Mick Zawislak

Mick Zawislak is a reporter for the Daily Herald.

A green ribbon is tied around a tree along West Fernwood Lane near McHenry on Aug. 6, 2026, for fatal boat crash victim Magdalena Jablonska, who was killed on the Fox River on July 25, 2026. (Paul Valade/Daily Herald)

First-degree murder charge added in fatal Fox River boating crash in McHenry

August 21, 2026 at 4:28 p.m.

A Lisle man who has been jailed in connection with a fatal boating collision July 25 on the Fox River in McHenry has been charged with first-degree murder.

A bicyclist rides the Millennium Trail in Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda in 2019. Land acquisitions is a continuing priority for the Lake County Forest Preserve District, which plans to buy more with $30 million. (Paul Valade/Daily Herald)

Lake County Forest Preserves to spend $30 million on more land

August 13, 2026 at 9:46 a.m.

In a separate action, the forest board approved strategic objectives for 2026 to 2030.

Investigators search the Fox River south of the McHenry Dam after a collision between two boats Saturday left one person dead and two others injured. (McHenry Township Fire Protection District)

Prosecutor: Lisle man driving 80 mph, intoxicated before deadly Fox River boat crash

July 28, 2026 at 9:26 a.m.

A Lisle man faces aggravated DUI and reckless homicide charges from a Fox River boat collision that killed one and injured two.

Zoning changes have been approved for an important milestone in the ongoing transformation of Hawthorn mall in Vernon HIls. Phase 2 of the $252 million makeover includes 288 apartments including some to be marketed at an "affordable" rate. (Hawthorn Mall)

$5M interior upgrades at Hawthorn mall part of broader reinvestment: ‘Investing in an experience’

July 27, 2026 at 10:13 a.m.

New restaurants, luxury apartments and street-level retailers have replaced anchor stores and parking lots in recent years as a sweeping transformation of the Hawthorn mall property in Vernon Hills continues.

Suspect detained in fatal Round Lake Beach shooting

July 24, 2026 at 7:39 a.m.

At a detention hearing Thursday, prosecutors argued Juan U. Lopez-Aguayo, 26, of Round Lake Beach, would pose a threat to the safety of others.

Round Lake Beach shooting victim was reportedly dating suspect’s ex

July 21, 2026 at 1:07 p.m.

Lopez-Aguayo is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

PAWS Chicago is repurposing a 20-acre equestrian center in Hawthorn Woods to Rescue Ranch, a pet adoption and education facility for what will be its flagship location. (Paul Valade/Daily Herald)

PAWS Chicago breaks ground for Rescue Ranch in Hawthorn Woods: ‘Nature is so healing’

July 17, 2026 at 1:57 p.m.

PAWS Chicago Rescue Ranch is a vision of the nonprofit founded 28 years ago with an unwavering commitment to a no-kill policy for homeless dogs and cats.

Libertyville D70 fires teacher accused of child porn possession: ‘Unconscionable breach of trust’

July 15, 2026 at 2:23 p.m.

Acting on the recommendation of Superintendent Rebecca Jenkins, the board voted unanimously to dismiss Marshall Sheffer, an 18-year veteran of the district who taught at Highland Middle School.

Girl, 15, suffers critical injuries in Libertyville e-bike crash

July 15, 2026 at 11:09 a.m.

One girl was transported to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago with life-threatening injuries. The other remained at Condell with injuries not considered life-threatening.

Rob Dalton at the bar of his Four Shadows tavern on July 9, 2026, in the former Bulldogs restaurant building on Main Street in Wauconda. (John Starks/Daly Herald)

Four Shadows sports bar and grill fills Wauconda vacancy: ‘Happy to be here’

July 14, 2026 at 2:43 p.m.

Four Shadows, a sports bar and grill, opened on June 25 as the new spot in town at the corner of Main and Mill streets.

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