LAKE IN THE HILLS – Village workers are scheduled to replace the storm sewer pipe on Friday that runs underneath Indian Trail Road at Meadow Lane, according to a news release.

To replace the pipe, the village plans to close Indian Trail Road from Meadow Lane to Woodland Road from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m so the crew can perform the work.

People with questions should call the village at 847-960-7500 or go to www.lith.org for updated information.

- Northwest Herald

Lake in the Hills Elementary School will hold an open house from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday to celebrate the school's 50th anniversary.

The event will include memorabilia including old yearbooks and newspaper articles about the school. There also will be videos of activities from over the years, said Principal Tammy Poole.

A time capsule from 10 years ago will be opened, and new one will be stored away.

The school's 511 students also used their handprints to create a "50," on a large canvas, Poole said.

"It really is beautiful," Poole said.

People also will be able to take tours of the building and view the different changes from over the years, which includes the addition of Smart Boards, Poole said.

"It's going to look different," Poole said.

The event is free and open to the pubic. Lake in the Hills Elementary School is at 519 Willow St.

- Joseph Bustos

The Lake in the Hills Public Works Department has scheduled system-wide hydrant flushing for this week and next week.

Areas west of Randall Road will have hydrant flushing this week. All remaining areas east of Randall Road will have hydrant flushing the week of April 22. All flushing is scheduled to be completed by April 26, the village said in a news release. Hydrant flushing is not expected to take place on weekends or after 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Hydrant flushing is meant to improve water quality throughout the village. Signs will be posted at the main entrance of subdivisions at least 12 hours prior to flushing and be removed when work in the subdivision is complete.

The village recommends that residents refrain from doing laundry during times in which flushing occurs in their subdivision.

The village will conduct prescribed burns on Thursday at the Sierra Court detention area at the intersection of Algonquin Road and Pyott Road and at the Joseph Court detention area adjacent to Joseph Court in the village.

On Friday a prescribed burn is scheduled at the Frank Road detention area south of Miller Road on Frank Road.

Encap Inc. will perform the prescribed burns as part of scheduled maintenance of the natural areas.

Prescribed burns are an efficient and economical tool that reduces the amount of pesticides needed to control invasive plants, the village said in a news release. Fire helps to promote species diversity by controlling invasive woody shrubs and trees. Without fire, natural areas often become thickets of shrubs or weeds. Fire burns off dead vegetation and stimulates new plant growth by allowing sunlight to warm the dark soil, encouraging germination. Fire also enriches the soil by returning nutrients back to the soil.

During the burns, the village asks that residents keep pets inside, although workers will make every effort to prevent drifting smoke. The village recommends residents keep windows closed. Depending on
weather conditions, the prescribed burns may be rescheduled to next week. People with questions regarding the prescribed burns, should call the Village of Lake in the Hills at 847-960-7500.

- Northwest Herald

The village has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, according to a news release.

The award is for the comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on Dec. 31, 2011. The certificate of achievement is the highest recognition for governmental accounting and financial reporting.

The village also has received the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2012 fiscal year. Only a handful of communities receive both distinctions in the same year, the village said in a news release.

Lake in the Hills is the only McHenry County municipality to receive both awards in the last 13 years, the village said.

- Northwest Herald