By Adrienne Fawcett

A 19-year-old from Bolingbrook was arrested in Lake Forest on Sunday in what the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is calling a “major cocaine bust.”

Lt. Christopher Thompson said the arrest occurred at about 7 p.m. on Jan. 30 when a deputy on routine patrol pulled over a 2005 Ford van for driving 15 miles over the posted speed limit on I-94 north of Route 60. He said Deputy Lorne White spoke with the driver, Pedro Valdovinos, and got a consent to search the van. The deputy found a self-manufactured trap door hidden in the rear of the vehicle. After further inspection, he discovered 15 kilos of cocaine within the hidden compartment.

GazeboNews asked Lt. Thompson why the deputy sought permission to search the van and what would happen if a suspect refused. He said that if police feel something is suspicious, they are within their rights to ask the driver for consent to search. He also said suspects can say no to a consent-to-search request, but he added that they often provide consent because they don’t want the deputy or officer to think they have anything to hide.

Mr. Valdovinos was taken into custody without incident and transported to the County’s Criminal investigations Division where he asked for an attorney. Valdovinos would not speak to sheriff’s investigators regarding the incident.

Lt. Thompson said the 15 kilos of cocaine is placed into evidence until the case is adjudicated.

In a press release, Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said: “This is quite a substantial seizure of cocaine. We are very pleased with the outcome of this traffic stop and the tenancity of Deputy White to have obtained consent to search and to have discovered the hidden compartment.”

Mr. Valdovinos was charged with one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Class X Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felony) and Speeding, 15 MPH over the posted limit. His bond was set at $500,000. He remains in the Lake County Jail. If convicted, Mr. Valdovinos could face up to 60 years [...]

The 10th annual Margo Moreland 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament And Carnival raised more than $23,000 on Sunday, with donations still coming in. This brings to nearly $325,000 the total amount of money the event has raised in the past decade for conductive education and equipment, a holistic therapy for children with cerebral palsy.

Everyone had a lot of fun at the tournament, which took place Sunday at the Lake Forest High School field house. As with previous years, the competition was intense, but good sportsmanship prevailed. The balloonist and moon jump were big hits, and so were cool prizes such as plastic banks shaped like basketballs and real goldfish in little glass bowls. Well, at least the kids were excited about the goldfish. The moms, not so much.

For more information on the Margot Moreland Tournament, please visit these links:

New Vision Athletics website
GazeboNews archives

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The following was sent to emergency managers in Lake County at 2:20 p.m. on Monday, January 31.

By C. Kent McKenzie, Emergency Management Coordinator for Lake County

A significant winter storm is forecast to impact Lake County over the next several days, and the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Blizzard Watch for the entire Chicago metropolitan area from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon. A blizzard includes both significant snow and very strong winds. While there is still some variance between weather models, the first round of snow is expected tonight into Tuesday morning, with perhaps two to four inches of snow, followed by the much more significant threat of heavy snow from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday. The snow Tuesday and Wednesday is expected to combine with strong winds and blizzard or near-blizzard conditions, including very low visibility and whiteout conditions. The NWS has also issued a Coastal Flood Warning for the Lake and Cook County shore of Lake Michigan, where the winds will push large waves ashore, leading to beach erosion and possible flooding and subsequent icing of low-lying roads and streets.

The most recent forecasts suggest that snow totals across Lake County from one to two feet are probable, with some chance of lake enhancement on Wednesday adding several more inches closer to Lake Michigan. Sustained winds of 20mph to 30mph are expected overnight Tuesday and during the day Wednesday, with gusts over 40mph possible. The strong winds will likely lead to snow drifts of several feet, and will make it a challenge for transportation personnel to keep roads clear. Isolated utility outages should be expected throughout the region.

Travel will be challenging Wednesday morning, and should be avoided if possible.

Motorists should make sure their vehicles are prepared for hazardous winter conditions, and should check windshield wiper blades and washer fluid, tires, and defrosters. Travelers should limit their travel to that which is necessary, allowing extra travel time and ensuring that cellular telephones are fully charged. Citizens should know how their business, school, or community will communicate important weather-related scheduling information, and should have a plan to communicate with family and friends regarding possible school or business closings. We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to make sure their family disaster supply kits are up-to-date.

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Here’s a note from the Lake Bluff Police Department informing residents and visitors not to park
on Village streets outside of the downtown Business District from 7 p.m. Monday, January 31, to 3 p.m. Thursday, February 3:

Lake Bluff, Illinois, January 31, 2011 2:00 p.m.—

The National Weather Service has predicted blizzard conditions to affect the greater Chicago area over the next 48 hours. With snow expected to start falling later this evening, the Village of Lake Bluff has already initiated its snow removal program pre-event activities.

The Lake Bluff Public Works Department is prepared to have snow removal crews working around the clock in order to combat the heaviest of the forecasted snow falls over the next several days. Public Works Superintendant Jake Terlap stated, “should predictions of snow fall in excess of 2 inches per hour come true, roads will become snow covered despite our efforts. If you must travel during the storm, please allow additional travel time and use extra caution.”

Beginning at 7:00 pm Monday, January 31, there will be no parking allowed on Village Streets outside of the downtown Business District until 3:00 p.m. Thursday, February 3, 2011. To assist with safe and efficient snow removal operations, residents are asked to keep all vehicles off the streets and in their driveways. If this is not possible, residents should contact the Lake Bluff Police Department at 847-234-2153 to make alternative arrangements. Any vehicles on the roadway may be towed and/or subject to fines.

Deputy Chief David Belmonte stated, “the Police Department has assigned extra officers and four wheel drive vehicles to assist stranded motorist and provide emergency response to residents and businesses.” Additionally, Belmonte noted, “If there are any residents with special needs that may need extra assistance during the storm, they should contact the police department at 847-234-2151.” Since 2007 the Village has maintained a list of elderly or special needs residents with whom the Village checks in on during events such as extended periods of high temperature and/or significant snow storms.

Deputy Chief David Belmonte reiterated that, “with the current storm prediction, residents should stay home and avoid travel during the storm unless absolutely necessary.”

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Lake Bluff Elementary School Principal Katie Williams has resigned effective June 20, 2011. Her goals for the future are threefold:

“Time for travel, family and friends!” she told GazeboNews. “My husband and I will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary together this June!”

District 65 Superintendent John Asplund said in a telephone interview that Ms. Williams was already retired from a school district in Edina, Minnesota, before she came to LBES. “It was understood that she was just coming here for a few years as a transition,” he said. “The district knew it was going to be short-term.”

Dr. Asplund announced her resignation in a letter emailed to parents on Monday morning, Jan. 31. Here is the text email.

News from the Lake Bluff School District

January 31, 2011
Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is with sincere gratitude for the many years of service to the Lake Bluff School District that I announce the resignation today of Lake Bluff Elementary School principal, Mrs. Katie Williams, effective June 30, 2011. We wish her much success in any future endeavors.

Our plans to find a replacement for Mrs. Williams will start immediately and will be announced as they solidify. Board of Education, teacher and parent involvement will be certain components of our next steps.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me through email (japlund@lb65.org) or by phone (847-234-9400).

–District 65 Superintendent John Asplund

And here is the letter that Ms. Williams sent to parents on Monday:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It is with mixed emotions that I inform you I submitted by letter of resignation. I am honored to have worked with the staff at Lake Bluff Elementary, the children, and parents – together we have created an outstanding school. Please know that I will continue to be at LBES through June 2011.

The staff at Lake Bluff Elementary School is an outstanding group of people. I am proud of their dedication to make our school a great place for learning. The teamwork between teachers, specials, specialists, office staff, assistants, and custodians sets a high standard and creates a sense of pride to be at Lake Bluff Elementary.

I will truly miss the children. I love to start my day greeting students and families outside. I walk through the building daily, stopping in classrooms to listen and help, noticing a genuine sense of community. My interaction with your children brings joy into my life. I [...]

Lake Forest resident Augie Hoffmann is a defenseman on the U.S. Men’s National University Hockey Team competing this week at the 25th World University Winter Games in Erzurum, Turkey. Augie first skated as a pre-schooler at the Winter Club, started playing hockey there and with the Highland Park Falcons, then played for five years with the Chicago Mission and Chicago Young Americans hockey clubs. After graduating from LFHS, Augie played three years of junior hockey, and is now in his second year at the University of Oklahoma.

He is currently taking three weeks away from the Sooners to join 21 other American Collegiate Hockey Association players in a pool format tournament in Erzurum. The U.S. team is now 1-1, having lost their opening game to the Kazakhstan team, 5-0, before overpowering Slovakia 7-3. The team hopes to move on after concluding pool play in a contest against Spain on Tuesday at 8:00am CST.

The World University Games are a biennial multi-sport event similar to the Olympic Games. The winter and summer games are sponsored by the International University Sports Federation.

Hockey fans can follow Team USA at:
http://www.usahockey.com//Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=PL_03_04_13&ID=12998
or read Augie’s blog about his experiences in Turkey: http://ridingthedoginturkey.blogspot.com/

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The National Weather Service is forecasting rough, wintry weather beginning Tuesday, with heavy snow and blizzard conditions. The NWS isn’t the only weather barometer–Craigslist postings often reflect seasonal trends.

For example, on Sunday there were three snow blowers and a pair of downhill skis listed in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. The local Craigslist is one of the most popular pages on GazeboNews–likely because people are posting a lot of interesting stuff. Here are the links to weather-related postings:

Snowblower (Lake Bluff): http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/grd/2188712460.html
Snowblower (Lake Forest): http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/for/2188489909.html
Snowblower (Lake Forest): http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/for/2188471175.html
Downhill skis (Lake Forest): http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/spo/2187878942.html

And here’s the forecast for northern Illinois from the National Weather Service as of Monday, Jan. 31, at about 4 a.m.:

…DANGEROUS MULTIFACETED AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING WINTER
STORM TAKING AIM ON REGION…

…BLIZZARD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON…

A BLIZZARD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

* TIMING…SNOW WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY AND BECOME HEAVY AT
TIMES SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80 TUESDAY AFTERNOON…GRADUALLY
SPREADING NORTH INTO NORTHERN ILLINOIS BY TUESDAY EVENING.
SNOW…HEAVY AT TIMES…WILL CONTINUE TUESDAY NIGHT INTO
WEDNESDAY MORNING. SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE NEAR LAKE MICHIGAN
IN NORTHEAST LLINOIS WEDNESDAY MORNING…SHIFTING INTO NORTHWEST
INDIANA DURING THE AFTERNOON. NORTHEAST WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH
WITH STRONGER GUSTS WILL RESULT IN BLIZZARD CONDITIONS
DEVELOPING TUESDAY EVENING AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT
HOURS.

Click here to read the entire NWS forecast

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GazeboNews presents our weekly roundup of sermons from local houses of worship (representing the past two or three services). This week we welcome the addition of The Church of St. Mary, Lake Forest, to this feature. If you would like us to approach another religious institution, local or otherwise, please contact adrienne@gazebonews.com.

The Church of St. Mary, Lake Forest
Jan. 23, 2011
Father Steve Grunow
Our scriptures began this evening with the eloquent and impassioned words of the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah. And what did the Prophet Isaiah say to us?

“First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles. Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where there was once distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.”

Those words of the Prophet Isaiah are so significant that the Lord Jesus himself repeats them in the Gospel of Matthew that you heard tonight. Why are those words so important? Who or what is Zebulun and Naphtali? Do you know? Do you understand?

To listen to this homily, please visit St. Mary’s podcast center

Christ Church Lake Forest
“Avoiding Toxic Words”
By Pastor Mike Woodruff
Jan. 24, 2011
Philippians 2:14-15
If you are complaining then something is wrong…with you. If you are complaining about the government, the weather, being too busy, your weight, the turf on Soldier Field, your job (or your lack thereof), your spouse (or your lack thereof) – if you are complaining, Paul says there is a problem, and the problem is your complaining.

Today we move from some lofty theological heights to some very practical matters. Paul moves from preaching to meddling. Under the banner of Christian unity, Paul has been campaigning for humility and obedience. We‘re not sure entirely what the problems were within the church at Philippi. Perhaps there were some Green Bay Packer fans mixed in among the faithful. But to squelch the disruption, and to promote the unity of the church – which must be in place for the church to be what she is called to be, and do what she is called to do – Paul instructs them to live lives worthy of the Gospel.

Christ [...]

Martha Stewart Living columnist Kevin Sharkey mentions Lake Forest in a book review of American Gardens-1890-1930. Click here to read the column and view several garden photos, including one of “Mill Road Farm” in Lake Forest.

Lake County historian Diana Dretske writes about local connections to NASA in honor of the 25th anniversary of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Click here to read her blog, “Illuminating Lake County.”

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Submitted by the City of Lake Forest administrator’s office

Gorton Community Center is pleased to announce the receipt of a donation of $50,000 from Lake Forest Bank and Trust Company.

“Lake Forest Bank & Trust’s mission is to be a customer-centered community bank delivering exceptional service and creating sustained value in our community. We are pleased to be a part of Gorton’s next chapter,” comments Lake Forest Bank and Trust President David Lee.

Michael Ley, newly appointed Chairman of the Gorton Commission states, “Lake Forest Bank and Trust is true to its mission; this generous donation will go a long way to ensure the sustainability of Gorton’s future.” The Community Center’s operations and improvements are supported solely by gifts, grants, and the proceeds of user fees.

In 2010 Lake Forest City Manager Bob Kiely, serving as interim director, and a new interim Board of Directors led by George Pandaleon, reviewed Gorton’s operations and determined what was required to ensure Gorton’s sustainability. During this period, Gorton Community Center remained open. Bob Kiely comments, “Serving in a volunteer capacity, Lake Forest resident Nancy Novit did an exemplary job supervising operations to provide continuity for Gorton’s programs and users.”

Similar to the way the community rallied to preserve Gorton in 1972, history repeats itself. “The donation of time and talent from dedicated individuals in our community and hometown centered organizations like Lake Forest Bank and Trust is imperative to Gorton’s long term welfare,” states John Diefenbach newly appointed Chairman of Gorton’s Foundation Board.

Gorton Community Center provides, maintains, operates, and manages a community center for charitable, educational, and cultural purposes and for the general welfare of local residents of all ages. Gorton also provides a supportive, collaborative environment for many of the community’s other not-for-profit social service and cultural organizations.

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