A construction crew punctured a natural gas main, prompting evacuations and traffic closures in downtown Crystal Lake Wednesday morning, fire officials said. The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Police Department responded around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to the area of Main Street and East Crystal Lake Avenue. Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Deputy Chief […]
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].
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Felon arrested after allegedly brandishing illegally possessed gun during altercation at RV park near Marengo
A convicted felon staying in an RV park near Marengo was arrested after he allegedly brandished an illegally possessed gun during an altercation with two people. Jason Barker, 46, of Kinston, North Carolina, was charged with three counts of aggravated unlawful use of a firearm while having a previous conviction, felon in possession of a […]
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‘Tragic loss’: Coroner identifies 50-year-old man found dead after car crashes off roadway near Richmond
The coroner has released the identity of a 50-year-old man who was found dead after he crashed his car off the roadway near Richmond Tuesday, with the sheriff calling it a “tragic loss.” The Richmond Township Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:52 a.m. Tuesday to 374th Avenue and State Line […]
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Heavy police presence reported in neighborhood in Huntley amid ‘isolated investigation’
A heavy police presence was reported in the Wing Pointe subdivision in Huntley Wednesday morning as officials say they are conducting an “isolated investigation.” A resident told Lake and McHenry County Scanner the heavy police presence was in the area of Haligus Road and Grand Canyon Avenue in Huntley. The man said he witnessed the […]
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Police and FBI capture alleged gunman wanted for shooting man, leaving him hospitalized in Grayslake
Police and the FBI worked together on Wednesday to capture an alleged gunman wanted for shooting another man twice at a home in Grayslake, officials announced. The Grayslake Police Department and Grayslake Fire Protection District responded around 6:19 p.m. on January 30 to the 500 block of Lincoln Avenue in Grayslake for a report of […]
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Man in his 50s dies after vehicle drives off roadway into conservation area near Richmond
A man in his 50s died after authorities say he drove his car off the roadway into a conservation area near Richmond, just south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border, Tuesday morning. The Richmond Township Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:52 a.m. Tuesday to the area of Lakeview Road and State Line […]
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Coroner identifies 8-year-old child who died after alleged horrific abuse by couple in Round Lake Beach
The coroner has released the identity of an 8-year-old boy who authorities say was punched, beaten with a belt, malnourished and put in a cold shower in Round Lake Beach before he died Friday. The Round Lake Beach Police Department and Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded around 2:05 p.m. Friday to a report […]
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Former Lake Forest Academy therapist who said she was in love with student pleads guilty to violating no-contact order
A former Lake Forest Academy therapist, who prosecutors said was in love with a male juvenile student and hosted him for sleepovers, has pleaded guilty to violating a court no-contact order with him. Nirali Dalia, 45, of Lake Forest, was charged with one count of violation of a stalking no-contact order, a Class A misdemeanor. […]
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5 years in prison for self-admitted dealer found with $40K cash, kilo of cocaine hidden in air vents in Waukegan
An admitted drug trafficker has been sentenced to five years in prison after police found nearly $40,000 in cash and a kilogram of cocaine hidden in the air vents of his home in Waukegan. Danny Wence-Cuevas, 39, of Waukegan, was charged in March 2025 with manufacturing or delivery of more than 900 grams of cocaine, […]