Briefs: Staph infection in Dist. 34

Antioch Elementary District 34 issued a letter to parents Tuesday warning that at least one staph infection case has been reported. The letter, written by Superintendent Scott Thompson does not say how many cases have been reported, or at which school or schools. Thompson said the district is working with the Lake County Health Department and the appropriate precautions have been taken.

No sign of kayaker

Crews searching Lake Michigan haven't yet found a Gurnee man who disappeared while kayaking over the weekend, authorities said Tuesday. Water Doroba was last heard from Sunday afternoon when he called his wife and said he was on the lake east of Waukegan. His kayak later was recovered on the water, and personal items were found on shore, police said. The search should resume today, Lake County sheriff's police said. Anyone with information about Doroba's disappearance should call the sheriff's office at (847) 377-4250.

Gentes files for senate

Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes officially filed with the Illinois State Board of Election to run for the 26th District state Senate seat in the upcoming Feb. 5 primary election. Should no one else file, Gentes will run unopposed as a Democrat on the ballot. He will face off against either Republican Rod Drobinski of Wauconda or Republican Dan Duffy of Lake Barrington in November 2008. Gentes announced earlier in the year that he would seek a state post in the coming election.

Des Plaines River cleanup

Some students at Gurnee-based Warren Township High School District 121 will walk a two-mile stretch of the Des Plaines River as part of a cleanup effort from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. About 150 or so teenagers in Mother Earth's Concerned Students group are expected to pick up trash left in or near the river. The students will meet in the Gowe Beach parking lot behind Warren's O'Plaine Road campus for freshmen and sophomores. Michelle Luce, a student co-supervisor for the environmental group, said participants have seen everything from baseballs to cans to socks littering the river's edge.

Victorian Tea

Tickets for MainStreet Libertyville's Victorian Tea are available. The event, held on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, is part of the annual Dickens of a Holiday celebration. This year features a genuine English tea with finger sandwiches and desserts at St. Lawrence Episcopal Church. Space is limited. Call (847) 680-0336 or visit www.mainstreetlibertyville.org.