Arlington Heights native joins Prospect Heights police

• Arlington Heights native Colleen Zitkus joined the ranks of the Prospect Heights Police Department June 25, as she was sworn in by Prospect Heights Mayor Nicholas J. Helmer in front of family, friends, co-workers, former colleagues and the Prospect Heights City Council.

Zitkus graduated from St. Viator's High School and Dominican University, earning a degree in criminology. While attending Dominican, Zitkus completed an internship with the Prospect Heights Police Department and after graduation, joined the department as a records clerk. Zitkus later left for a position in Lincolnwood as a police officer, where she served as a patrol officer until her recent return to Prospect Heights.

• Lisa Bucciarelli-Carlos was named principal of Plainfield Elementary School, Des Plaines, at the District 62 board of education meeting in June. Bucciarelli-Carlos will replace Principal Guillermo Heredia who is moving out of state with his family.

Bucciarelli-Carlos, who most recently served as the principal of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Oak Park, began her teaching career as a Spanish teacher at Brother Rice High School, Chicago, in 1995. She went on to Hinsdale Central High School for 14 years as a Spanish and etymology teacher before becoming the department chairwoman of World Language and English Language Learners in District 205. In 2013, she went on to become an assistant principal in Chicago Public Schools and then principal in 2016 before landing at Abraham Lincoln Elementary in 2017.

She has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and education from Indiana University, a master's degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, a doctorate in curriculum studies from DePaul University and an administration and supervision graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University.

• Oakton Community College pitcher Alexander Crinigan was named the 2018 Spalding National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Pitcher of the Year.

Crinigan, a key cog in guiding Oakton to its first baseball national championship this past season, led the nation in wins (12), strikeouts (107) and innings pitched (98⅓). In addition, the right-hander shattered individual team pitching records with wins, innings pitched and strikeouts, surpassing all previous records.

"I was shocked when I found out I was named Pitcher of the Year," Crinigan said. "I honestly didn't see this coming, but it's a great feeling. I had a great year, but I couldn't have won this award without my teammates behind me. When my team scores over eight runs per game it just makes my job easier."

Crinigan is uncommitted to where he will pitch at the next level but said he will make a decision within the next few weeks.

• Greg Cardelli of Hawthorn Woods was installed as president of the Rotary Club of Long Grove, Kildeer and Hawthorn Woods for the 2018-2019 Rotary year. Other Rotary Club officers include: Immediate Past President and Foundation Chairman Jim Dopler of Kildeer; Secretary Linh Bailey of Deerfield; Treasurer Ross Spencer of Inverness; Director at Large Lyle Staab of Hawthorn Woods and Bill Ferreira of Long Grove. The club meets at 7:15 a.m. on Tuesdays at Joanie's Pizzeria of Long Grove, 235 Robert Parker Coffin Road. The club has 17 members and has been serving the community for more than 20 years.

• Submit your 'Neighbors in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.