McHenry County Blog

As you might imagine, the SUV won.

Considering how relatively small motorcycles are, my guess is that it’s usually four-wheeled vehicles that hit the two-wheeled ones.

Here’s a press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department about the crash:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash

Motorcyclists follow the same laws as motorists.

On Monday, May 16, 2011 Emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle crash on Pyott Road near Rakow Road, involving a motorcycle and a sports utility vehicle.

Upon arrival crews determined that a 1994 Honda Goldwing motorcycle, operated by Paul Ruge (57) of Bloomingdale, IL had collided with a 1998 Ford Explorer, driven by Danielle Hoeck (30) of Algonquin, IL.

A subsequent investigation revealed the Ford Explorer came to a stop on Pyott Road, southbound at the intersection of Rakow Road for a red traffic control light, when it was struck from behind by the motorcycle.

The rider, Paul Ruge, was examined by Crystal Lake paramedics, and declined emergency transport. Danielle Hoeck was not injured.

Ruge was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Collision, and was released from the scene.

Traffic was diverted from the southbound lanes for approximately 30 minutes as crews assessed the drivers, and removed the damaged vehicles and debris.

Know those signs and bumper stickers about being on the lookout for motorcycles. The man who hit a motorcycle while entering Pyott Road apparently didn’t heed the advice.  No injuries, but both drivers got tickets.

A second accident occurred north of Rt 176 on Route 31.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department about two crashes today:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crashes

Pyott Road North of Rakow Road

On Wednesday, April 13, 2011 the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a traffic crash near the intersection of Rakow Road and Pyott Road.

Upon arrival, emergency crews determined a 2000 Suzuki motorcycle, operated by Timothy L. Shaffer (21) of Crystal Lake and a 2003 Toyota Tundra, operated by David Redman (50), also of Crystal Lake were involved.

Fire Rescue personnel evaluated both drivers, determining none sustained injuries requiring immediate medical attention.

Police investigated the crash, and determined the motorcycle had been traveling south on Pyott Road, and collided with the Toyota as it entered Pyott Road from Jennings Drive, to turn northbound.

David Redman was cited for Failure to Yield from a Stop intersection and No Valid Driver’s License-expired.

Timothy Shaffer was cited for Improper Lane Usage. Traffic was diverted from the southbound lane for approximately 10 minutes.

Route 31 North of Route 176

At 4:19 PM, also April 13th, 2011, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments were dispatched to the area of Illinois Route 31, south of Drake Drive, for a report of a three vehicle crash.

Emergency crews responded, assessed the participants, and determining none sustained any injuries.

Police investigated the crash, and determined that traffic had been stopped in the southbound lane due to a heavy volume of vehicles.

A southbound 2010 Jeep Wrangler, operated by Lisa Halwix (22) of Union, IL struck the rear of a stopped 2007 GMC Yukon, operated by Donna Giovanni (40) of Johnsburg, IL.

The Yukon then struck a 2008 GMC Savanna, operated by James Kozial (37) of Carpentersville, IL, which was stopped ahead in the same lane.

Lisa Halwix was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.

Traffic control was needed for approximately 30 minutes as crews investigated the incident, and vehicles were removed from the roadway.

The Leyden Township billboard tells "Johns" they could pay $2,150, if arrested for solicitation.

Going after the family vote, I suppose, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is conducting a highly publicized campaign against “Johns,” the customers of prostitutes.

It must be a bigger problem than in McHenry County.

The sign outside Suite 101 says, "The Healing Touch."

And, anyway the Illinois State Police raid on the massage parlor in the old Northwest Herald building next to Nick’s Pizza on Pyott Road was within the boundaries of Crystal Lake.

So, Sheriff Keith Nygren probably won’t follow Sheriff Dart’s billboard example.

But, State Police Colonel Rob Haley denied my Freedom of Information request for the police report on the arrest of Lan Rui He, age 31, who lived in an apartment on Darlington Lane, writing,

“The case is still being actively investigated and is an open investigation.  The requested information is withheld per the freedom act’s provisions regarding

• interference with pending or actually and reasonably contemplated law enforcement proceedings conducted by any law enforcement or correctional agency (5ILCS 140/7(1)(d)(i),
• obstruct an ongoing criminal investigation (5ILCS 140/7(1)(d)(vii),
• private information (5ILCS 140/7(1)(b), and
• create a substantial likelihood that a person will be deprived of a fair trail or an impartial hearing (5ILCS 140/7(1)(d)(iii).

He continues,

900 Pyott Road, Crystal Lake, where the prostitution arrest was made.

“Pursuant to ISP media guidelines, the following information is provided:

“The Illinois State Police North Central Narcotics Task Force arrested Lan Rue He, female, age 31, 5801 Darlington Lake,  Crystal Lake for Prostitution (11-14a Class A) on July 29, 2010 at 1:30 at 900 Pyott Road, Crystal Lake.  Bond is $1,000 ($100 cash – 10%).”

Sunday I went looking for the 900 Pyott Road address given in the Chicago Sun-Times article published last Friday, July 30th.

Google was no help.  Looked like an empty intersection.

A nearby place that appeared it might be the location was something of a gift shop which the owner said didn’t have anything like a massage parlor going “on the side.”

No East West Healing Touch.

With some expert guidance, I went looking again today.

And found the place.

900 Pyott Road, called Pyott Place.

It’s the old Northwest Herald office building. (Or maybe it was called the Crystal Lake Herald way back then.)

The location of the arrest is just south of Nick's Pizza.

Behind Nick’s Pizza on Pyott Road, just south of Virginia Street Road.

The list of tenants at 900 Pyott Place.

Nothing on the big sign listing tenants.

A press release has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo announcing an addition half million to improve Randall Road.

Patrick Engineering men were out surveying it today, probably just a coincidence.

Manzullo’s press release follows:

[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today announced he has secured another $570,000 to help fund the vital Rakow Road widening project that will help reduce severe traffic congestion for tens of thousands of motorists in southeast McHenry County.

The funding is included in the transportation appropriations bill, which Congress is scheduled to consider later this week. In 2005, Manzullo secured $5.72 million in the long-range federal transportation bill for the Rakow Road widening project.

“Rakow Road is a significant regional arterial road that carries tens of thousands of McHenry County residents to work and school each day,” Manzullo said.

“The widening project will double capacity on Rakow Road and reduce the significant congestion motorists experience each day.

“Reducing traffic congestion continues to be my number one priority for the people of McHenry County.”

The 3-mile-long widening project calls for widening the two-lane Rakow Road to six lanes from Ackman Road to Pyott Road and to four lanes from Pyott Road to Route 31. Up to 40,000 motorists currently travel Rakow Road each day and up to 60,000 are expected to travel the road by 2030.

McHenry County transportation officials are proceeding with Phase II engineering, which involves acquiring needed land and drawing contract plans for the project. Construction could begin in 2010.

In addition to Rakow Road, Manzullo has secured significant federal funding for the Western Bypass of Algonquin ($19 million) and the Route 47 widening project through Huntley ($6.7 million).

In addition, he worked with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barack Obama (D-IL), and the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation to secure an additional $6.2 billion in federal road funds in 2005 for the State of Illinois. Those federal funds have sat unused as the Governor and state legislative leaders have failed to agree on a capital plan.

= = = = =
Rakow Road will be widened to six lanes where the “S” curve now goes from four to two lanes. Beyond Pyott Road, the first light after the “S” curve–between the gravel pit lakes–will become four lanes. The bottom picture shows this road near Pingree Road. The head shot is of Congressman Don Manzullo.

A press release has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo announcing an addition half million to improve Randall Road.

Patrick Engineering men were out surveying it today, probably just a coincidence.

Manzullo’s press release follows:

[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today announced he has secured another $570,000 to help fund the vital Rakow Road widening project that will help reduce severe traffic congestion for tens of thousands of motorists in southeast McHenry County.

The funding is included in the transportation appropriations bill, which Congress is scheduled to consider later this week. In 2005, Manzullo secured $5.72 million in the long-range federal transportation bill for the Rakow Road widening project.

“Rakow Road is a significant regional arterial road that carries tens of thousands of McHenry County residents to work and school each day,” Manzullo said.

“The widening project will double capacity on Rakow Road and reduce the significant congestion motorists experience each day.

“Reducing traffic congestion continues to be my number one priority for the people of McHenry County.”

The 3-mile-long widening project calls for widening the two-lane Rakow Road to six lanes from Ackman Road to Pyott Road and to four lanes from Pyott Road to Route 31. Up to 40,000 motorists currently travel Rakow Road each day and up to 60,000 are expected to travel the road by 2030.

McHenry County transportation officials are proceeding with Phase II engineering, which involves acquiring needed land and drawing contract plans for the project. Construction could begin in 2010.

In addition to Rakow Road, Manzullo has secured significant federal funding for the Western Bypass of Algonquin ($19 million) and the Route 47 widening project through Huntley ($6.7 million).

In addition, he worked with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barack Obama (D-IL), and the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation to secure an additional $6.2 billion in federal road funds in 2005 for the State of Illinois. Those federal funds have sat unused as the Governor and state legislative leaders have failed to agree on a capital plan.

= = = = =
Rakow Road will be widened to six lanes where the “S” curve now goes from four to two lanes. Beyond Pyott Road, the first light after the “S” curve–between the gravel pit lakes–will become four lanes. The bottom picture shows this road near Pingree Road. The head shot is of Congressman Don Manzullo.