Local

ROUND LAKE HEIGHTS – A martial arts demonstration was part of Round Lake Heights' 50th-anniversary celebration, which doubled as the 17th annual village festival.

KENOSHA, Wis. – Santino Pepe Il Gato does not take his work lightly. A typical day can include poisoning enemies for information, getting into arguments and doing all he can to protect Bristol, England, circa 1574.

GRAYSLAKE – At first glance, the King Midget car might seem like nothing more than a kid’s ride that can be found outside of supermarkets.

Gurnee Days 2010 – themed “Gurneeopoly” – will take place Thursday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 15.

WAUKEGAN – Swashbuckling will ensue when the 1940 film “The Seahawk” is shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 30, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., in Waukegan.

GRAYSLAKE – When the Lake County Fair kicked off July 27, it was the culmination of months and months of preparation.

GRAYSLAKE – The morning that the Lake County Fair opened its gates to the public, the Meathe family of Round Lake was strolling around the nearly empty fairgrounds. The family was there to celebrate 3-year-old Trevor Meathe’s birthday and had just finished watching the Dairy Junior Livestock Show.

LAKE VILLA – When Frank Loffredo was young, he and his family would travel from Waukegan to the parks of Lake Villa to spend the afternoon.

FOX LAKE – Venetian Night is returning to the waters of Pistakee Lake in Fox Lake.

FOX LAKE – The newest owners at “R” Corner Bistro are feeling right at home in Fox Lake.

Local police officers will be in full contact with area residents and their children Tuesday, Aug. 3. But it won’t be because of criminal activity.

WAUCONDA – The fifth anniversary Wauconda Sprint Triathlon took place July 25 in Wauconda.

For the 82nd year in a row, the Lake County Fair Association is hosting the annual Lake County Fair – a six-day event full of agricultural showings, live entertainment and a friendly atmosphere that draws people of all ages.

LAKE ZURICH – It doesn’t take a genius to see that there aren’t as many toy stores around as there  once were.

WAUCONDA – It’s only been open about two months, but already, Bulldogs Grill is a hit in Wauconda.

WAUKEGAN –  A bat found in a Zion home July 22 has tested positive for rabies.

WAUCONDA – Taylor Tzouanakis, a 17-year-old pro racecar driver from Wauconda, will host a meet and greet from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 29, at Lindy's Landing, 115 Park St., in Wauconda.

GRAYSLAKE – For a kid from Houston, Texas, Jacob Lucas knows a thing or two about fishing in Grayslake's very own Grays Lake.

I have a tendency, or so my husband claims, to jump from one topic to another without taking a breath. The other day, I made a conscious decision to try to stay on only one subject.

LAKE VILLA – Nearly 1,000 people gathered at Township Park in Lake Villa on July 24 for the annual Antioch/Lakes-area Relay for Life fundraiser. Those 1,000 people raised at least $90,000 for the American Cancer Society.

GURNEE – Tony Schaefer’s dedication to communicating about the Toyota Pruis recently landed him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Tax season "officially" ended on April 15. Yet you can explore tax-smart investment opportunities all year round. And when you’re looking at the fixed-income side of your portfolio, you may want to consider two possibilities: municipal bonds and Build America Bonds.

LINDENHURST – It may not be a hospital, but they will take it.

ROUND LAKE BEACH – Olando's '50s soda shop and pizza parlor will be featured on WGN's "Chicago's Best" television segment during the 10 o'clock news Sunday, July 25 on channel 9.

Before Bear Stearns collapsed. Before Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy brought the markets to its knees. Before the Great Recession had been coined.

GRAYSLAKE – Champagne and hors d'oeuvres will be paired with an equestrian performance set to music when McCrae Farm, 32159 N. Bacon Road, in Grayslake presents "Elegance on Horseback" at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 31.

WAUKEGAN – A Lake County Sheriff's deputy has been placed on administrative leave after her gun fell out of its holster at the Lake County Courthouse on July 21, police said.

• Alcoholic's Anonymous meetings. Several meetings throughout Lake County on a daily basis. Call 847-362-1811 or visit www.district10nia.org for meeting information.

LAKE VILLA – High school reunions often provide alumni with an opportunity to re-live some of the experiences from their time in senior high.

LAKE ZURICH – A 14-year-old Lake Zurich resident has won a $25,000 scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology.

ROUND LAKE PARK – When Martina Rocha moved from Mexico to the United States 17 years ago, she told her parents the first thing she wanted to do wasn’t earn money.

Officials say move will make exhibits more accessible to patrons

WAUCONDA – David Geary and Mike Wahl are using their experiences working with volunteers so nonprofit organizations can succeed.

ROUND LAKE BEACH – Soon enough, a sign on the storefront window says, Chipotle Mexican Grill will finish the “burrito-fication” of its latest restaurant.

ROUND LAKE HEIGHTS –  What better way to start a celebration than with a parade?

GRAYSLAKE – The boys carry their weapons – some larger than themselves and others so sharp you’d think that they only should be carried by adults.

WILDWOOD – The Wildwood Park District is sponsoring a free concert by the lake from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 25.

GURNEE – Area teens are invited to enjoy free back-to-school consultations with fashion experts from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Grange Hall at Gurnee Mills Mall, 6170 W. Grand Ave., in Gurnee.

GURNEE – Army Pvt. Johnathan K. Moore has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.

GURNEE – The Breakfast Exchange Club of Gurnee will host its annual Ribfest fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 14, at Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave., in Gurnee, as part of Gurnee Days.

GRAYSLAKE – You never know what you're going to get when you walk into a strip-mall food joint. I had passed by Puerto Acapulco Restaurant in Grayslake – I don't know – maybe a few hundred times over the last few years, and finally decided to dine there last week.

FOX LAKE – Holidays often are a time when relatives sit around the dinner table telling tales from family lore.

GURNEE – Kathleen Strunk of Gurnee is one of four dog-handlers who will be followed on a new reality television series that is set to air Wednesday, July 21, on TLC.

ANTIOCH – Railroad crossings on North Avenue and Route 83 in Antioch will close for repairs beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday, July 22. The crossings are expected to reopen at 5 p.m. Monday, July 26.

A tentative agreement has been reached that will put an end to a nearly three-week construction strike.

McHENRY – The Obrochta family minivan was first in line at the McHenry Outdoor Theatre on the opening night of “Toy Story 3.”

Inline skating seems to be making a comeback.

Fitness hikes a chance to see county's many forest preserves

GRAYSLAKE – Tom Schreiner has a different perception of bikers.

FOX LAKE – A lightning strike during a major thunderstorm scored a direct hit on the Fox Lake Police Department last month.