Briefs: District may refinance bonds

Huntley Unit District 158 may consider refinancing the bonds that paid for the $11.8 million Marlowe Middle School addition that opened last year. The district was supposed to pay off the bonds with fees collected from developers and ultimately passed on to homeowners, but the slowdown in housing has severely curbed the amount of revenue the district is receiving from this source. The district, though, is on the hook for about $2 million a year in payments, school board Vice President Tony Quagliano said. Refinancing may enable the district to make smaller payments over a longer period of time but could end up costing more in the long run.

Get your scare on

Fox River Grove Rec Council's annual haunted house is revving up for its 10th and final year. Mack Manor Haunted House will be open Oct. 17 and 18 and 24 and 25 at Lions Park. A non-scary tour is open from 6 to 7 p.m. Entry fee is $3 for children younger than 10. Flashlights are allowed. From 7 to 10 p.m, get the wits scared out of you for $9. It's very dark and claustrophobic. The house has been doubled in size with outside rooms in addition to the 1,500 square feet of indoor dark halls, creepy clowns, cages and spinning walls.

Online flu shot scheduling

The McHenry County Department of Health has created an online scheduling system for flu shot appointments (adults, children 9 years and older) at www.mcdh.info. Appointments can also be made by phone at (815) 334-4510 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Cost is $35; Medicare Part B accepted. The online scheduling system will be available 24 hours a day. Flu shot appointments for children 8 or younger should be made at the Children's Clinic by calling (815) 334-4536.