Lake Zurich Courier

About 55 percent of Ela residents see hike

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:54:54 -0500

Knowing she has a fixed income and dwindling investments, Roswitha Hammack used last year’s tax bill to try and plan for this year. Even with her planning, the Hawthorn Woods resident was shocked when she opened her most recent bill. “My tax bill went up by (almost) $900 even though my assessed value went down,” Hammack said, adding she’ll have to take the money from her savings. Last year, Hammack’s bill was about $13,500. This year, she owes $14,400, noting her bill would be even higher if she didn’t receive a senior discount. “If I weren’t a senior, this tax …

Pro Football: Lake Zurich’s Blanchard signs with Chicago Bears

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:40:47 -0500

Matt Blanchard made the most of this opportunity. The Lake Zurich High School graduate participated in the Bears rookie minicamp this weekend — and he went home with paper. According to the Chicago Bears website, the 6-foot-3 Blanchard, who starred at quarterback for Division III national champ UW-Whitewater, signed a three-year deal with Chicago on Sunday. He was one of seven players offered a contract. Blanchard had a stellar two seasons with Whitewater. In 25 games with the Warhawks, he threw 44 touchdown passes. The all-conference selection didn’t make a lot of miscues. He was intercepted only six times during …

Lake Zurich selects First Energy

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:50:28 -0500

Lake Zurich has selected First Energy as its new electricity supplier. Several municipalities worked with Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) to go out for bid. After reviewing the bids, Lake Zurich selected First Energy for a two-year agreement at a rate of 4.75 cents per kilowatt hour. ComEd’s current rate is 7.73 cents per kilowatt hour, scheduled to increase to 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour on July 1. First Energy has guaranteed it will match the ComEd rate if that rate falls below the First Energy rate during the term of the agreement. “We are very pleased to get …

Police blotter for May 14

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:11:33 -0500

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of the Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods and Kildeer police departments. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination. Lake Zurich WARRANT ARREST Alora J. Underwood, 20, 28600 Grass Lake Road, No. 2A, Spring Grove, was arrested May 10 on a warrant issued for aggravated battery after being stopped amd charged with failing to wear a safety belt. Underwood was taken into custody near the intersection of Route 12 and June Terrace. Underwood was held at the Lake …

Kite Fly combines with event

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:14:01 -0500

Pat Winkelman was beaming at the Barrington Area Kid Fest Saturday morning as over 300 kids and parents came out to Citizens Park to play outside despite the initially damp weather. As Co-Founder of Barrington and Lake Zurich areas’ Leave No Child Inside initiative and Youth Education Chair at the Citizens for Conservation, Winkelman was happy about Saturday morning’s turnout. “Research has shown that spending time outside—even just spending time outside under a tree with a book—increases your creativity and your concentration,” Winkelman said. “They’ve found that test scores have increased and ADHD has improved, and so I think we …

Girls getting ready for the big night May 19

Thu, 10 May 2012 04:50:50 -0500

High school girls are fitted for and shop for prom dresses at Volle’s Bridal & Boutique in Lake Zurich. The Prom is May 19. …

The end of football as we know it?

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:14:53 -0500

With the tragic suicide of football great Junior Seau last week, could we be witnessing the beginning of the end of football as we know it?