Briefs: Gurnee hires public works chief

Thomas Rigwood has been hired as Gurnee's new public works director, replacing Gary Gramhofer. Gurnee village board members approved Rigwoood's hiring at a meeting Monday night. Rigwood comes to Gurnee from Crystal Lake, where he's been public works street division superintendent. He's been in the public works field for more than 24 years. "Tom is a great addition to the village's management team," Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said. "His strong experience in public works, combined with his leadership skills, will enhance our ability to serve the community." Rigwood is slated to launch his Gurnee career Nov. 3. Gramhofer, who wasn't reappointed to his post in Gurnee, is now the village of Round Lake Beach's assistant public works director. Gramhofer was formally introduced at a Sept. 8 village board meeting in Round Lake Beach.

Special library meeting set

The Cook Memorial Public Library Board hosts a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 28, to approve a construction bid for a new Vernon Hills Library and to discuss other matters. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the main library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. The board also will review schematics for a renovated main library and decide whether to accept a loan from Vernon Hills officials to build a basement at the library there.

Vacancy on the bench

Applications are being sought to fill a vacancy in the 19th Judicial Circuit. An associate judge is needed. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, licensed to practice law in Illinois and residents of the 19th Circuit. Applications must be filed by 5 p.m. Nov. 21 with Director Cynthia Y. Cobbs at the administrative office of the Illinois courts. The mailing address is: 3101 Old Jacksonville Road, Springfield, Ill., 62704-6488. Applications are available at the chief judge's office in Waukegan or online at state.il.us/court.

Adopt-A-Sailor returns

Great Lakes Naval Station near North Chicago announced the return of its Adopt-A-Sailor program. Families may invite Navy personnel to Thanksgiving Day dinner so they can get away from the base and enjoy a relaxed holiday atmosphere. Sailor and recruits from three major commands will take part in the program. Civic organization slots for Adopt-A-Sailor already have been filled for Thanksgiving. Interested families may call Michael Miller at the Naval Service Command public affairs office at (847) 688-4469 or e-mail him at michael.miller@navy.mil. He's available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Navy officials said they expect e-mail applications to move more rapidly. Four sailors per family will be allotted. Approved families will be asked to pick up the sailors at the base from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day.