The McHenry Public Library will open at 1 p.m. Friday because of a morning staff in-service session.

The drive-up book drop will be available during the closing, and the library website is always available to renew items, manage accounts, register for programs and do research.

At the in-service, staff will learn about three new online research resources – Health and Wellness Resource Center and Alternative Health, Health Reference Center, and Job and Career Accelerator – all of which are available in the library and remotely, too, with a library card number.

Staff also learn about a new service that will soon be offered to patrons – free online access to popular magazines in digital format through the library's website.

For information, stop by the library at 809 N. Front St. (Route 31) in McHenry, visit www.mchenrylibrary.org or call 815-385-0036.

McHENRY –  Landmark School, Elementary School District 15’s year-round school, is hosting its parent information night at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the gym of the school at 3614 W. Waukegan Road.

All parents of students in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to attend to learn more about the program, meet current Landmark staff and families, and take a tour of the classrooms.
 
Landmark will begin its 11th year as an open enrollment school of choice for families who live in District 15.

For information about this evening or the program, call the Landmark office at 815-385-8120.

– Joseph Bustos

Surveillance photo from the robbery at Illinois State Bank. (Photo provided)

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McHenry Police released surveillance photos from two recent bank robberies in town, in hopes it will help the department identify possible suspects.

On Dec. 30, a man, with his face covered with a bandanna, showed a silver handgun and ordered employees at Illinois State Bank to give him money. He left the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The man is described as white, 6 feet to 6 feet 3 inches tall, with a slender build. He was wearing a black knit hat, black leather jacket, and faded blue jeans, police said.

The Dec. 23 robbery at Home State Bank was believed to be done by a white man, described as between 25 and 35 years old, police said.

The offender was described as being 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall with a thin build.

He was wearing a dark-colored hat, a dark blue winter jacket, blue jeans and white shoes.

Anyone with information about these crimes is encouraged to call the McHenry City Police Department at 815-363-2200.

Anyone wishing to pass along anonymous information is asked to call the McHenry City Police Tip Line at 815-363-2124, or the McHenry County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-762-STOP (7867).

Callers using Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the offender(s).

- Joseph Bustos

McHENRY – There will be a bone marrow registry drive on Saturday at the McHenry Public Library.

People will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire and have a cheek swab. The process takes about 10 minutes, said Jill Cramer, who is organizing the registry drive.

Participants need to be between 18 and 60 years old.

The bone marrow registry helps people who may need a bone marrow transplant find a matching donor.

Cramer is holding the drive in honor of her cousin who died 3.5 years ago while in need of a bone marrow transplant.

If people are unable to come to the bone marrow registry drive, they can register at www.bethematch.org.

The drive will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the McHenry Library in the east meeting room at 809 N. Front St.

- Joseph Bustos

The McHenry American Legion Post 491 will host its annual USO Dance fundraiser on Saturday.
 
The fundraiser will be at the McHenry VFW at 3002 W. Route 120. The McHenry High School Jazz Band will perform music by Glenn Miller and Bing Cosby, as well as Christmas music.

Tickets are $10.00 each and are available at the VFW and the day of the event. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the band starts at 7 p.m.

- Joseph Bustos