We keep hearing about red fox sightings in the area. This photo was taken recently by Colin Guido, a sixth grader at Lake Bluff Middle School, who spied this regal-looking red fox in the backyard of his West Terrace home. Readers have reported seeing red foxes throughout Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, often in neighborhoods near golf courses, wooded areas and the Metra train tracks. One reader who lives near Westleigh Road in Lake Forest said she shooed a red fox out of her yard when she saw it chasing a cat last week.

Photo courtesy of Colin Guido

(more…)

The Daily Herald reports that the man accused of opening fire at the Silo restaurant in 2007 pleaded not-guilty Thursday in Lake County Circuit Court. To follow the story, please visit the Daily Herald's website.

They may be smiling in this photo. but these ladies are not just playing around when it comes to platform tennis. "The competition is ferocious," said Susan Ehrhard as she warmed up for a match at the Winter Club Thursday. Snow fell quietly and wet from a dull sky while Lake Bluff's dynamic duo of Kauri McHendry and Stephanie McGlynn took on Winter Club's Kate Huskin and Ms. Ehrhard. The Lake Bluff team won the first set six to one and the second set seven to five. "We tried but they were too much for us," said Ms. Ehrhard. "You could say we went down fighting."

When Gov. Rod Blagojevich decided to give a closing argument at his impeachment trial on Thursday, state Senator Susan Garrett issued a sound bite that was picked up by the International Tribune as one of its "Quotations of the Day." Here's what was said by Ms. Garrett, a democrat from Lake Forest: "Like so many others, I'm going to be on pins and needles just waiting to see what he's going to be delivering us. It could be anything."

The debate over whether to build a golf course at Fort Sheridan will get a public airing on Friday when the Lake County Forest Preserve meets to discuss the future of the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. The issue: Should the forest preserve use Fort Sheridan as a nature preserve that includes native prairies and habitats for rare bird species such as bobolinks and dickcissels? Or should the parcel at Fort Sheridan be turned into a lakefront golf course for the public?

This map at Fort Sheridan includes the site of the proposed golf course.

(more…)

Want to spend Saturday night talking about disease? That may sound grim, but the Women's Health Advisory Council at Lake Forest Hospital has found a novel way of sharing information about medical issues. On Saturday, LFH doctors will host "House Calls," a dinner and discussion at Onwentsia Country Club in Lake Forest. Each participant will attend two presentations on such issues as tobacco; immunizations; hormone replacement therapy; emergency medicine; chronic pain; breast cancer and melanoma. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served, followed by dinner and dessert. Cost is $100 per person. RSVP to lfh.org/philanthropy or call 847-535-6111.

Someone shot and killed two deer in a Lake Forest residential neighborhood on Saturday in broad daylight. Just before noon on the 1000 block of S. Oak Knoll Drive, Lake Forest police responded to a call from a resident who heard a loud popping noise outdoors, followed by the sight of a large deer staggering in his backyard. Police discovered not one but two dead deer with similar gunshot wounds—the large deer described by the caller and a smaller deer in the front yard of a nearby residence. It is illegal in Lake Forest to hunt or trap with a gun, bow and arrow or any other weapon or device.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police will X-ray the deer with the goal of finding the bullets, which they then can examine for type and caliber, said Glenn Burmeister, deputy chief with the LFPD. He said other neighbors heard the shots. The neighborhood is near Everett Road in west Lake Forest. Police are seeking witnesses who may have relevant information. Do you know who is deer hunting? Call the LFPD at 847-234-2601.

This story was updated Wednesday afternoon, 3:30 p.m.-ish

Lake Forest Police on Tuesday made an announcement that a sexual assault rumor that's racing around the city is just that—a rumor. Deputy Chief Glenn Burmeister told GazeboNews the story originated when a male Hispanic was observed in a red car in a driveway in a manner that caused one person to be suspicious of his actions. That person told another person, who told another, and so on … Someone eventually passed the story on to a child who passed it on via text messages. "And eight relays later, you have nothing resembling the truth," Deputy Chief Burmeister said. "Like the telephone game."

Here is the text of the police alert:

(more…)

David Barkhausen on Monday filed a petition seeking re-election to his office of Shields Township clerk, a surprise move from a candidate who previously announced he would run for township supervisor.  Five others filed petitions on Monday's deadline, representing the Shields Township Active Reform Team (or START), which will be listed under the "independent" label on the April ballot.

Running with Mr. Barkhausen as START candidates are incumbent highway commissioner Bill Goodman and four trustee candidates: Cele Bull and Laura Carney of Lake Bluff; Lynn Baehr of Lake Forest; and Mary Woodson from North Chicago. Mr. Barkhausen said he made the switch to maximize his group's chances of electing its trustee candidates. "By not fielding our own candidate for

(more…)

Downtown Lake Bluff is getting an old-fashioned bakery. WildFlour Bakery & Cafe will open this spring on Center Avenue in a section of the retail space formerly occupied by Helanders. The bakery plans to offer breads, muffins, croissants and other goodies baked daily in a new kitchen that's being built below the storefront. It also will serve  made-to-order salads, sandwiches and soups.

WildFlour is a home-grown operation run by two professional pastry chefs who have close ties to the area: Kristi Loucks and Ann Sorlie-Fisher. Ms. Loucks is a Lake Forest native whose love of baking began at age six in the kitchen of her neighbor, Irene Oddi, who taught her not only how to bake but encouraged her to make a career out of it. Ms. Loucks  is a 1992 graduate of Lake Forest High School; a 2007 graduate of the pastry program at the Cooking

(more…)