Sycamore man to serve prison time for shoving a West Dundee Police officer causing great bodily harm

I’m nestled cozily in my chair, still wearing my pajamas, socks, and slippers. Hat and gloves ward off the damp chill of the early morning. My husband hands me a cup of coffee, and I take it gratefully, watching the steam rise, curl, and dissipate into the morning air.

The sky has that expectant pink hue to it. We are also expectant, having risen early from our little camping trailer to greet the sunrise. This was a planned thing, involving Google searches of when the sun would rise, earlier bedtime the night before, and several alarms set.

If history is any measure, I’ll be eating a big bug sometime soon. Maybe several of them.

That’s because the long-awaited 17-year cicadas are clearing their throats underground just beneath the trees right now, and soon the branches above will ring with their robust songs. And every other time in my life that they’ve come to visit—four times in total before this time — they somehow found a way into my mouth.

My first encounter with the gigantic periodic bugs was in 1956, when I was eight years old.

NAPLES, FL - John Schwan, a Sun City Pickleball Charter Club member, is a national champion after winning his age bracket gold medal at the Minto US Open Pickleball Championship April 14 in Naples, Fla.

Schwan, 75, beat four opponents to earn the gold medal. He edged Randy Scott of Griffin, Georgia (who lives at a Del Webb community) for the senior singles skill 4.0 crown in the finals as thousands looked on. Schwan won the first game, 11-3, then the second, 11-8.

ELGIN — On April 13, officers from the Special Investigations Group were investigating gunfire events that had occurred that same day in the 300 block of Adams Street at approximately 12:24 a.m., the 300 block of Ryerson Avenue at 12:49 a.m., and in the 800 block of N Lyle Avenue at 1:00 a.m.

Not long after, authorities made contact with Diego Sandoval, 25, who was driving a vehicle that matched the description of a car that was said to have been involved in the gunfire events.

HUNTLEY — With the indoor meet season in the books, it is time to begin the outdoor meets for the Huntley girls track and field team.

Prior to the start of the outdoor season, Huntley seniors Sophie Amin selected University of South Dakota and Vicky Evitmov picked the University of South Dakota, both D-1 schools, for 2024-25.

The Red Raiders traveled to Crystal Lake South and won a quad meet April 8. HHS had 80 points and beat McHenry, Cary-Grove and Crystal Lake South.

HUNTLEY — It has been so far, so good for the Huntley baseball team, both overall and in Fox Valley Conference games.

Huntley has defeated McHenry twice and Crystal Lake Central once as it aims to defend its league crown.

“We're getting off to a good start in the FVC,” HHS head coach Andy Jakubowski said. “Our situational hitting is coming. We know each player has strengths and weaknesses and we try to play to their strengths.”

The triumphs over McHenry both featured late-game rallies, for 5-2 and 8-3 triumphs, April 5 and 8.

HUNTLEY — Back in 2021, My Huntley News reported on the 17-year cicada Brood X that made its noisy debut in western Illinois, which fortunately didn’t impact Kane and McHenry counties.

This year, however, northern Illinois can expect to see the emergence of Brood XIII, the brood with the reputation for being the largest emergence for periodical cicadas in the state. Additionally, Brood XIII and XIX will be emerging throughout much of Illinois at the same time.

According to Ken Johnson, a horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension program, the emergence of two periodical cicada broods will be the first time this has happened since 1803, and will not happen again until 2245.

HUNTLEY — Residents shopping at the Walmart Supercenter located at 12300 Route 47 may have taken notice of a particular board game on store shelves that centers around the village.

The game called Huntley-opoly is a monopoly-style game that features well-known Huntley properties and landmarks making the game a much more personal experience for those residing in the village. However, most will be surprised to know that Hasbro, the company behind the official Monopoly board game, is not involved in creating Huntley-opoly.

HUNTLEY — Many inspirational stories could be told among the more than 100 participants in the “Don't Be Fooled - by a Disability” 5K run held April 6. The effort benefits the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois.

Huntley Deputy Police Chief Amy Williams praised the progress that has been made in not focusing on people's disabilities but abilities with the focus of the movement on more inclusion. She said there has been great support for the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Huntley.

HUNTLEY — April 8 marked a momentous occasion for Illinois residents as many gathered to witness the rare celestial event known as the 2024 total solar eclipse. What makes this particular eclipse so noteworthy is the path of totality, which covered a wide area of the U.S. spanning from Texas across the Midwest and up into Canada.

The next total solar eclipse across the United States won’t occur until 2045. Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital made sure to make this day extra special for some of its youngest patients by providing a pair of sunglasses for all babies currently at the hospital.

HUNTLEY — On a dreary early April afternoon, enjoying a small cup of chili, made by a total of 12 teams, was a good idea.

The Second Annual First Responders Chili Cook-off at Sew Hop'd Brewery and Tap Room in Huntley supported future endeavors of the Huntley Community School District 158 Education Foundation. About 250 people attended, according to organizers.

“It was definitely a success as we had the place packed and were able to raise funds for scholarships,” D158 Education Foundation event organizer Steve Lulofs said.