Lake County briefs

Principal leaving Woodland Intermediate:Kent Ashton is leaving a nearly 13-year career at Gurnee-based Woodland Elementary District 50 to relocate in Arizona. Officials made the announcement Tuesday. Ashton's most recent job was as principal of the Intermediate School in Gurnee. "I am excited to be moving near family and the opportunities a warmer climate affords my active recreational lifestyle of biking, hiking, running and water skiing - a big change for me having lived in this area my entire life," Ashton said. Michael Witkowski will replace Ashton as Intermediate School principal. Witkowski has been associate principal of Woodland Middle School in Gurnee since 2006. He said he plans to build a strong relationship within the school community by creating warm, welcoming environment for staff, students and parents at the intermediate building.Charity car wash set:The Mundelein Fire Explorers Post No. 196 will host a car wash from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the main fire station, 1000 N. Midlothian Road. The event will raise money for a fire cadet training program later this month.Fun day for boys at Gurnee firehouse:Two Woodland Primary School students today are scheduled to pay a special visit to firefighter/paramedics working at Gurnee's main station on Old Grand Avenue. Ben and Charlie McCarthy's itinerary includes lunch with Gurnee's bravest, along with a tour and a birthday cake. The boys lost their father, Chuck McCarthy, to cancer last spring. The day for the boys came through the Woodland Educational Foundation's second benefit auction, Woodland Wishes, held April 17 at the Hunt Club Community Center. More than $14,000 was raised at the event. Woodland Educational Foundation was established in 2006.Get ready for Juneteenth:Preparations are under way for the seventh annual Juneteenth Conference and Festival, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at the College of Lake County's Lakeshore Campus in downtown Waukegan. Various fun and educational activities are planned that focus on the theme "Juneteenth Salutes Men of Lake County: A Valuable Presence in Our Community." Juneteenth represents the joy of freedom and is the oldest known celebration that commemorates the end of slavery. The event at the Waukegan campus' courtyard will launch with the traditional African Opening Ceremony at noon. From noon to 2 p.m., a variety of speakers will be featured, including a keynote address by Benjamin Chavis, president/CEO of Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. Juneteenth is a free event. For information, call (847) 543-2191.