A marina employee rescued a victim who fell through the ice into the water on Lake Michigan in Winthrop Harbor Tuesday morning, fire officials said. The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department responded around 9:50 a.m. Tuesday to North Point Marina, 701 North Point Drive, for a report of a surface ice rescue. Firefighters quickly donned their […]

Sam Borcia
Sam Borcia is the CEO and Publisher of Lake and McHenry County Scanner based in Libertyville, Illinois. His focus is reporting on local news covering crime, government, traffic and more around Lake County, Illinois and McHenry County, Illinois. Sam founded Lake and McHenry County Scanner in January 2012 and has extensive experience covering news. His reporting has garnered coverage by major national and international outlets. He graduated from DePaul University in Chicago. You can get in touch with Sam by emailing [email protected].
Year in jail for man convicted of DUI crash in McHenry County after previously killing young woman in drunken boating crash
A 69-year-old man who killed a 21-year-old woman in 2008 in a drunken boating crash in Wonder Lake was sentenced to a year in jail for a new drunken driving crash in McHenry County. Ricky L. McGuire, 69, of Wonder Lake, was charged in December 2022 with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence […]
Investigation underway after recording devices placed in restrooms at schools in Highland Park
Officials say an investigation is underway and a student has been identified as a suspect after recording devices were placed in restrooms at two schools in Highland Park. The City of Highland Park, North Shore School District 112 and Township High School District 113 said in a joint statement Tuesday they were working together in […]
Coroner identifies 24-year-old man who died after shooting that left car, home struck by gunfire in Beach Park
The coroner has released the identity of a 24-year-old man who died after he was wounded in a shooting that left a car and a home struck by gunfire in Beach Park Sunday afternoon. An autopsy performed on Monday showed Tavontee Fox, 24, of Waukegan, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, according to […]
Missing elderly man located by police officers in Wauconda, rushed to hospital in serious condition
An elderly man who went missing last evening was found unconscious and rushed to the hospital in serious condition after he was located by officers in Wauconda Tuesday morning. The Wauconda Police Department responded around 5:08 a.m. Tuesday to the 300 block of Larkdale Row for a report of a missing person. Wauconda Police Department […]
Murder charges filed against 1 of 3 suspects after restaurant owner fatally stabbed in Waukegan
Murder charges have been filed against one of three suspects after prosecutors say a 16-year-old boy stabbed a restaurant owner to death during a gender reveal party in Waukegan. The Waukegan Police Department and Waukegan Fire Department responded around 11:30 p.m. Saturday to 41 14 Forty One Fourteen Steaks and Seafood, 2120 North Green Bay […]
Pedestrian gate installation set for next month at railroad crossing in Barrington following death of student
Crews are set to begin installation of pedestrian gates next month at a railroad crossing in Barrington near where a 17-year-old girl was killed by a train while walking to Barrington High School. The Canadian National Railway (CN) announced last year that it was going to install pedestrian gates at the Main Street crossing just […]
Suspect armed with machete physically restrains clerk during robbery at Mundelein convenience store
A suspect is facing a slew of charges, including kidnapping, after prosecutors say he was armed with a machete and tied up a clerk during a robbery at a store in Mundelein. Lexarez L. Beles, 43, of Highwood, was charged with armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping while armed, aggravated kidnapping while concealing identity and aggravated unlawful […]
Cat found alive after fire damages 3 homes, prompts large fire department response in Wonder Lake
A cat was found alive hiding inside a home that caught on fire and resulted in two other homes being damaged in Wonder Lake Sunday afternoon, fire officials said. The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District responded around 1:25 p.m. Sunday to the 8400 block of Shady Lane in Wonder Lake for a report of a […]