Prosecutors say a woman stabbed her mother in the head with a knife in a seemingly unprovoked attack before fleeing the scene and being arrested in Vernon Hills. Sashary Almanza, 20, of Vernon Hills, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony. […]

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].
Man suffers critical injuries, flown to hospital after crash on Route 31 in Crystal Lake
A man was critically injured and flown to the hospital after a two-vehicle crash that left two others injured on Route 31 in Crystal Lake Sunday afternoon. The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Police Department responded around 1:49 p.m. Sunday to Route 31 and Brighton Lane for a report of a vehicle […]
Man killed, 3 children critically injured after head-on crash near Woodstock
A man was killed and three children were critically injured in a head-on crash that resulted in three medical helicopters being called near Woodstock Sunday afternoon. The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded around 3:13 p.m. Sunday to the area of Route 14 and Dean Street for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries and entrapment. Emergency […]
Man allegedly kicked security officer, punched police officer in face at hospital in Harvard
A 30-year-old man allegedly kicked a security officer in the chest, punched a police officer in the face and tried headbutting a second officer at a hospital in Harvard. Ruben J. Mendez-Javier, 30, of Harvard, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer or security officer, aggravated assault of a peace […]
Man accused of threatening to kill pastor, others while trying to obtain guns in Zion
A man who was released from custody after threatening to kill a pastor in Zion is back in custody after making death threats again while trying to obtain guns, prosecutors said. Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said Steven C. Cole Jr., 27, of Zion, threatened on social media to kill the pastor at […]
‘Tremendous loss’: Off-duty police officer killed in two-vehicle crash in Barrington
An off-duty Glenview police officer was killed after being involved in a two-vehicle crash in Barrington while on his way to work early Sunday morning. The Barrington Police Department and Barrington Fire Department responded around 4:09 a.m. Sunday to the 200 block of South Northwest Highway in Barrington for a vehicle crash with injuries. A […]
Officers find cocaine, cash after stopping stolen U-Haul truck driving around in Zion
Officers who stopped a stolen U-Haul truck arrested a 60-year-old man who prosecutors say was found with a large quantity of cocaine as well as over $2,000 in cash. Alan W. Gates, 60, of Zion, was charged with manufacturing or delivery of cocaine, a Class X felony, and possession of cocaine, a Class 1 felony. […]
Multiple Lake County fire departments respond to Skokie after water main break leaves town without water
Multiple fire departments from Lake County responded to Skokie after a water main break on Friday caused major flooding and left the town without water. The Village of Skokie said they were working to repair a significant transmission water main break that occurred around 5:15 a.m. Friday at East Prairie Road and Emerson Street. Community […]
Attorneys seek to throw out evidence after questioning lab results in fatal DUI head-on crash near McHenry
Attorneys for an Ingleside woman charged with DUI and causing a head-on crash that killed another woman in Ringwood are seeking to have evidence barred at trial, arguing faulty lab results. Alyssa M. Popp, 34, of Ingleside, was charged in November 2021 with aggravated driving under the influence of drugs causing death, a Class 2 […]