpkin drop:
The Mundelein Park District will hold a free pumpkin drop at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Mundelein Community Center, 1401 N. Midlothian Road. Toss, roll, smash and watch pumpkins soar with the new pumpkin "trebuchet" catapult. All ages are invited to try their luck at prizes and use their strength to drop, smash and launch pumpkins using the 10-foot catapult created by Mundelein High School students. Enjoy snacks, learn about composting, the environment, share in the cleanup and more. Registration is requested at (847) 566-0650 or visit www.mundeleinparks.org.
School board seat open:
Round Lake Area Unit District 116 is seeking applications to fill a vacancy on the school board. Applicants must be a registered voter and a district resident for at least a year. Those wishing to apply should send a letter of interest by Oct. 30 to Ben Martindale, chief executive officer, 316 S. Rosedale Court, Round Lake, 60073. Office hours are 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. weekdays.
Vernon Hills road projects:
Local road rehab projects for the next five years have been announced in Vernon Hills. For 2010, planned work involves grinding and replacing an inch and a half of surface on Aspen Drive from the Aspen Pointe development south to the end of the road; Apollo, Alice, and Aqua courts; Abbey Lane, New Century Street from the Dominick's store to Ring Road and Evergreen Drive. Cost of the work is about $687,000. The village had scheduled about $1 million in local road resurfacing in past years, but has reduced the amount based on a reassessment of the need for the work and because of the economy. Local road repairs will average about $700,000 each year through 2013. The work is funded by motor fuel tax funds.