Lake County Digest
New West Nile cases:
The Illinois Department of Public Health today confirmed three new cases of people infected with West Nile virus, bringing the total number of human cases in Illinois to six this year. These latest cases include a Kane County woman and a Cook County man, both in their 40s. The first human case of the year was reported in DuPage County on June 15. So far, six Illinois counties have reported positive mosquito samples: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Lee, Sangamon and Tazewell. Last year, a total of 215 human cases of West Nile disease, including 10 deaths, were reported in Illinois.
Recorder to run again:
Lake County Recorder of Deeds Mary Ellen Vanderventer on Wednesday formally announced her intent to seek a fourth term. She was first elected in 1996 and for a while was the only Democrat holding countywide office. Her current term expires in 2008.
On your marks:
The 11th annual Lake Zurich Triathlon is set for 6:45 a.m. Sunday at Paulus Park, off Route 12 north of Route 22 in Lake Zurich. The triathlon now offers Olympic and Sprint distances. The Olympic distance race involves a 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run; the sprint distance involves a .5K swim, 20K bike ride and 5K run. The entire event is set around Lake Zurich, one of the cleanest lakes in the state. Roughly 1,000 participants are expected to attend. Food and beverages will be provided at the finish line. An awards ceremony will be held at 10:15 a.m. Race results will be posted on the triathlon's Web site, www.lztri.com, by Monday. Check the Web site for additional race information.
Grant honors late student:
The American Brain Tumor Association has awarded a one-year research grant to Dr. Khalid Shah at Massachusetts General Hospital in memory of the late Billy Misik, a 21-year-old Lake Zurich High School graduate who died of brain tumor in January 2006. Misik played the lead roles in all of Lake Zurich High's productions. He was admitted to the American Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in New York. His mother, Chris Misik, is a private vocal instructor at Lake Zurich High.