Lake County briefs

Libertyville lifts moratoriumThe Libertyville village board on Tuesday ended a moratorium on "personal service" businesses in the downtown and surrounding area. The moratorium was imposed in August after a Crystal Lake man proposed opening a tattoo studio in a vacant storefront at 406 N. Milwaukee Ave. The village code allowed personal services in certain areas but did not define the term. A related action by the board Tuesday amended the zoning code, based on a recommendation from the village's plan commission, to list permitted uses but tattoo establishments did not make the cut.School Street plan approvedDevelopers of what has been described as a "throwback neighborhood" anchored by the former Central School building east of downtown Libertyville, received final approval this week to proceed. The village board approved several items, including a new development plan that calls for 26 single family homes as well as the conversion of the old school for living space. Several lots have already been sold in what is being marketed as neighborhood of homes with big porches meant to evoke another era. School Street Partners took over from the Hummel Group Ltd., which got the go-ahead from the village to build a community of high-end row houses. Five were built but construction stopped two years ago and the property went into foreclosure.Brainerd open houseLibertyville High School alumni and the general public is invited to an all-class homecoming and reunion open house from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Brainerd Building, 416 W. Park Ave. (Route 176) Libertyville. The open house will feature tours of Brainerd along with a continental breakfast sponsored by Sunset Foods. Brainerd is the focus of a grass-roots effort to create a community center. Brainerd was the first high school in Lake County and served generations of Libertyville area students. (847) 722-8517 SaveBrainerd.org.Oktoberfest in Vernon HillsVernon Hills will host its sixth annual Oktoberfest from 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Metra station parking lot, 75 Route 45. The free event features kids crafts, pumpkins to paint, a hay ride and other attractions and a petting zoo. Music will be provided by Chains Unbroken County Me In, Vernon Hills student band and Mr. Slate. (847) 367-3700.Register to vote by Oct. 5If you want to vote in the Nov. 2 election but haven't yet registered, the deadline is Oct. 5. To confirm you are registered in Lake County at your current address, visit amiregistered.info or call (847) 377-2410. To register, a person must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old by Election Day and residents of their precinct for at least 30 days. Voters may register at the county clerk's office in Waukegan and at most municipal, township and library facilities.