Briefs: Robber pleads guilty

Piotr Jaworowski, implicated in the robberies of 17 suburban gas stations, convenience and liquor stores over a period of seven months beginning in October 2007, pleaded guilty Thursday to 10 counts of armed robbery and one count of attempted armed robbery. He received a sentence of 11 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Police had described the 31-year-old Arlington Heights resident as a "one-man crime wave" following his arrest in May for robberies in Arlington Heights, Lake Zurich, Prospect Heights, Palatine, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Buffalo Grove and other Cook and Lake County communities. Assistant state's attorney Cathy Nauheimer said Jaworowski used a B.B. gun to commit most of the robberies.

Voting begins:

In-person absentee voting for the Nov. 4 election is available until Oct. 10 at the Lake County clerk's office in downtown Waukegan. Votes can be cast between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Fridays. To request an absentee ballot or for more information, go to lakecountyil.gov/countyclerk, or call (847) 377- 2406.

Meet candidates Saturday, Sunday at forums:

The YWCA of Lake County has planned three candidate forums. A voter registration fair and candidate forum is today, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Wauconda Area Public Library, 801 N. Main St. The forum featuring some candidates from the 8th Congressional District, 26th State Senate District, and 52nd State House District begins at 2 p.m. Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich, hosts a voter-registration drive and candidate forum from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday featuring candidates in the 51st State House District and 26th State Senate District. A second Sunday forum is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. at Vernon Township Community Service Building, 2900 N. Main St., Buffalo Grove. Attending will be candidates in the 59th State House District.

Fire open house:

Countryside Fire Protection District will host is annual open house from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, at its headquarters, 600 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills. This event, which features a pancake breakfast, kicks off fire prevention week. Visitors can meet and greet local firefighters and check out state of the art equipment. Several groups will provide safety tips. Demonstrations of fire sprinklers and search and rescue dogs are among the activities. Ronald McDonald and an inflatable fire truck will provide fun for kids. Ticket sales benefit fire safety programs in the district and disaster relief to area residents. Call (847) 367-5511 e-mail arodkey@countrysidefire.com.

Mom and son found OK:

Gurnee police said a 32-year-old woman and her son who were reported missing were found in Chicago on Friday and are not in any danger. Police said the woman and her 4-year-old boy lived with her parents in Gurnee. Police said the parents reported the boy and his mom missing Thursday. Police said they spoke with the woman Friday and she told them she and the child are OK and were in Chicago voluntarily. Both appeared in good health, cops said. The parents told police they hadn't seen their daughter since Sept. 15, when she claimed to be going for an oil change and to run errands. The parents said the woman last called them Sept. 27, according to authorities.