Officials say wildfire smoke from Canada is filling the Chicagoland area and an air quality alert has been issued, with air quality levels over 300 in Lake County as people are being urged to limit outdoor time. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day for Thursday for the […]
Sam Borcia
Sam Borcia is the CEO and Publisher of Lake and McHenry County Scanner based in Gurnee, 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].
3 hospitalized after three-vehicle crash leaves 1 trapped, shuts down Route 31 near McHenry
Three people were hospitalized and one of them had to be extricated by firefighters after a multiple-vehicle crash completely shut down Route 31 near McHenry Wednesday afternoon. The Nunda Rural Fire Protection District and Cary Fire Protection District responded around 2:32 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Route 31 and Gracy Road in unincorporated McHenry […]
Over 3 years in federal prison for Winthrop Harbor man who threatened to ‘execute’ President Trump, burn down courthouse
AÂ Winthrop Harbor man has been sentenced to over three years in federal prison for threatening to “execute” U.S. President Donald Trump and to burn down the Lake County courthouse. Trent Schneider, 58, of Winthrop Harbor, was charged in November in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois with making a threat in interstate […]
Lake County sheriff’s deputy hospitalized after being trapped in crash caused by driver who ran light in Wauconda
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy had to be extricated by firefighters and was hospitalized after a driver ran a red light and T-boned his squad car in Wauconda early Wednesday morning. The Wauconda Police Department and Wauconda Fire District responded around 5:51 a.m. Wednesday to Route 176, also known as Liberty Street, and Main Street […]
Police arrest man accused of shooting gun at person, leaving car struck by gunfire in Buffalo Grove
An Arlington Heights man was arrested after police say he fired a gun in the direction of another person, striking the victim’s vehicle, at a condominium complex in Buffalo Grove Saturday morning. Ernie Dotson, 38, of Arlington Heights, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated domestic battery and unlawful possession of a firearm. […]
Investigation underway after fire significantly damages home, 2nd house fire breaks out across street near Marengo
A multi-agency investigation is underway after a home sustained significant damage in a fire near Marengo and a second house fire started across the street around the same time. The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 9:52 p.m. Monday to the 18000 block of Millstream Road in unincorporated […]
Alleged gunman charged with attempted murder after man shot during altercation at Scoop festival in Waukegan
Police have arrested and charged an alleged gunman with attempted murder after a man was shot during an altercation at the Scoop car festival in Waukegan Saturday, forcing the event to shut down. The shooting occurred around 6:50 p.m. Saturday in front of 20 South Genesee Street, near the intersection of Washington Street, in downtown […]
Jury finds veterinarian who worked at Cary animal hospital guilty of touching female employee’s buttocks in workplace
A jury convicted a veterinarian of touching and grabbing the buttocks of a female employee who worked under his supervision on separate occasions at a veterinary office in Cary. Duane Kimmey, 65, of Cary, was charged in August 2023 with one count of battery, a Class A misdemeanor, and later charged in January with two […]
Firefighter injured after fire causes damage, closes Thorntons gas station in McHenry
A Thorntons convenience store is temporarily closed after a fire broke out and left a firefighter injured in McHenry Tuesday afternoon, fire officials said. The McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thorntons, 2108 West Route 120 in McHenry, for a report of a structure fire. Fire crews arrived at the […]