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January 2, 2026
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Lake Villa Family Displaced After Major Fire Destroys Home on Red Cedar Road: A significant house fire broke out late New Year's Eve in the 400 block of Red Cedar Road in Lake Villa, leaving a family of five and an unborn child without a home. The Lake Villa Fire Protection District responded at approximately 10:44 p.m., with additional support from nearby departments after heavy flames engulfed the second floor. No injuries were reported, but the home was rendered uninhabitable. Multiple departments responded to control the extensive blaze. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Jan 2)
December 30, 2025
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Fire in Gurnee Townhome Leads to Family Displacement and Dog Rescue: Firefighters responded to a chimney fire that spread through a townhome on the 900 block of Clark Drive in Gurnee Monday afternoon. Crews from Gurnee, Grayslake, and Newport Township worked together to control the blaze, successfully rescuing a dog from inside the home. The fire left the residence uninhabitable and displaced the family. Emergency services ensured all occupants were safe before extinguishing the fire. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Dec 30)
December 17, 2025
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Sick Sandhill Crane Rescued After Nine-Day Effort in Lake County: After a prolonged nine-day rescue operation, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation successfully captured a sick sandhill crane in Lake County. The rescue began after a report on December 4 about the bird, which had been seen near Prairieview School in Hainesville. Despite several attempts and adverse conditions, the organization persisted until the crane was finally secured in critical condition. Flint Creek Wildlife is providing care for the injured bird at its Barrington facility. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Dec 17)
December 8, 2025
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Homeowner Injured and Dog Rescued After Garage Fire Near Spring Grove: A fire broke out Sunday afternoon in the 6300 block of North Shore Avenue in unincorporated Spring Grove, destroying a detached two-car garage and causing damage to a nearby home. The homeowner was injured during the incident and required hospital treatment. Neighbors assisted the homeowner in rescuing a dog from the affected residence. Multiple area fire departments responded quickly to bring the blaze under control and prevent further damage. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Dec 8)
November 27, 2025
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Grayslake Couple Charged After Fatal Stabbing During Attempted Robbery in Waukegan: A husband and wife from Grayslake face charges following an attempted armed robbery in Waukegan that ended with their accomplice's death. Authorities say Joseph P. Crago, 35, and Carrie E. Crago allegedly lured two victims as part of a planned crime on May 4, 2025. The incident resulted in the fatal stabbing of Adam Hoth, 42, also from Grayslake, after an altercation during the robbery attempt. Both suspects have been charged with attempted armed robbery and attempted robbery. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 27)
November 26, 2025
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Firefighters Respond to House Fire with Live Ammunition Near Antioch: On Tuesday afternoon, firefighters in the Antioch area were called to a house fire on North Circle Drive. Upon arrival, crews encountered smoke, flames, and live ammunition discharging inside the single-story home. Despite the added hazard, no injuries were reported among firefighters or civilians, and no residents were present during the incident. Additional fire departments assisted due to limited water supply, ensuring the fire was brought under control safely. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 26)
November 20, 2025
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Elderly Woman Identified After Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Buffalo Grove: The Cook County Medical Examiner has identified King Shu Sun, 74, of Buffalo Grove, as the woman killed in a pedestrian accident earlier this month. She was struck by two vehicles while crossing Arlington Heights Road, south of Dundee Road, on November 5. Buffalo Grove police, along with Arlington Heights police and fire departments, responded to the scene. The investigation led to the temporary closure of the roadway near the Plaza Verde shopping area. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 20)
November 19, 2025
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Grayslake Intersection Crash Injures One, Causes Traffic Disruption: A two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Route 83 and Route 120 in Grayslake resulted in one person being hospitalized Thursday afternoon. The crash caused one of the vehicles to roll over, temporarily blocking the busy intersection and requiring a response from local police and fire departments. Emergency responders confirmed that no one was trapped, although two ambulances were dispatched to the scene. The intersection remained closed for a period while authorities managed the aftermath. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 19)
November 17, 2025
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Brush Fire Near McHenry Burns 15 Acres, Draws Large Multi-Agency Response: A wind-driven brush fire consumed roughly 15 acres on South Crystal Lake Road near McHenry on Sunday afternoon, prompting a response from over a dozen fire departments across Lake and McHenry counties. Firefighters arrived within minutes to find the blaze actively spreading behind a residence and barn, accelerated by strong west winds. The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System was activated to bolster resources needed for containment. The incident highlighted the challenges of coordinating wildfire responses in the area. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 17)
November 7, 2025
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Funeral Arrangements Set for Man Killed in Hainesville Train-Car Collision: A funeral service is planned for Pete Kostopoulos, a 51-year-old father of two from Elk Grove Village, who died after his car was struck by a Metra train in Hainesville last Thursday. Emergency responders from the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District and Metra Police attended the incident at Belvidere Road and Centre Drive shortly after noon. The collision disrupted service on the Milwaukee District North line. The investigation into the circumstances of the crash remains ongoing. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 3)
November 2, 2025
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Two Grayslake Men Held Pending Trial After Gunfire Strikes Homes and Vehicles: Two men, ages 19 and 18, are being held in Lake County Jail following their arrests on charges of firing guns at homes and vehicles in unincorporated Grayslake. Prosecutors have requested they remain detained until their trial, with both facing multiple firearm-related felony charges. Lake County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of gunfire on West Meander Drive early Saturday morning, where they discovered bullet holes in homes and a vehicle. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 2)
November 1, 2025
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Grayslake-Area Men Arrested for Firing at Homes and Vehicles After Shootings Reported: Lake County Sheriff's deputies arrested two young men after receiving reports of gunfire on West Meander Drive, near Grayslake. Investigators found bullet damage in one vehicle and two nearby homes but no injuries were reported. The suspects, both residents of unincorporated Grayslake, initially told investigators they were targeted by shooters in a passing vehicle. However, video evidence showed the men firing weapons in the area, leading to their arrest and pending charges. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 1)
October 31, 2025
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Coroner Identifies Victim in Fatal Metra Train and Vehicle Collision in Hainesville: Authorities in Lake County have identified Pete Kostopoulos, 51, of Elk Grove Village, as the man who died after his vehicle was struck by a Metra train on Thursday in Hainesville. Emergency crews responded to the scene near Belvidere Road and Centre Drive shortly after noon. An autopsy found that Kostopoulos died from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash. The incident involved only one vehicle, and officials continue to investigate the circumstances. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 31)
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Fire Renders Round Lake Heights Home Uninhabitable, No Injuries Reported: A fire broke out Wednesday afternoon in the 800 block of Tomahawk Trail in Round Lake Heights, causing extensive damage and leaving the home uninhabitable. Firefighters from the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded to reports of heavy smoke and flames at the two-story residence. All occupants safely evacuated before crews arrived, and no injuries were reported. The incident prompted an upgraded alarm to facilitate a greater emergency response. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 31)
October 29, 2025
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Medical Examiner Determines Cause of Death for Spring Grove Teen After Dental Procedure: Authorities have released a report on the death of Sophia Farmer, a 17-year-old from Spring Grove, who became unresponsive during a wisdom teeth removal at a Grayslake dental office on July 21, 2025. Emergency personnel responded and transported her first to Advocate Condell Medical Center, then to Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge. The Cook County Medical Examiner has ruled on the cause and manner of death. An official investigation into the incident remains ongoing. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 27)
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Inmates Sue After McHenry County Jail Transport Bus Crash Hospitalizes 19 in Hainesville: Several inmates have filed a lawsuit in McHenry County Circuit Court following a crash involving a prisoner transport bus and a Chevrolet SUV in Hainesville on September 4, 2024. The incident at the intersection of Route 120 and Hainesville Road resulted in 19 people being hospitalized, including the bus driver. The bus had been transporting inmates from Lake County Jail to McHenry County Jail at the time of the collision. Legal proceedings will address injuries sustained during the crash. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 22)
October 27, 2025
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Candlelight Vigil Planned for Grayslake Teen Who Died After Motorcycle Accident: A candlelight vigil will be held to honor Nathan Levandowski, a 19-year-old former student-athlete from Lake Villa, following his death from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash in Grayslake. The incident occurred on October 9 near the Grayslake Golf Course, where emergency responders found him critically injured after a single-vehicle crash. He later died in the hospital as a result of blunt force injuries, according to the Lake County Coroner. Authorities have completed a crash reconstruction as part of the investigation. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 27)
October 24, 2025
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Round Lake Beach Native and Grayslake North Graduate Dies in Two-Vehicle Crash: A 25-year-old man originally from Round Lake Beach and a Grayslake North High School alumnus died after his vehicle was struck at an intersection near Maple Park. Emergency crews responded to the collision at Route 64 and East County Line Road on Monday morning. Authorities report he was driving a Mazda that was hit by a Chevrolet when he entered the intersection and did not yield. The crash is under investigation by local sheriff’s offices. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 24)
October 16, 2025
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Wauconda House Fire Displaces Residents and Causes Major Damage: A fire on Highland Avenue in Wauconda resulted in approximately $250,000 in damage to a single-story home and left its residents without housing. Firefighters from multiple departments responded quickly and were able to rescue a dog from the property. No injuries to residents were reported. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 16)
October 13, 2025
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Motorcyclist Critically Injured in Grayslake Crash Found Nearly 16 Hours Later: A 19-year-old man was located in critical condition after his motorcycle left the road near the Grayslake Golf Course. Authorities believe the crash occurred the previous afternoon, but the rider was not found until the following morning. Local police and fire crews responded to the scene and began (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 13)
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Former Student Receives Probation After Assault at College of Lake County: A former College of Lake County student from Wadsworth was sentenced to probation following a June 2023 incident at the Grayslake campus, where he removed a pride flag and assaulted two staff members. Prosecutors classified the attack as a hate crime. The incident occurred in an employee-only area,, (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 13)
October 10, 2025
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Suspect Arrested After Attempted Abduction of Teen Near Gurnee School: A Beach Park resident was taken into custody following an incident in which he allegedly tried to lure a 15-year-old girl into his vehicle as she walked home from school near Grand Avenue and Estes Avenue in Gurnee. The event, which occurred on August 19, prompted a bystander to contact police, who, (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 10)
October 1, 2025
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Two arrested in Wauconda after retail thefts reported across multiple counties: Authorities in Wauconda apprehended two individuals Tuesday afternoon following a coordinated traffic stop on Route 12 near Bonner Road. The suspects are believed to be connected to a series of retail thefts at Walgreens stores in Lake, McHenry, Boone, Will, and Kane counties. Over $13,000 in stolen (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 1)
September 30, 2025
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Fire Causes Significant Damage to Storage Building and Garbage Enclosure in HainesvlI: A fire on Fairlawn Drive in Hainesville resulted in heavy damage to a storage building and a garbage enclosure Monday evening. Firefighters from the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded quickly and contained the blaze within 15 minutes. No injuries were reported. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 30)
September 28, 2025
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Fire Heavily Damages Home on Dunham Road in Gurnee, Residents Displaced: A house fire on the 600 block of Dunham Road in Gurnee resulted in significant damage Saturday evening, leaving the residence uninhabitable. Emergency crews responded after a passerby reported the fire. The blaze, which began in a second-floor office, was contained by firefighters, but the home was, (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 28)
September 16, 2025
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Grayslake Resident Charged in Federal Healthcare Fraud Case Involving $17 Million in: A 39-year-old Grayslake man faces federal charges for allegedly creating fake healthcare businesses and submitting over $17 million in fraudulent insurance claims. Authorities say the scheme resulted in at least $1.4 million in improper payments for services that were never delivered. The indictment (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 16)