120MPH off-duty cop defended by FOP

You probably have seen the news articles about the Miama (Fla.) police officer who was heading to his off-duty job at a private school in a Miami squad car and running late. So Ofc. Fausto Lopez decided to step it up a little and was hitting 120MPH when a Florida State Trooper attempted to stop him. The traffic stop has gone viral.

Now the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) is defending Lopez and accusing the trooper of unprofessional conduct. http://www.local10.com/news/Miami-FOP-defends-speeding-officer/-/1717324/4045750/-/154j1w8z/-/index.html

Baloney!!!

The trooper did everything right, except for disarming Lopez sooner. She was right to chase him down. She was right to order him out of the car. She was right to handcuff him and haul him in. Did she have the Miami squad car towed? I hope so!

But where is the "professional courtesy"?

Want to read what cops have to say about "professional courtesy"? Yes, there are a few who believe the trooper did the right thng. Then there are those others, who think she never should have stopped him in the first place.  http://www.policeone.com/news/4562742-Miami-FOP-defends-cop-driving-120-mph/

All things considered, she showed it! She deserves full recognition for running Lopez down and arresting him, and I plan to say so to the Director of the Florida State Police right now!

Want to praise the trooper, too? Contact Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald M. Bailey at 850.410.7000

Bond reduction denied for Tim Smith

Tim Smith was in court Tuesday, seeking a reduction in his $900,000 bond, and Judge Condon denied it.

Smith's public defender made a strong argument in favor of the reduction to the $300-350,000 range, and Smith's father was in court. The prosecutor from the State's Attorney's Office made a strong case for continuation at the $900,000, presenting that Smith had on previous occasions failed to appear (FTA) in court nine times on traffic violations. He stated that he believes Smith could be a flight risk, since he is facing a minimum prison sentence of 45 years, if he is convicted of the most serious charge.

Those FTAs appeared to play a role in Judge Condon's decision.

The elevated security in the courtroom was obvious. There were three court security officers, two corrections officers and two command employees from the Sheriff's Department. Perhaps they were really afraid that Smith might break for the door and attempt an escape. When Smith was escorted into jail, court security didn't even bother to bring him in handcuffs or leg shackles. They just walked him in and then stood back while Judge Condon conducted the hearing.

Smith is accused of first-degree murder, along with some other crimes. He doesn't "look" like a hardened criminal, but what if he had taken a hostage and/or attempted to escape. Could he have taken control of the courtroom?

Most of the court security officers are of some older age; I'll refrain from saying "of advanced age." But they are not in any physical condition to engage in a strenuous confrontation with a violent criminal. Would they, in view of existing levels of physical stamina and strength, resort to shooting and, by doing so, endanger visitors in the courtroom, as well as the judge, clerk, court reporter and attorneys?

The Milliman family was present for the hearing. Attending the hearing were Kurt Milliman's mother, brother, sister, nephew and niece.

Will the truth ever come out about what happened last May on Doty Road?

I did not see Smith's wife in court. Perhaps she was there and I did not recognize her. Had Smith's bond been lowered and then posted, Smith said he would live with a male friend in Marengo. It may be that Smith and his wife, Kimberly, have decided to keep their distance while their cases are pending.

I didn't attempt to speak with Tom Smith after court, but I extend care and compassion to him. I can't imagine the emotional pain that he too must be feeling.

I hope that some semblance of peace can settle with the Millimans and with the Smiths.

Thanks for the memories

Every week I receive phone calls, emails and letters that call my attention to problems at the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. Thanks to each of you for communicating them to me.

I shred the letters and envelopes and I delete the emails and empty the trash, and I also keep my Address Book and Sent file clean of those addresses. I won't be able to write back to you in the future, but I'll post requests here.

The most recent request was for me to keep my eyes open in a particular direction and then communicate my findings to those who can make a difference; i.e., do something about the problems.

Since the Sheriff of a County is an elected official, other elected officials have little control over his actions. Take, for example, the $600,000 wasted on his fight against Zane Seipler. Those with the power to do something about it failed at the last election; 53,000 of them failed. 

I understand the risk to those who contact me. You should not have to fear for your jobs and your benefits. Maybe that will change..... Let's hope.

H.S. junior organizes successful expo/fair

Zach Brokaw, Jana Peppin

Last Sunday a very profession expo and fair was held at Woodstock (Ill.) North High School. It was put together as an Eagle Scout project by Zach Brokaw, a member of the Class of '13 and resident in Wonder Lake. This was as professional an expo and fair as I have attended in any venue, anywhere.

Booths were well-spaced, so that displays were not within elbow-crunching narrow spaces. In addition to the displays, there were demonstrations and hands-on activities for attendees. And a number of high school students were present to man refreshment tables.

Rev. Phyllis Mueller

Pictured to the right is Rev. Phyllis Mueller of McHenry with some of her drums. For information about "Drumming for Health", email her at Parksong.HealthDrum@gmail.com

Zach is a member of a Boy Scout Troop in Wonder Lake, where Mrs. Jana Peppin is one of the Scout leaders. One of her sons is an Eagle Scout, and another son is on his way to completing requirements as an Eagle Scout. To become an Eagle Scout, all requirements must be completed before Age 18.

Many thanks to Zach, all volunteers, the school staff, the vendors who gave up a Sunday and to the families who attended.

Well done, Zach!

Northwest Herald doesn't report Ill. Supreme Court filing

The last time Sheriff Keith Nygren's name shows up in the Northwest Herald from a search is October 20.

According to www.FirstElectricNewspaper.com Zane Seipler says that Nygren filed an appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court involving his termination from the sheriff's department.

FEN said, "Seipler said Illinois Fraternal Order of Police attorney John Roche received notice of the filing Friday." That would have been October 28. That would seem to rate a line or two in the Northwest Herald, don't you think?

So, if the FOP attorney received notice, was it Notice that the appeal would be filed or was it Notice that the appeal had been filed?

Is Nygren's attorney playing with fire by waiting until the last minute to file an appeal?

Will the judges on the Illinois Supreme Court take one look at the appeal, have a good laugh, and kick it out? FEN reports that the Illinois Supreme Court only takes about 5% of the cases submitted. Not very good odds for Nygren. His odds are probably better in the casino nearest to Minocqua.

Lake County deals ...; why?

Today's paper reports a "deal" struck by Sharon Hyde and the Lake County State's Attorney's Office. Hyde was accused of making off with over $100,000 of Island Lake's money while she was director of the Village's Creative Playtime Preschool. She was accused of collecting for hours that she didn't work.

The charges go back to 2009, but Village administrators weren't worried enough about it to remove her from her post. Innocent until proven guilty? Or friends don't let friends do without jobs?

According to the Island Lake mayor, Hyde resigned Friday. That was October 28. Reporter Joe Bustos wrote that the Northwest Herald obtained a copy of Hyde's resignation letter through a FOIA request. Let's see; what's wrong with this picture? If Hyde resigned on Friday and the reporter could write that the paper had her resignation letter already, how did that happen?

Here's the smelly part. Hyde was accused of three counts of theft, three counts of official misconduct and one count of making a false entry.Under the "deal" those seven charges are dropped, and she pled guilty to one charge of Obstruction of Justice, which was filed on Monday!

The paper reported that Hyde was ordered to pay $629 in court costs. What about the $100,000?

And all that took almost 2 1/2 years of investigation and prosecution. Kinda makes you sick, doesn't it?

ISP ranges open, but for deer hunters

The Chicago Tribune reports this morning that the Illinois State Police will soon open firing ranges to the public in five locations around the state.

State police ranges in Joliet, Pawnee, LaSalle, Macomb and Pittsfield will be open Nov. 12 as part of the state's "Open Range" program. State gun experts will be on hand to provide instruction and answer questions about firearms. The ranges will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The program is free, but participants are asked to make reservations.

All participants must have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card and bring their unloaded firearm in a case.
See the Tribune article at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-state-police-to-open-firing-ranges-to-public-20111101,0,2431095.story

There is information on the website of the Illinois State Police at isp.state.il.us  UNFORTUNATELY, this Open Range Program seems to be aimed at the deer-hunting sportsman and not for handgun users. See the I.S.P. for phone numbers; call for reservations and directions.