Lake County in 60 seconds

Horses still out of their home

Fields & Fences Equestrian Center near Gurnee still has 41 of 50 quarter horses that were evacuated there last week less than three hours before the animals' barn collapsed. Heavy snow and weak trusses combined to cause the middle of the Dianne Eppers Stables barn to collapse last Friday, said Gurnee Fire Department officials. The barn is near Dada Drive and Knowles Road, just east of Route 45 outside Gurnee. Fields & Fences owner Anita Schadeck said her heated facility had 41 of the 50 horses Tuesday. She said the other nine were taken to on out-of-state Western pleasure show. She said the quarter horses at her stable have coats that are kept thin for show purposes, making the animals sensitive to cold temperatures. Fire officials said Eppers called for assistance after noticing the barn's roof sagging over the riding area section.

Mundelein ice rink sled hill

The Mundelein Park District's free ice rink and sled hill is open at Keith Mione Community Park on Midlothian Road, between Route 176 and Winchester Road, in Mundelein. Both areas are lighted and are open weather permitting. Ice hockey and open skate is available until 10 p.m. daily. Hours for each activity are posted at the site and are also available at mundeleinparks.org. The adjacent sled hill is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., when covered with at least 3 inches of snow. Nonmetal sleds, tubes and saucers are permitted. Snowboards, skis and the constructing of jumps are not allowed.

New school technology improves communication

The Fremont District 79 school board recently approved a service contract with Alert Now Rapid Communication Service. It will provide the district with an automated telephone calling service in the event school administrators need to contact parents about emergencies. The service will allow officials to immediately alert parents via e-mail, cellular telephone, or home telephone of an emergency that may exist in the district or when the schools will be closed due to bad weather. Officials are presently coordinating the implementation of the new system. Also, District 79's updated and improved Web site will be available to the public by mid-January. The revised Web site allows visitors to navigate the site and find information more efficiently.