Neighbors in the news: Long Grove fire chief retires after 30 years of service
Congratulations to Fire Chief Robert Turpel on his retirement from the Long Grove Fire Protection District after 30 years of service.
Turpel came up through the ranks to become fire chief in 2001. During his 20-year tenure as chief, the LGFPD witnessed extraordinary growth in its formation, business operations and in its heightened service and contribution to the surrounding communities.
Under Turpel's direction, the fire district became a full-time fire organization. Through his leadership and strong financial and business acumen, he was able to update and increase the fleet of firefighters while creating a well-balanced fiscal policy and balance sheet for the department, resulting in the hiring of full-time and part-time firefighters, further needed departmental investments, and the creation of a pension plan for firefighters.
In further service to the community, he initiated the publication of the LGFPD newsletter for the village of Long Grove, was an active member of the Regional Emergency Dispatch Center, helped create CERT (County Emergency Response Team) for the area of southern Lake County, and was active in updating the regional training center, CAFT (Combined Area Fire Training), that serves many of the fire districts in the area.
• Attorney Tom Lewcyzkowski joined Schaumburg-based Lavelle Law as an associate in the firm's Business Law, M&A, and Real Estate practice groups.
Lewcyzkowski will be able to assist with business and real estate clients in the Polish communities throughout the area, as he is fluent in the language.
He received a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Loyola University, Chicago, and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
During law school, he worked at the Chicago Bar Foundation and with a technology company, where he researched and drafted agreements across multiple industries. He also served as production editor for the Journal of Law, Technology & Policy at the University of Illinois College of Law.
"Our business and M&A groups continue to see growth, and Tom will allow us to further expand and serve a broader range of clients," said Managing Partner Ted McGinn. "He will work under our partners in those groups and will begin making contributions right away."
• Jaritt Shinhoster, a native of Hoffman Estates, and member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestling team, finished eighth in the NCAA Division III "Most Dominant" statistical category for the 2021-22 season.
Shinhoster ranked eighth in Division III with 4.59 team points per match. He finished his campaign with a 32-2 record, including only one loss against Division III competition, and tallied 12 pins, five technical falls and 10 major decisions.
He claimed the national championship at 184 pounds with a 4-0 record at the NCAA Championship, earning three major decisions before posting a 12-6 decision against Paul Detweiler of U.S. Coast Guard Academy in the title bout.
His run helped the Warhawks tie for 17th in the team standings with 22 team points.
Shinhoster completed an impressive season, earning Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NCAA Upper Midwest region individual championships and the WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete award in addition to his national title.
He is now a two-time All-American for his career.
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