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Amin poised for big comeback track season

HUNTLEY — Huntley girls track and field coach Jason Monson received some good news before the start of the indoor season.

About five months after suffering an ankle injury at the Huntley Class 3A sectional, senior Sophie Amin returned for a full season.

“Amin approached her recovery in the same way she approaches so many things, with a tenacity and focus that is unmatched,” Monson said. “We knew she would do all that she needed to do, but the fact that she was able to go full bore at the start of the indoor season was incredible, though not surprising given Amin's character.”

Waiting for the sun

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.

A long-awaited dinner date with a bug

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.

Sun City’s Schwan returns with Pickleball Gold

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 man arrested for involvement in gunfire events released from custody

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.

Defending track champs set for solid season

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.

Baseball squad plays steady with 9-1 start

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.

Communities brace for the deafening buzz of the 2024 cicada invasion

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.

What’s the deal with Huntley-opoly?

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.

Event for Special Olympics inspiring

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.

Youngest Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital patients celebrate the solar eclipse in style

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.

Many enjoy Education Foundation chili cook-off

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.

Relax, Reset, Recharge

Coming home to an empty house is eerie, even in broad daylight. There are strange creaks and clicks. Whistling drafts reveal themselves through cracks and doorways when there is no one else in the house.

I am accustomed to a house filled with voices and noise: laughter, instruments being practiced, “What’s for dinner?” being shouted, or the shower running for far too long. I’m used to hearing footsteps overhead, before they recede across the ceiling the way a shooting star appears in the corner of our eye, then disappear just as suddenly, leaving us to wonder if we only imagined it.

Hoops tourney backs American Diabetes Association

HUNTLEY — A day of fun basketball games in a 3-on-3 format will benefit a cause near to many at the Huntley Park District and the area.

The Inaugural Chris Pacana Memorial 3-on-3 Youth Basketball Tournament for boys and girls first through eighth graders will be held on April 6. It will benefit American Diabetes Association (ADA). Pacana was a long-time park district employee who passed away Jan. 1, 2023 at age 61.

The games will get started at 9 a.m.,

National Library Week invites residents to join in on engaging festivities

HUNTLEY — The Huntley Area Public Library (HAPL) will mark its 35th anniversary with an exciting lineup of events that will take place starting from April 7 to April 13.

The theme for this year is “The Library is Your Literary Canvas,” which will allow residents to get creative and help design a new library card. Beginning on April 7, HAPL will have design forms available at all library service desks. Patrons can also download an online version of the form from the library’s website at https://www.huntleylibrary.org/nlw2024.

Cummings’ comeback proves satisfying

HUNTLEY — Maddie Cummings has a special incentive for a successful Huntley girls soccer season.

Cummings suffered a season-ending foot injury early last season against McHenry and missed the Red Raiders' regional tournament winning, 17-victory season.

“The hardest part was watching,” Cummings said. “I got clearance to play in August and trained with my club team, Crystal Lake Force.”

“Last year she was a missing piece for us, but this year she will be a focal point, a leader,” Huntley coach Matt Lewandowski said.

The cost of education? Consider the cost of ignorance

If my parents were alive today, Mom would be 101 years old. Dad would be 107.

Mom earned a high school diploma from Leyden High School, but Dad left school at 14 to get a job to help support his family during the Great Depression. Had it not been for such hard economic times, he would have earned his high school diploma, too.

That’s because our government a century ago felt that education was important enough to guarantee that young people have the right to be educated through high school, funded by taxpayers.

Easter egg fun draws hundreds

HUNTLEY — Huntley Park District hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt March 30 at Deicke Park. Participants and their parents wait for the start at the 4-and-5-year old area.

About 1,100 participants sought some of the 18,000 eggs which were scattered around the roped off areas, for ages birth to age 8. The top prize was a season pass to a family of four to the Stingray Bay Family Aquatic Center.

Huntley's Easter Bunny arrived on a Huntley Fire Protection Department fire engine.

Sun City pickleball player heads to nationals

HUNTLEY — A local pickleball enthusiast will begin his 2024 season competing against the best.

John Schwan of Sun City has qualified for the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships which will take place in Naples, Florida, April 13-20. A record 3,000 amateur and professional pickleball players will compete in the “most prestigious pickleball tournament in the world,” according to a press release statement.

Schwan, 75, will compete in the men's age 75 to 80 age bracket in singles. He has been playing pickleball at the Sun City Pickleball Charter Club for three years.

Boys track team ready for FVC outdoors

HUNTLEY — It is on to the outdoor Fox Valley Conference portion of the track and field season as Huntley's boys squad. The initial FVC outdoor triangular meet is April 8 at Jacobs.

At the Illinois Top Times meet on March 23, junior long distance runner Tommy Nitz ended second as he recorded the best HHS finish, in the 3,200-meter run, with a time of 9:14.12. Nitz qualified for the IHSA Class 3A State Meet in the event last season.

Vinny Costa, also a junior, was fourth in the 60-meter dash, 7.01 seconds; senior Jeff Cruickshank was fourth in the high jump, 1.93 meters; senior Talon Sargent ended eighth in the 200-meter run, 22.78 seconds.

Woodstock man arrested after making hostile remarks towards public officials

WOODSTOCK — On March 29, at approximately 7 a.m., law enforcement from the Woodstock Police Department and the McHenry County Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT Team responded to the 600 block of Brink Street to serve a resident with a felony arrest warrant.

According to a press release statement, the male subject, who was identified as 39-year-old Brandon M. Smith, had previously made threatening statements to Woodstock officials and hinted at the possibility of possessing at least one firearm. This led to safety precautions needing to be put in place before serving Smith with the arrest warrant.

Hurricanes enjoy Special Olympics spring

HUNTLEY — The Huntley Community School District 158 Special Olympics team has enjoyed its first season, with an area event, a Huntley fun run as well as area Special Olympics Illinois track and field meet.

Head coach Carly Smith said the Hurricanes are comprised of eight athletes in grades six through eight with various disabilities.

The group will be at the Huntley Don't Be Fooled - By a Disability Special Olympics Illinois event fundraiser hosted by Huntley Police Department April 6.

Baseball squad starts fast with 4 wins

HUNTLEY — Huntley's baseball squad has had solid outings from the pitching staff in a 4-0 beginning.

Victories have been 1-0 over Hope Academy; 10-0 over Belvidere North and a close 7-4 comeback win over St. Charles East and a 4-1 victory over Maine South.

Senior Malachi Paplanus has two victories already, over Hope and Maine South.

“Our pitchers have done a really nice job so far,” Red Raiders head coach Andy Jakubowski said. “We need to get better with our first pitch strike ratio but to give up four runs in three games – they have done a tremendous job.”

Red Raiders set for girls soccer success

HUNTLEY — Huntley's girls soccer team is optimistic for another successful season.

Huntley is coming off a regional title, a 17-4-3 record and 5-1-3 (third) in the Fox Valley Conference.

Junior Midfielder Gabi Farraj is back after a seven goals, two assist season. Other potential goal scorers include: sophomore forward Maizie Nickle, eight goals, one assist; senior forward Alex Szydlowski, who had seven goals and three assists; sophomore midfielder Maddie Cummings had three goals. Another player returning is junior defender Jaci Laramie.

Putting Style on a Pedestal

Thankfully, in the office where I work as a communications specialist for a public library, I am surrounded by people who love the written word as much as I do. As our team creates copy for newsletters, brochures, and even social media, we get to ponder and discuss the placement of commas, apostrophes, and semicolons. We debate, and sometimes we argue. When all else fails, we go to the ultimate source: the Associated Press Stylebook.

The AP Stylebook is a substantial volume for journalists, students, and writers that, to me at least, deserves its own podium, open to the page about nonessential clauses, marked with a rich leather bookmark, a single light trained on its text.

THE DOORWAY TO OUR COMMUNITY