Latest News

April 12, 2026

1. Cause Determined for McHenry Fire That Injured Two, Destroyed Bakery and Pet Store: Investigators have identified the cause of a January fire that severely damaged a commercial building in downtown McHenry, Illinois. The blaze injured two individuals and destroyed Riverside Bake Shop and Reeses Barkery & Pawtique, resulting in $1.5 million in damages. The incident on North Riverside Drive drew a response from 30 fire departments across multiple counties. The findings offer clarity about the circumstances surrounding the event. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Apr 12)

   Lake County Mchenry, IL +29 Algonquin, IL Antioch, IL Bartlett, IL Carpentersville, IL Cary, IL Countryside, IL Elgin, IL Grayslake, IL Hampshire, IL Hebron, IL Huntley, IL Libertyville, IL Lincolnshire, IL Mundelein, IL Richmond, IL Wauconda, IL Woodstock, IL

April 11, 2026

1. Officers Rescue Wheelchair-Bound Resident from Crystal Lake House Fire: Four police officers in Crystal Lake responded swiftly to a structure fire on Cambridge Place on February 19, rescuing a wheelchair-bound resident along with another individual and a cat. The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and police arrived after reports that two residents were trapped inside the burning home. Police officers, arriving ahead of fire crews, entered the dangerous scene and evacuated the occupants before the fire rendered the house uninhabitable. Authorities acknowledged the officers’ decisive actions during the emergency. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Apr 11)

   Lake County Crystal Lake, IL +7 Algonquin, IL Huntley, IL Cary, IL Fox River Grove, IL Woodstock, IL Carpentersville, IL

April 10, 2026

1. District 300 Teacher Arrested After Multiple Battery Incidents at Crystal Lake Bar: A teacher from Algonquin-based District 300, Jason K. Katzbeck, 49, was arrested following several alleged assaults at Rookies Sports Bar & Grill in Crystal Lake. Authorities say Katzbeck struck one man in the face and torso, knocked down another man with a chest-bump, and pushed a third before allegedly kicking a responding police officer. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated battery in a public place, and disorderly conduct. The case is being handled in McHenry County Circuit Court. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Apr 10)

   Lake County Crystal Lake, IL +4 Algonquin, IL Carpentersville, IL Mchenry, IL

March 13, 2026

1. Crystal Lake House Fire Displaces Family of Four: A family of four lost their home after a fire heavily damaged their house on West Woodstock Street in Crystal Lake Thursday night. Responding units from several departments arrived around 10:01 p.m., finding flames coming from the rear exterior of the residence. The blaze caused extensive damage, rendering the property uninhabitable. Firefighters were able to bring the situation under control, but the family is now without a place to live. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Mar 13)

   Lake County Crystal Lake, IL +7 Algonquin, IL Cary, IL Huntley, IL Mchenry, IL Carpentersville, IL Woodstock, IL

March 5, 2026

1. Firefighters Prevent Major Damage in Lake in the Hills House Fire: Firefighters responded to a house fire on Walnut Drive in Lake in the Hills Tuesday afternoon, containing the blaze within minutes. The incident originated on the rear deck and was traced to improperly discarded smoking materials. Quick action by the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District prevented the fire from spreading into the residence, and the home remained safe for its occupants. No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Mar 5)

   Lake County Lake In The Hills, IL +4 Algonquin, IL Huntley, IL Barrington, IL Carpentersville, IL

February 5, 2026

1. Sprinkler System Limits Damage in Early Morning Fire at Crystal Lake Complex: An early morning fire at a multifamily residential complex on Ambassador Circle in Crystal Lake was contained thanks to an active sprinkler system and prompt fire department response. Firefighters arrived shortly after 1 a.m. to find smoke coming from a garage and successfully extinguished a small fire that had been kept in check by the building’s sprinklers. Damage was limited to one garage, preventing further destruction or injuries. Authorities credit the safety systems for minimizing loss in the incident. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Feb 5)

   Lake County Crystal Lake, IL +9 Algonquin, IL Cary, IL Huntley, IL Mchenry, IL Wauconda, IL Carpentersville, IL Woodstock, IL

January 19, 2026

1. Two Injured in Major Fire at Downtown McHenry Bakery and Pet Store: A significant fire broke out Sunday afternoon at a commercial property on North Riverside Drive in downtown McHenry, Illinois, impacting both Riverside Bake Shop and Reese’s Barkery & Pawtique. Emergency crews from 30 departments responded to the scene, where two people were reported injured. Firefighters worked extensively to control the blaze, which caused major damage to the businesses. This incident has had a profound effect on the local community. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Jan 19)

   Lake County Mchenry, IL +33 Kane, IL Algonquin, IL Antioch, IL Bartlett, IL Carpentersville, IL Cary, IL Countryside, IL Elgin, IL Grayslake, IL Hampshire, IL Hebron, IL Huntley, IL Libertyville, IL Lincolnshire, IL Mundelein, IL Richmond, IL Wauconda, IL Woodstock, IL

January 9, 2026

1. House Fire in Crystal Lake Displaces Residents and Injures One Person: A house fire in the 1400 block of Candlewood Drive in Crystal Lake on Thursday afternoon caused extensive damage, leaving the property uninhabitable and residents without a home. Multiple fire departments responded, and the incident required an upgrade to a mutual aid response. One individual sustained injuries in the blaze, which resulted in an estimated $100,000 in damage. The cause of the fire and further details about the displaced residents were not released. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Jan 9)

   Lake County Crystal Lake, IL +10 Algonquin, IL Cary, IL Huntley, IL Mchenry, IL Wauconda, IL Carpentersville, IL Marengo, IL West Dundee, IL Woodstock, IL

December 10, 2025

1. Live Power Lines Spark House Fire in Algonquin, Multiple Departments Respond: Early Wednesday morning, broken electrical lines fell across two yards, a house, and a car on the 800 block of Oceola Drive in Algonquin, setting a home ablaze. Firefighters from several departments responded after numerous 911 calls reported both a yard and a residence on fire. The situation required an upgraded response due to the live wires arcing over several properties. ComEd crews were called in to handle the hazardous power lines and ensure neighborhood safety. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Dec 10)

   Lake County Algonquin, IL +8 Barrington, IL Carpentersville, IL Cary, IL Elgin, IL Huntley, IL

November 27, 2025

1. No Injuries in Residential Fire on Apache Trail in Lake in the Hills: A minor fire occurred late Wednesday at a home under construction in Lake in the Hills, located on the 200 block of Apache Trail. Firefighters responded quickly, extinguishing the blaze without any reported injuries. After ensuring the fire had not spread, investigators began examining the scene to determine the cause. The origin of the fire and estimated damages have not yet been established, and multiple local agencies provided assistance. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 27)

   Lake County Lake In The Hills, IL +3 Algonquin, IL Huntley, IL Carpentersville, IL

October 26, 2025

1. Residents Displaced Following Early Morning Duplex Fire Near Algonquin: A fire caused significant damage to a two-story duplex in the 11000 block of Mohican Drive in unincorporated Algonquin early Sunday morning, displacing the occupants of both units. Multiple fire departments responded around 5:30 a.m. to address the blaze, which involved heavy flames visible from the second floor and the right side of the home. All residents managed to evacuate safely before crews arrived. The cause of the fire and extent of property damage remain under investigation. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 26)

   Lake County Algonquin, IL +9 Cary, IL Carpentersville, IL Huntley, IL Barrington, IL Elgin, IL Palatine, IL

October 19, 2025

1. High School Football Game in Carpentersville Delayed After Nearby Shooting: A varsity football game between Dundee-Crown High School and Prairie Ridge High School in Carpentersville was interrupted and the field evacuated Friday night due to a shooting near the Fox View Apartments, located adjacent to the school. Police reported that a vehicle was damaged by gunfire, but no (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 19)

   Lake County Carpentersville, IL +1 Crystal Lake, IL