End of an era in Lake County,, a library's rehab plans in Lombard, last-minute election tricks and more.

The last-minute direct mail:

Ahead of Tuesday's primary, the grain-of-salt rule applies to any last-minute campaign literature you get this weekend. There's a reason campaigns save the dirty stuff for the end when it's mostly too late for opponents to dispute or for anyone to fact-check.

Not too late to join Primary 2016:

Wish you'd gotten in sooner on this primary election? It's not too late. Through Monday, you can register and vote at the same time. Check the county clerk's or local board of elections' website for locations and what IDs are required.

The limits of what you think of things:

If you don't research the issues, your opinions don't really amount to much.

End of an era?

There's been a Winchester House nursing home in Lake County for 170 years, but that could end with a proposal by a private company to build a modern $30 million facility in Mundelein. Winchester House opened as the county's poor farm in 1847. We hate to see it go, but multimillion dollar losses have made operating it financially untenable.

Redwings rule:

Congratulations to the Benet Academy's girls basketball team. The Redwings, behind senior standout Kathleen Doyle and coach Joe Kilbride, claimed their second state Class 4A title last weekend after defeating top-ranked Fremd, which also made the finals for the second consecutive year.

It takes a team:

While congratulations go out to all the players honored by the Daily Herald All-Area Basketball Teams for boys and girls, it's important these standout players remember they didn't achieve this honor alone. Teammates, parents, coaches, family and friends helped along the way. They deserve thanks and recognition as well.

Helen Plum expansion:

Lombard residents would do well to pay attention to what's going on at Helen Plum Library. Officials want to expand the 53-year-old facility or build a new one, both costly options. Library officials have held six informational sessions that attracted only 60 people. More sessions are planned. Use them.

The rites of spring:

While we await the Major League Baseball season, high school athletes are refining their skills in preparation for the spring season in baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, track and field and other sports. As always, we look forward to healthy competition built around fair play and good sportsmanship

Inevitable:

Following the Kane County Board's rejection of a drug and alcohol treatment center near Campton Hills, it's a good guess the matter will now head to a federal court. The $1,000-a-day center, set in a rural area, has been opposed by residents, the village, nearby townships and the local fire district.

The argument against:

The unlit, two-lane roads, opponents say, can't handle the high volume of police and emergency response calls sure to ensue. "We'd have the same concerns if it were a medical complex, dental complex or nursing home," said Campton Township Trustee Joe Miller.

The argument for:

Such a center is sorely needed and it will bring jobs to the area. Supporters say the real concerns are based on unfounded fears that all drug addicts are violent criminals. We shall see.

Protect your right to whine:

If you don't vote, you don't have much right to complain.

Remembering Karen Baumann:

We wish comfort this morning to Chairman Emeritus Dan Baumann and Managing Editor Jim Baumann on the passing March 4 of Karen Baumann, Dan's wife and Jim's mother. The light of her family, she was a kind woman who believed in good works.