McHenry County Blog

Here’s the latest news from Crystal Lake Community High School about the camera found in the boys’ locker room:

Crystal Lake Community High School

Dear Parents,

We are contacting you with an update on the situation at Crystal Lake Central.

Due to the quick investigative work by our school resource officer, other members of the Crystal Lake Police, and our deans, the police now have a student in custody who they believe acted alone.

Still, we have searched all locker rooms and washrooms at each District 155 school, and have not found any additional recording devices.

Please understand that because there is an ongoing investigation, we cannot provide more details at this time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Johnnie Thomas
Superintendent

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Here’s the original email to parents.

Here’s the press release from the CL Police Department.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Pin-Hole Camera Located within Central High School – Crystal Lake

On Thursday, March 7, 2013, the Crystal Lake Police Department was contacted by District 155 officials after a student found a pin-hole camera secreted within the boy’s athletic locker room at Central High School.

Upon further inspection, the camera is a stand-alone device, which does not possess the capability of main streaming video to a wireless system.

Crystal Lake Community High School

This device was turned over to the Crystal Lake Police Department.

This matter is currently under investigation.

We will be using a forensic examiner to review any digital images.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is urged to contact the Crystal Lake Police Department at 815 356-3620.

Information can also be left anonymously via cellular phone by texting CLPDTIP along with the information to 847411 (tip411), through the web at http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/group.html?id=4930, or by calling Crime Stoppers at (800)762-7867.

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Here is the email sent parents.

And here’s what parents were told this afternoon:

Crystal Lake Central High School.

Dear Central Parents,

We are writing to inform you of an unfortunate incident that occurred at Crystal Lake Central High School today. A student discovered what appears to be a video recording device in a boys’ athletic locker room.

We take incidents like this very seriously, and a full investigation was launched immediately by our school resource officer and other members of the Crystal Lake Police Department. We also immediately inspected every locker room and bathroom at Crystal Lake Central and the district’s other high schools. No other devices were found. The recording device has been turned over to law enforcement authorities.

We are fully cooperating with the police investigation, and are very disappointed that someone would commit such an act. Pending the results of the police investigation, we will pursue criminal and disciplinary action to the full extent possible under the law and school policy.

What we can discuss about this situation is very limited because it involves an ongoing police investigation, but if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Steve Olson. In addition, please be aware that we have our full array of social workers, counselors, and school psychologists available to support your child should he or she have any issues processing this situation. If you or your child has any information regarding this incident, they should contact the Crystal Lake Police Department directly.

The safety and welfare of all of our students is a top priority and we continue to work with the Crystal Lake Police to ensure that this issue is resolved in a thorough and expedient manner. Thank you for your support of our school district and our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Johnnie Thomas, Superintendent and Steve Olson, Principal

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Here is the Crystal Lake Police Department’s press release.

After all the hubbub about the lockdown drill at Cary-Grove High School, District 155 is determined to train teachers and students what to do if there is a threat from a deranged person with a gun, but the drill at the second high school, Crystal Lake Central, will proceed sans shots from starter pistols.

Below is the email parents received this morning about next Tuesday’s simulation.

Crystal Lake Central High School.

Dear Parents:

The school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut is a tragic reminder of the importance of school security and safety.

At Crystal Lake Central and across District 155, we make your child’s safety our number one priority each day.

As a parent myself, I can assure you that we understand our responsibility to return your child safely at the end of each day.

While we take many preventative steps to keep our building secure, we also practice our response should a crisis arise.

Some examples include

• meetings with first responders
• a comprehensive crisis response plan
• simulations

In fact, prior to the Connecticut tragedy, we had a building-wide lockdown drill for our staff on October 26, 2012.

My administrative team and I feel it is important to explain to you in advance our next planned simulation drill with students so that you and your child might be able to better understand what will take place on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.

The simulation will take approximately 10-15 minutes during which time teachers will

• secure their rooms
• draw curtains
• keep their students from traveling throughout the buildin

Our school resource officer and additional Crystal Lake Police will assist us in sweeping the building to ensure that all students are in a secure location during the drill.

Please be aware that at this time we will not be enacting any active scenarios or simulated gunfire as a part of this drill.

Since we have not previously conducted a drill of this kind with students, we feel it is important to establish the protocols and routines so that all students understand the lockdown procedure.

At the conclusion of the drill, we will return to our normal classroom routine.

I encourage you to discuss the drill with your student both before it happens and after.

These drills help our students and staff to be prepared should a crisis occur, but because of the timing, it may cause some students to have an emotional reaction. In those cases, your voice may provide reassurances of the drill’s importance.

Additionally, we have trained social workers on staff who can speak directly with your child should he or she need added support.

If you have any questions, please contact me or any member of Central’s administrative team. Together, we can keep our schools a safe place for your child to learn and grow.

Sincerely,

Steve Olson, Principal

When I was over  at my state legislators’ offices Wednesday, I was complaining passionately about the way the Crystal lake City Council wasted money on changing the streetscape of part Route 14.

That’s a term I first ran into in Algonquin.  Some planner used it.

The Virgina Street Tax Increment Financing District was explained at a Crystal Lake Kiwanis meeting before it was passed, but I missed the meeting.

Wish I hadn’t.

I might have picked up some advance notice of the profligate spending the new TIF District would bring.

I have previously published examples of waste on Route 14.

I showed you the old and the new “decorative” street lights.

Pam Althoff pointed me to a thrid monument to the Crystal Lake City Council near the Crystal Lake Motel.

Before they were uniform.

Now there’s a mishmash.

The City Council folks won’t stand for that, I surmised.  They will take more commercial property off the tax rolls of the school, park, Conservation, township, junior college and county tax districts.  They’ll form another TIF and borrow money to make the area from Pizza Hut to the Vulcan Lake TIF look “pretty,” too.

Then, I saw the cemetery monument on Virginia Street near the Pizza Hut.

But that wasn’t all.

I found another one at the northern end of the TIF District, across from Kwik Kopy.

While complaining how I, a resident of Lakewood and Althoff, a resident of McHenry, and everyone else in McHenry County would be forced to pay for Crystal Lake extravagant spending, she told me there were more than two pillars.

“What!?” I exclaimed, inquired.

She said there was another one just down the street from her office.

When I drove home, I saw it, right before the Crystal Lake Motel.

I can’t help but wonder what they cost.

There other similar monuments in Crystal Lake.

They are in front of Crystal Lake Central High School.

The Class of 1924 gave twin pillars in front of Crystal Lake Community High School.

They, however, were not financed with tax dollars over a 23-year period.

The CLCHS Class of 1924 paid for them.

They were a graduation gift to the Crystal Lake Community High School.

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog published the percentage of incoming freshmen at McHenry County College require remedial math classes.

The best high school district was Huntley’s at 46% needing help to be able to take a college course.

Today, we look at the situation with regard to English.

It’s much better.

The average is only 11%.

So, take a look at the figures for each of the high school districts in McHenry County College District 528:
Previously, I typed out the results math results so people could find them with an internet search engine.  Today, we’ll do the same for preparation for college English, except going from best to worst.

• Alden-Hebron – 0%
• Richmond-Burton – 6%
• Marengo – 8%
• Johnsburg – 9%
• McHenry – 11%
• Crystal Lake, Cary-Grove – 11%
• Woodstock – 14%
• Huntley – 20%
• Harvard – 38%

Again, explanations are welcomed in the comment section.

Bonnie Karp shared her background with Kiwanis members. Former Kiwanis Presidents Joe and Amber Johnson.

Crystal Lake Kiwanis had its second to last meeting at the current location of Colonial Cafe.

Notice to Colonial patrons of the coming switch in locations and pending addition of wine and beer to the offerings.

That’s where I met my wife at the now-defunct Crystal Lake Kiwanis Breakfast Club. The noon club has been meeting in the same room.

The sign on the Colonial Cafe door says that those wishing to visit the current spot have until Sunday, June 5th, to do so.

Then, it will be closed for five days to re-open on Friday, June 10th.

Moving into a remodeled Baker’s Square will allow Colonial Cafe to serve more people.

There is also a new feature being tested.

Wine and beer will be served.

Chief Chef Grant Werner was in Crystal Lake today. He told me the wine will be Fetzner, of which I am pleased to report has my wife’s approval.

Colonial Cafe Chief Colonial Chef Grant Werner preparing for the pending move to a new location.

That means I’ll be able to dine with her and have my favorite citrus tango salad and she can have a glass of wine.

In addition, about a month after the new location across Route 14 opens, Chef Werner says rib eye steak and bourbon glazed pork chops will be added to the menu.

I’m planning to take my wife to the old location this Thursday night, when there will be a “Colonial Cafe Cares“night to benefit the family of Brandon Peters, the Crystal Lake Central High School student who died of cancer last Thursday.

Colonial Cafe will donate 20% of the proceeds from 4:30 to 10 to the Peters’ family to defray the inevitable expenses that go with any long illness.

Brandon Peters

A place to donate sits on the check-out counter. Click to enlarge.

Most restaurants require those benefiting from such programs to have a not-for-profit status.  It seems that Colonial does not.  Now, that is true charity.

Those whose schedules will not allow them to dine at Colonial Thursday night, can donate in a big ice cream container on the

Crystal Lake's Colonial Cafe

Crystal Lake’s Colonial Cafe was expecting Crystal Lake Central High School student Brandon Peters to attend a benefit to help pay for his cancer treatment Thursday.

The 15-year old straight-A freshman basketball team member died Thursday, so he will be there in spirit only.

Colonial will donate 20% of the receipts to the family from 4-10 PM.

Colonial calls it “Colonial Cares Night.”

This Colonial location in front of K-Mart is closing this weekend.

The restaurant will reopen across the street in a larger location where Baker’s Square used to be.

So, if you come Thursday, you can say good-bye not only to Brandon, but one of my favorite Crystal Lake restaurants.

And help his family with the bills that always go with illness.

The Facebook page is here.

Contributions can also be dropped into a big ice cream container at the check-out counter.

Crystal Lake Policeman Sean McGrath on ABC in 2008.

The program to entice high school students to fasten their seat belts that started in Crystal Lake will hold its annual awards luncheon at D’Andrea’s Banquets at 10:45 on Thursday, April 21st.

That’s what Crystal Lake Policeman Sean McGrath, the non-paid President of the not-for-profit organization told me the day the hearing for Mercy Hospital was held at city hall.

“Saving Students One ‘Click’ at a Time” is the group’s slogan.

Students are rewarded during the year when they are stopped by police and have their seat belts fastened.

If 90% of students at a high school are found to have buckled up, a student from the school gets a chance at winning a car.

Does the program work?

Take a look:

From 65% seat belt compliance to 95% buckling up in Crystal Lake high schools! This is a program that works.

Show me another teen safe driving program that can produce results like that.

This voluntary incentive program is better than any law that has ever been passed.

The Barrington/Hoffman Estates Chapter and Libertyville/Wauconda Chapter will be on Friday, April 29th at the Sears Center as part of the Chicago Slaughter Indoor Football Game. If you have questions or interest in attending, contact Sean McGrath at 815-482-8885.

The 2008 awards ceremony. Sam Oginni, sponsor and owner of Crystal Lake Buick-GMC is seen on the left.

In 2008, ABC Channel 7 did a story explaining the program that can be found here.

The car approached from the south, ran over the first driveway, through the bushes and hit a Jeep at the end of the second house's driveway.

Last night was my alma mater’s Homecoming Dance.

A neighbor was taking two young ladies from Crystal Lake Central High School to have their pictures taken shortly before I finished walking part of my Algonquin 7 precinct Saturday.

This afternoon, while walking down the east leg of Riverside Drive in County Club Additions, a 420-some home subdivision between the south shore of Crystal Lake and the Crystal Lake Country Club, I discovered two damaged Jeeps.

I was told a car came from the direction of the Country Club about 3 AM, left the street on the right, plowing through shrubbery into a Jeep parked at the end of driveway near the neighbor’s garage.

The 17-year old boy then backed his Jeep into another Jeep nearer the street.

The two male occupants then abandoned their (parents?) car and ran away.

They were captured is what I was told.

Do you think the youths had attended the CLCHS Homecoming festivities?

What do you think will be their punishment—not from juvenile court—but from their parents?

I imagine car insurance rates will increase a good bit.

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I also learned that the city had required the first homeowner to remove an ash tree infested by the emerald ash borer.  It was just the right time to be able to identify ash trees in the neighborhood.  Some were dropping their crunchy leaves.  Others were still displaying their bright yellow little leaves.

Ash tree that shades our home in the summer.

Maybe others in the neighborhood are having their ash trees treated with insecticide, but, if not, the ash tree you see behind our home at Gate 11 will soon be the only one alive in the neighborhood.  Wayne White is my Master Arborist.  He has an ad on McHenry County Blog with a link to his web site.