The village's annual 'Christmas on the Square' event is set for Dec. 5, complete with holiday caroling and a Santa sighting.

From 2 to 7 p.m. on downtown Huntley's Coral Street, free hayrides will be offered and a Kris Kringle Market will be open to peruse. Children's crafts and holiday story readings will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Old Village Hall, while a library book sale will begin at 1 p.m. in that building.

Carolers will be singing at 4 p.m. on the Square, while Santa's arrival via a fire truck and the annual tree lighting are planned for 4:45 p.m.

From 5 to 7 p.m., families can pose for pictures with Santa in the gazebo.

Free hot cocoa and cookies will be available courtesy of Westlake Community Church, and the Huntley Area Jaycees will promote its holiday coat drive.

Huntley Police launched a new tip line Tuesday to help give residents a new way to provide information anonymously about criminal activity within the village.

When citizens call the tip line, they will be immediately transferred to a voice mailbox where they will be instructed to leave the information that they are reporting. Citizens are asked to be as detailed as possible when leaving any information.

The tip line also can be used for other information, such as the location of wanted persons or suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous if they wish, as Caller ID is not used on this line.

Because the line is answered by voice mail, residents should never use it to report emergencies or in-progress crimes – they should continue to use 9-1-1.

The non-emergency police number should be used for any routine service calls.

The Huntley Police Department Tip Line number is 847-515-5333 and is available 24 hours a day.

For more information, visit www.huntley.il.us/depts/police.asp.

Back by popular demand, the District 158 Education Foundation's Breakfast with Santa will be held Dec. 5 at Marlowe Middle School, 9625 Haligus Road, Lake in the Hills.

This family event, which sold out last year, will have two seatings this holiday season – one from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and another from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Both sessions will feature a continental breakfast, a family picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts, raffles, games and music.

Tickets cost $5 each.

For reservations, e-mail d158foundation@comcast.net or call 847-659-5800.
 
Event proceeds will go to the Foundation, which helps fund programs in the district to enhance education. The Foundation also awards scholarships to District 158 graduating seniors each year.

In the past five years, the Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in grants for classroom projects and programs, and more than $65,000 in scholarships.

The Huntley Area Jaycees will be hosting its second-annual "Wheel of Meat" fundraiser on Nov. 21 to benefit the Grafton Township Food Pantry.

The Wheel will spin from 6 to 9 p.m. at Barley House, located at 1520 S. Randall Road in Algonquin. Raffle items include turkeys, hams, ribs, beef and pork roasts, chickens, seafood, wine, and more.

Other prizes new this year are gym memberships, Buffalo Wild Wings certificates, and Bread for a Year from Panera Bread.

Eight rounds of meat raffles will take place, with the final "losers" round submitting all the non-winning tickets for one last chance at taking home some meat.

Tickets cost $1 each, six for $5, or 15 for $10.

The Huntley Area Jaycees are a not-for-profit organization that advances its mission of community development and donations to children with special needs and families in need.

For more information or to join, visit www.huntleyjaycees.org or call 847-802-9280.

– Amber Krosel

The village of Huntley is cautioning its residents in their response to recent solicitation letters from a company called Home Service.

The company is offering to insure water lines entering residents' homes, according to a news release. However, Home Service is not associated with the village of Huntley, and the village is not sponsoring or encouraging this practice.

Home Service is a private company selling a service, the news release states. It also is rare that a water service line needs the type of repair described in these letters.

For more information, call Huntley Public Works at 847-515-5274.