A new station in Ridgefield is just one of several planned improvements Metra is working on.

Here are some more details on the $507 million project from Michael Gillis of Metra Media Relations: The Northwest Line project will add two new coach yard facilities in Woodstock and Johnsburg to permit more train capacity and expanded service.

The project includes three new stations to serve the communities of Prairie Grove, Ridgefield, and Johnsburg. To serve facilities in Johnsburg, the McHenry branch of the Northwest Line will be extended 1.6 miles.

The project will also upgrade the signal system to increase service, reduce travel times, and allow additional operational flexibility.

Station and parking improvements are planned to accommodate increased ridership, and additional rolling stock will be procured to add capacity and increase service on the line.

McHenry County College's growth is leading a statewide trend in community college enrollment.

“The surge in enrollment we have experienced this fall is in part due to the MCC Promise, but also due to current economic conditions and rising costs of higher education nationwide," said interim President Kathleen Plinske. "We have seen not only a significant increase in new students directly from our high schools, but also an increase in returning adult students. MCC is certainly the highest quality and most affordable option for higher education in our county."

MCC had the highest increase in credit enrollment statewide, and the second-highest increase in credit headcount. Headcount enrollment is the number of students who have paid fees and registered for classes, while full-time equivalency credit enrollment refers to the number of students taking a full class load – 15 hours.

MCC’s total headcount including adult education was 6,811 – a 26.7 percent increase from last year, according to records. The credit enrollment stands at 4,222, a 29.4 percent increase.

According to the Illinois Community College Board, full-time equivalency fall enrollments reached an all-time high of 223,353, an increase of 9.5 percent from the fall 2008 semester. The ICCB began collecting statewide enrollment information in 1965.

Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly tried to hit a restaurant employee with pepper spray in the parking lot after being denied service Sunday.

Shortly before 9 p.m. the man was removed from Tquilas Restaurant, 5417 South Route 31. In the parking lot, the suspect allegedly discharged what is believed to be pepper spray at an employee, Crystal Lake Police Staff Sgt. Derek Hyrkas said.

A 39-year-old woman accidentally walked through the mist and complained of a burning sensation in her eyes. She was treated on the scene by Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and released.

Police are searching for the suspect, who fled in a tan, late-model Dodge Intrepid.

The man, described as a tall Hispanic in his mid- to late 40s with a normal build, had curly, black hair and wore dark clothing.

Crystal Lake police are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact the department at 815-356-3620 or CrimeStoppers at 800-762-7867 for those who wish to remain anonymous. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of any individual.

Planners of the inaugural Run and Roll for the Dole duathalon hope to raise $10,000 for the Lakeside Legacy Foundation and Dole Mansion.

The event will feature a 2-mile run and 12.4-mile bike ride followed by another 2-mile run. The race begins and ends at the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road. It is scheduled for 8 a.m. Oct. 18.

The duathalon is open to individuals and teams of two. All participants must be 18 or older. Registration for the event is $45 for individuals and $65 for teams and is due by Monday. However, race-day registration also is available, said Erin McElroy, advancement coordinator at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park.

Race registration is tax deductible.

“We’re telling everyone to enrich your soul at the Dole,” she said. “We hope people will come out and support friends and family and enjoy all we have to offer.”

More than 75 people already have registered for the event. Organizers want to see 200 runners and bikers turn out.

Volunteers and sponsors also are welcome, McElroy said.

For information or to register, visit www.lake sidelegacy.org or www.signmeup.com/66545.

Jameson’s Original Charhouse is coming to Crystal Lake, moving into the Route 14 location previously occupied by Bennigan’s Grill Tavern.

Jameson's signed a lease for the at 5016 Northwest Highway. after about two months of negotiations, broker John Kare said. The steakhouse has locations in Bloomingdale, Mt. Prospect and Woodridge.

“It’s right on a main road where the action is, with all the commercial activity in Crystal Lake,” Kare said.

The restaurant features steak, chops and ribs along with seafood, chicken, pasta and burgers. Its signature is a 28-ounce black Angus bone-in ribeye steak.

Kare said there was no immediate timetable for opening, saying the owners needed to get a look at the remodeling job first, but that the owners would push to open in the next two months before the holiday season.

Bennigan’s closed its Crystal Lake restaurant in July 2008, a month before the company declared bankruptcy.

– Chris Freeman