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December 28, 2025
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Crystal Lake Commission Approves Zoning Change for New 179-Home Subdivision: A city commission in Crystal Lake has approved a zoning change for a 63-acre parcel at 275 S. Main Street, moving forward plans for a subdivision of 179 single-family homes by Atlanta-based Pulte Homes. The site, initially designated for an Amazon Distribution Center in 2021, will instead feature new homes with variable lot sizes, as well as public green spaces and parks. The planned development aims to utilize the area for residential growth following the cancellation of the previous warehouse project. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Dec 28)
December 14, 2025
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Developer Proposes 178 Single-Family Homes on Former Warehouse Site in Crystal Lake: Pulte Homes, a developer headquartered in Atlanta, has announced plans to construct 178 single-family residences on a 63-acre parcel at 275 S. Main Street in Crystal Lake. The land was previously approved as the future site of an Amazon distribution center, though the company abandoned those plans in 2021. Home sizes will range from 1,600 to 3,800 square feet, and the design includes green spaces, community parks, and sidewalks. The project replaces what was once envisioned as a major commercial facility. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Dec 14)
December 11, 2025
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Injured Deer on Icy Crystal Lake Dies Despite Rescue Efforts by Firefighters: Emergency personnel in Crystal Lake responded to reports of an injured deer stranded on the ice near Oak Court and South Crandall Avenue on Tuesday morning. Despite prompt efforts from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Park District Police, the deer did not survive. McHenry County Animal Control was also notified about the incident. Officials highlighted the need for specialized training in such rescue situations. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Dec 11)
December 7, 2025
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Altercation in Waukegan Parking Garage Leads to Stabbing After Robbery Attempt: A man was attacked and robbed of his backpack in a parking garage near 120 North County Street in downtown Waukegan, Illinois on November 4. During the altercation, the victim reportedly defended himself by stabbing the suspect multiple times. Police responded to the scene, which is adjacent to the Lake County Courthouse, after receiving reports of a stabbing late at night. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Dec 7)
November 25, 2025
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Man Charged After Road Rage Shooting and Search in Cary: Christopher Bolton, 24, of Streamwood, faces felony charges after allegedly firing multiple shots during a road rage incident in Cary on March 23, 2024. The altercation, which occurred near Cary-Algonquin Road and Harper Avenue, resulted in a crash and led to an extensive police search. Bolton is charged with aggravated assault and reckless discharge of a firearm related to the event. The arrest followed an investigation by the Cary Police Department. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 25)
November 20, 2025
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Former Crystal Lake City Clerk Sentenced to Five Years for Child Exploitation Crimes: Nicholas S. Kachiroubas, a former city clerk of Crystal Lake, received a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to child exploitation offenses, including possession of illegal material and online grooming of minors. The case originated in March 2024 following an investigation prompted by reports of online extortion and corroborated by evidence from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Law enforcement linked Kachiroubas to illicit activity involving minors via Snapchat. He will serve his sentence as ordered by a local judge. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 20)
November 15, 2025
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Elderly Driver Uninjured After Car Crashes Into Porch of Crystal Lake Home: Emergency responders assisted at the 900 block of Ruby May Lane in Crystal Lake after an elderly driver accidentally backed a sedan into a neighboring manufactured home late Thursday morning. Police and fire crews found the car with moderate rear-end damage but confirmed there were no injuries reported from the incident. The situation resulted from the vehicle reversing out of a private driveway and striking the home across the street. Authorities completed their investigation without reporting further hazards or impacts. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 15)
November 14, 2025
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Wonder Lake Man Arrested for Domestic Battery Year After Previous Acquittal: Charles C. Gozzola, a 51-year-old resident of Wonder Lake, was arrested this week on allegations of striking his wife during a domestic dispute at their home. Gozzola, who was acquitted of a similar charge in Crystal Lake the previous year and had a prior murder conviction, is now facing two counts of domestic battery. Authorities reported that the victim sustained visible injuries to her eye during the incident. Gozzola was taken into custody by Wonder Lake police and held in McHenry County Jail. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 14)
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Former Crystal Lake Clerk Admits Guilt in Child Sexual Abuse Material Case: Nicholas S. Kachiroubas, a former city clerk from Crystal Lake, pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material, following an investigation by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office that began in April 2024. Authorities initiated the probe after receiving information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that pointed to online activities involving child enticement. Kachiroubas was also accused of using electronic means to groom children. The case underscores ongoing efforts to address online exploitation in the region. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 14)
October 29, 2025
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SWAT Team Responds to Armed Standoff Following Mental Health Call Near Crystal Lake: Authorities in unincorporated Crystal Lake deployed a SWAT team to the 7200 block of Manor Road after deputies encountered a man reportedly armed and threatening to provoke a deadly police response late Wednesday night. The situation began when a call for a well-being check was made due to troubling messages from the man, who has a documented history of mental illness. Law enforcement found the individual wearing a bulletproof vest and in possession of a firearm. The standoff prompted a significant police presence as officers ensured public safety. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 18)
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SUV Crash in Lakemoor Sparks Fire at Industrial Building; No Serious Injuries Report: Emergency crews responded to 431 Scotland Road in Lakemoor after an SUV struck a gas meter and crashed into an industrial building, igniting both the vehicle and the structure. The incident, which occurred Tuesday afternoon, prompted a multi-department fire response. The driver and building workers, (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 22)
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Mother and child unharmed after semi-truck crash near Crystal Lake: A semi-truck collided with an SUV at the intersection of Hillside Road and Walkup Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake, pinning the SUV against a traffic light pole. Emergency crews responded Monday morning, and both the mother and child in the SUV were not injured. The intersection was partially and (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 30)
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‘Dream can finally come true’: Crystal Lake father of 5 wins over $500,000…: Crystal Lake resident Matthew claims his $550,000 Lucky Day Lotto jackpot win and plans a long-awaited family beach vacation with the winnings. | Provided Photo A Crystal Lake man and father of five won over $500,000 playing the Illinois Lottery and he says he will finally be able to take his family on a vacation to the beach. Crystal Lake resident Matthew, who did not wish to publicly say his full name, casually began playing the Illinois Lottery’s “iLottery” from home. The play became a winning moment for Matthew, a father of five who won a $550,000 Lucky Day Lotto jackpot. Matthew purchased the winning Quick Pick ticket via the Illinois Lottery app and matched all five numbers — 2-6-16-24-39 — in the Lucky Day Lotto evening drawing on September 10. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was just at home, staring at the draw results on the app,” he said. “It took a few minutes to sink in that I’d actually won!” His first call after discovering the win was to his wife. “The moment I realized, I couldn’t wait to tell her,” he said. “There was a long pause, then she gasped so loud I thought she’d drop the phone! Her first words were, ‘Are you serious?!'” Matthew said the jackpot is more than just a lucky break — it is an opportunity to invest in his family’s future. “First and foremost, this is for our kids — to give them every opportunity to thrive,” he said. “We’ve always dreamed of a warm family vacation by the ocean, and now that dream can finally come true,” he added. The Lucky Day Lotto is an Illinois-only draw game with two daily drawings at 12:40 p.m. and 9:22 p.m., with jackpots starting at $100,000. The Illinois Lottery was founded in 1974 and has contributed over $25 billion to the state’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 2)
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Man flown to hospital in critical condition after being struck by car while…: Emergency crews respond to a crash involving a car and a bicycle that critically injured the bicyclist on Silver Lake Road south of Crystal Lake Road in unincorporated Cary Tuesday evening. | Photo: CFPD A man was flown to the hospital in critical condition after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle near Cary Tuesday evening, fire officials said. The Cary Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday to the 6500 block of Silver Lake Road in unincorporated Cary for a report of a vehicle crash. Firefighters and paramedics arrived and located an adult male lying in the roadway, according to Cary Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha. The man had been riding his bicycle when he was involved in a collision with a small sedan. The victim had suffered critical injuries and lifesaving measures were initiated at the scene, Vucha said. A LifeNet medical helicopter was requested and landed at the helipad at Mercyhealth Hospital in Crystal Lake. Emergency crews respond to a crash involving a car and a bicycle that critically injured the bicyclist on Silver Lake Road south of Crystal Lake Road in unincorporated Cary Tuesday evening. | Photo: CFPD An ambulance transported him to the helipad and he was transferred to the flight crew. Vucha said the man was then airlifted to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, which is a Level 1 trauma center, for further treatment. The driver of the sedan was not injured in the crash and they declined transport to the hospital. Silver Lake Road was shut down in both directions from Killarney Drive to Walnut Drive to allow emergency personnel to work safely and to accommodate the law enforcement investigation. The roadway was reopened around 10:20 p.m., over four hours after the crash, the sheriff’s office said. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and the agency has not released further details on the cause of the crash. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 8)
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Coroner identifies newlywed couple found fatally shot in car stopped in roadway…: Rachel Dumovich, 29, and Brandon Dumovich, 30, both of Sharon, Wisconsin, were found dead in a car at Division Street and Burbank Street in Harvard late Monday evening after being shot. | Photo via Facebook The coroner has identified a newlywed couple who were found dead in a car stopped in the roadway and police say both were shot in Harvard Monday evening. Harvard Police Chief Tyson Bauman said an officer with the Harvard Police Department was on patrol around 11:52 p.m. Monday. The officer spotted a parked vehicle in the 700 block of Division Street, also known as Route 14. The car had its hazard lights activated and was stopped in the northbound lane near Burbank Street, Bauman said. The officer approached to investigate what they believed to be a motorist assist. Bauman said the officer discovered that a female driver and a male passenger were both dead inside the car. Rachel Dumovich, 29, and Brandon Dumovich, 30, both of Sharon, Wisconsin, were found dead in a car at Division Street and Burbank Street in Harvard late Monday evening after being shot. | Photo: The Knot The Harvard Fire Protection District was dispatched to the scene and it was relayed that one of the subjects had possibly shot themselves and was still in possession of a gun. McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein identified them on Wednesday as Rachel Dumovich, 29, and Brandon Dumovich, 30, both of Sharon, Wisconsin. A preliminary investigation indicates that Rachel Dumovich and Brandon Dumovich suffered a gunshot wound, Bauman said. A firearm was recovered inside the car. The McHenry County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to take possession of both subjects for autopsies. Rein said autopsies have been scheduled on Rachel Dumovich and Brandon Dumovich for Thursday. The McHenry County Major Investigative Assistance Team (MIAT), which is comprised of over a dozen investigators from law enforcement agencies, as well as the coroner’s office and state’s attorney’s office, was activated to respond. Route 14 was shut down between Diggins Street, also known as Route 173, and McKinley Street to pedestrian and vehicle traffic, Bauman said. Rachel Dumovich, 29, and Brandon Dumovich, 30, both of Sharon, Wisconsin, were found dead in a car at Division Street and Burbank Street in Harvard late Monday evening after being shot. | Photo via Facebook Motorists were asked to avoid the area and use alternate routes as MIAT conducted an investigation. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said in an alert that heavy police activity was in the area due to the incident. An alert from the Harvard Police Department told residents to “use caution, remain sheltered and avoid the area” and a subsequent alert said the activity concluded around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Bauman said that while “murder-suicide” is a potential scenario, no final determination has been made and the case remains under active investigation. Rachel Dumovich and Brandon Dumovich got married less than a year ago on October 12. A wedding event site said the couple met in middle school at 12 years old. “I caught Brandon’s attention by stealing cologne from his locker and running away with it. After keeping in touch through many life stages and 15 years of friendship, we started dating in 2022,” Rachel Dumovich said on the site. The couple is originally from Crystal Lake. Anyone with information is asked to call the Harvard Police Department at 815-943-4431 or anonymously call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 815-943-4343 or email them at crimestoppers@cityofharvard.org. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 8)
October 27, 2025
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Four Hospitalized Following Multi-Vehicle Crash on Route 31 in Prairie Grove: Four individuals were hospitalized after a car collided with a village tractor and then struck a pickup truck head-on on Route 31 in Prairie Grove, near Crystal Lake. Emergency responders from Prairie Grove Police, Nunda Rural Fire Protection District, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, and Crystal Lake Fire Rescue were dispatched to the scene Tuesday morning. Authorities report that the incident began when a car struck a tractor performing roadside maintenance and then veered into oncoming traffic. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 19)
October 19, 2025
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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)
October 16, 2025
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Funeral Arrangements Announced for Navy Veteran Found Deceased in Woodstock Home: Authorities are investigating the death of John Casciaro, a 64-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, who was found dead in his Woodstock residence on Bull Valley Drive. Emergency responders were called to the scene for a medical emergency, and police are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding his (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 16)
October 9, 2025
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Crystal Lake Police Seek Two Suspects in Armed Bicycle Robbery Near Local Church: Authorities in Crystal Lake are looking for two men accused of robbing a 50-year-old man at knifepoint and taking his bicycle near Immanuel Lutheran Church and School on Pathway Court. The incident occurred Wednesday evening, and police are asking for information to help identify the suspects. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 9)
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Bicyclist Critically Injured in Collision With Car Near Cary: A 69-year-old man was airlifted to the hospital after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle on Silver Lake Road near Killarney Drive in unincorporated Cary. Authorities report the bicyclist entered the roadway and failed to yield, leading to the crash. Emergency services responded Tuesday. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 9)
October 4, 2025
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Crystal Lake Central student detained after social media video prompts investigation: Authorities in Crystal Lake detained a Central High School student and began an investigation after a video surfaced on social media showing the juvenile holding what appeared to be a rifle and ammunition magazine. The incident was reported during a school football game, and officials determined the (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 4)
October 3, 2025
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Crystal Lake resident receives 14-year sentence for arson involving occupied home: A Garden Prairie woman was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of arson for setting fire to a house on North Main Street in Crystal Lake while a resident was inside. The incident, which occurred in April 2025, involved another suspect and resulted in damage to the home. Authorities (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 3)
October 2, 2025
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Crystal Lake resident sentenced to nearly five years for $8 million Ponzi scheme: A 61-year-old man from Crystal Lake received a sentence of almost five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud. The case involved misappropriating over $8 million through a Ponzi scheme. The defendant also admitted to filing false bankruptcy documents. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 2)
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Crystal Lake Police Chief Addresses Incident Involving Lost Rifle at Public Library: The Crystal Lake Police Chief released a statement regarding an incident where a felon hid a misplaced police employee's rifle in bushes near the Crystal Lake Public Library, which is adjacent to a school. The rifle was lost after being inadvertently transported in a vehicle. The department had to, (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 2)
September 29, 2025
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Crystal Lake man charged after rifle found near library and school: A 50-year-old Oakwood Hills resident was arrested in Crystal Lake after allegedly possessing an AR-15 rifle and leaving it in bushes near the Crystal Lake Public Library, which is adjacent to an elementary school. The individual faces multiple firearm-related charges, including possession by a felon (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 29)
September 27, 2025
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Crystal Lake Park District Board Increases Security at Meetings: The Crystal Lake Park District Board president has begun wearing a bulletproof vest and implemented additional security measures, including police presence and metal detector screenings, at board meetings. Attendees are advised to arrive early and limit bags to facilitate the new safety protocols at (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 27)
September 13, 2025
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Single-vehicle rollover crash on Route 12 near Wauconda injures driver: A 59-year-old man from Crystal Lake was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after his car rolled over on Route 12 north of Old McHenry Road in unincorporated Wauconda. Emergency responders extricated him from the vehicle after he reportedly lost consciousness while driving. No other cars (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 13)