Latest News

April 7, 2026

1. Two Injured in Barrington House Fire After Firefighters Rescue Trapped Occupant: Firefighters and police responded early Tuesday morning to a significant house fire on the 300 block of West Russell Street in Barrington. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from a single-story home. Responders rescued an occupant who was trapped inside, resulting in one individual being hospitalized and another suffering injuries. The fire caused major damage to the residence before being brought under control. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Apr 7)

   Lake County Barrington, IL +10 Inverness, IL Palatine, IL Cary, IL Wauconda, IL Wheeling, IL

March 14, 2026

1. Multiple Inmates Injured and Charged After Altercation at Lake County Jail: A fight involving almost a dozen inmates occurred at the Lake County Jail in Waukegan on January 31, resulting in several injuries among those involved. Corrections officers intervened to break up the altercation, with no reports of injuries among staff. Several inmates suffered cuts, bruises, and one sustained a broken nose. All participants in the incident face battery charges and have been moved to maximum-security housing. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Mar 14)

   Lake County Waukegan, IL +5 Wheeling, IL Zion, IL

March 7, 2026

1. Aviation Community in Deerfield Remembers Pilot Lost in Fatal Plane Crash: The aviation community is mourning Chester Wojnicki, a 75-year-old Mount Prospect resident and former president of the American Polish Aero Club Chicago, who died when his plane crashed into a townhouse and yard in unincorporated Deerfield. The incident occurred Wednesday evening on the 800 block of Swallow Street. Wojnicki was also recognized for his volunteer work with the Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol. Friends recall him for his generosity and mechanical skills. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Mar 7)

   Lake County Deerfield, IL +6 Chicago, IL Wheeling, IL Madison, IL Lincolnshire, IL Riverwoods, IL

March 5, 2026

1. Pilot Dies After Small Plane Crashes Into Deerfield Townhome During Landing Attempt: A pilot lost their life when a small aircraft crashed into both a townhome and a backyard on Swallow Street in unincorporated Deerfield on Wednesday evening. Emergency personnel from several fire departments and the Lake County Sheriff's Office responded following multiple 911 calls reporting the incident. The crash occurred as the plane was approaching Chicago Executive Airport for landing. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Mar 5)

   Lake County Deerfield, IL +2 Wheeling, IL Madison, IL

2. Aviation Club President Dies in Deerfield Plane Crash Into Townhome and Yard: Chester Wojnicki, president of the American Polish Aero Club Chicago, was identified as the pilot who died after his plane crashed into a townhome and backyard on Swallow Street in unincorporated Deerfield on Wednesday night. Emergency responders from several local departments arrived following multiple 911 calls reporting the incident. An autopsy revealed that Wojnicki, age 75 and from Mount Prospect, died from blunt force injuries. The crash caused significant damage to the property but no other casualties were reported. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Mar 5)

   Lake County Deerfield, IL +5 Wheeling, IL Chicago, IL Madison, IL

December 4, 2025

1. Barrington Hills Home Rendered Uninhabitable by Kitchen Fire, Residents Displaced: A house on Old Sutton Road in Barrington Hills was left uninhabitable after a kitchen fire Tuesday evening, drawing assistance from nine area fire departments. Firefighters responded around 7:30 p.m. and found smoke coming from the single-story home before confirming active fire on the first floor. The incident prompted a Code 4 response, with crews working together to control and extinguish the blaze. Residents were displaced as a result, with damage leaving the home unsafe for occupancy. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Dec 4)

   Lake County Barrington Hills, IL +8 Barrington, IL Inverness, IL Wheeling, IL

November 26, 2025

1. High Winds Impact Lake and McHenry Counties as Snow is Forecast for the Weekend: Lake and McHenry counties are experiencing strong westerly winds as the National Weather Service monitors potentially hazardous weather conditions. Wind gusts have exceeded 50 mph in some areas, causing concerns ahead of the holiday weekend. Temperatures are expected to become significantly colder, with wind chills possibly reaching seven degrees below zero on Thursday. Snow is forecast to begin late Friday and continue through Saturday night, though exact accumulation remains uncertain. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 26)

   Lake County Rockford, IL +4 Waukegan, IL Wheeling, IL Chicago, IL

November 17, 2025

1. Barrington Hills Barn Destroyed in Multi-Agency Fire Response on West Dundee Road: A large multi-story barn on the 100 block of West Dundee Road in Barrington Hills was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday afternoon. The blaze drew firefighters from several departments, who arrived within minutes to find the structure already fully involved. The barn, confirmed unoccupied at the time, was declared a total loss. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and no injuries have been reported. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Nov 17)

   Lake County Barrington Hills, IL +10 Barrington, IL Inverness, IL Cary, IL Wheeling, IL

October 29, 2025

1. Elderly Pedestrian Critically Injured in Buffalo Grove Vehicle Collision: An 80-year-old woman sustained life-threatening injuries after being struck by an SUV while walking near Dundee Road and Lake Boulevard in Buffalo Grove. Emergency responders transported her to the hospital, and local authorities are investigating the incident. (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Oct 10)

   Lake County Buffalo Grove, IL +2 Wheeling, IL Park Ridge, IL

September 26, 2025

1. Funeral Arrangements Announced for Teen Killed in Buffalo Grove Motorcycle Crash: Funeral services are scheduled for an 18-year-old Wheeling resident who died after a motorcycle and pickup truck collided on Buffalo Grove Road near University Drive. The incident occurred on September 19, with local police and fire departments responding. The Cook County Medical Examiner identified (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 26)

   Lake County Buffalo Grove, IL +3 Arlington Heights, IL Wheeling, IL Hanover Park, IL

September 20, 2025

1. Teen Motorcyclist Identified After Fatal Collision in Buffalo Grove: An 18-year-old from Wheeling was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office following a fatal crash involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck in Buffalo Grove. The incident occurred Friday evening near Buffalo Grove Road and Flentie Lane. Emergency responders found the motorcyclist unun (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 20)

   Lake County Buffalo Grove, IL +2 Arlington Heights, IL Wheeling, IL

September 15, 2025

1. Three Charged in Series of Burglaries Targeting Lake County and Chicagoland Area: Three individuals face felony charges after authorities allege they participated in a burglary ring responsible for stealing over $500,000 from businesses across Lake, DuPage, Cook, and Will counties. The group reportedly targeted establishments such as bars, gas stations, and gaming parlors, with a (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 15)

   Lake County North Chicago, IL +14 Island Lake, IL Melrose Park, IL Wheeling, IL Oak Forest, IL Addison, IL Joliet, IL Chicago Ridge, IL Palos Hills, IL Mokena, IL Tinley Park, IL Oakbrook Terrace, IL Lemont, IL River Grove, IL Chicago, IL

September 13, 2025

1. Wheeling Man Arrested in Vernon Hills Scam Targeting Elderly Resident: Police in Vernon Hills have arrested a Wheeling resident after an elderly woman was defrauded of $27,000 by individuals posing as federal agents. The scam, which began in late July, involved fraudulent emails and phone calls that convinced the victim to deliver cash over two occasions. Authorities, (Source: Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sep 13)

   Lake County Vernon Hills, IL +1 Wheeling, IL