A new unified watershed plan for the Fish Lake and Squaw Creek watersheds will be developed to recommend actions that reduce flood damage, improve water quality and improve the natural drainage system in those areas. Most of the funding for the plan will be provided through a $199,800 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and other local units of government. 

As of Feb. 24, we had approximately a foot of snow pack on average across Lake County.  With temperatures expected to reach into the mid-30s and 40s over the next ten days, we can expect to see the snow and ice begin to melt away. This can lead to flooding around your home. Fortunately, there a few things you can do now to take precautions.

• Inspect your foundation and seal any cracks to prevent water seeping indoors
• Clear snow piles away from your foundation
• Check your sump pump to make sure it’s working
• If possible, clear storm sewer inlets near your house to prevent ponding and facilitate melt water run-off

Your help is needed at COVID-19 vaccination clinics. While those with medical training are needed to serve as vaccinators and wellness-check observers, there are many roles available for volunteers that don’t require medical knowledge. 

The Lake County Health Department continues to vaccinate individuals in Phase 1a and Phase 1b, including healthcare workers, seniors age 65 and over and frontline essential workers, at its mass vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds. If you are registered in the Allvax system, you will receive an email (or a phone call for those who don’t have email) when a vaccine is available for you to schedule an appointment. Please be patient, as there are approximately 200,000 people registered in Allvax in Phase 1b, and vaccine supply continues to be limited. 

The Northern Illinois Food Bank maintains a list of mobile food pantries and pop-up food markets planned for Lake County. Families in need of food are invited to attend any of the markets to receive free groceries. No ID or registration is required. For a complete calendar, visit solve hunger today. 

If you need help finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, call 211 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. To receive general COVID-19 information via text message, text "COVID19" to 211211. For more information, visit www.211lakecounty.org.    

Lake County Public Works (LCPW) will be rehabilitating the 400,000 gallon water tower in the Prairie Pointe subdivision in Round Lake this spring, including painting and drainage improvements. While work is underway, residents will notice a containment curtain being installed, and there may be temporary daytime lane closures on North Barberry Court. Residents should expect some minor construction traffic and noise. There will be no interruption to water service. Learn more on the project website. 

Interested to know the amount of water you used this month? Lake County Public Works customers can monitor their water usage with the water meter customer portal. You can even sign up to get a text if the usage is going above your set level. This has helped alert customers of unknown water leaks and other issues. Watch the video or read the press release to learn more.

According to the Centers for Disearse Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Caring for your heart through a healthy diet and regular physical activity is the best way to prevent heart disease. It is also important to see your primary care physician every year, so you are aware of your risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol level, and weight.  

The Bess Bower Dunn Museum, operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves, launched its first virtual exhibition, "Our Voice is Black History: Past, Present, Future." It will run through Oct. 31. The exhibition and related programming are sponsored by the Preservation Foundation, the charitable partner of the Lake County Forest Preserves, with additional support provided by College of Lake County (CLC), and USG. The exhibition will be open for in-person viewing at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville starting July 3. 

Get ready for the spring gardening season with a new Virtual Program: Native Gardeners Club–Ready, Set, Grow. Whether you’re new to native plant gardening or have a seasoned green thumb, everyone is welcome. The monthly program is designed to teach about native plants and how to use them in your home landscapes. 

We often address ecosystem restoration. Have you wondered what steps go into the decision-making process to restore a natural area? "The intensity and frequency of restoration work required depends upon where along a spectrum a particular natural area starts," says Pati Vitt, manager of restoration ecology at the Lake County Forest Preserves. "Generally, the more altered the landscape and the more human activity present there, the more intervention is needed." 

Support Lake County’s local restaurants! Lake County’s Restaurant Rally, sponsored by Visit Lake County, will run from Feb. 26 to March 7. Check out the delicious cuisine and beverages created by our local restaurants, bars, distilleries, breweries and wineries.  Learn more    

All Lake County board and committee meetings are continuing to be conducted remotely. Meetings are live-streamed at lakecounty.tv and on cable television (Comcast channels 18 or 30, depending on where you live, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99). The public is also welcome to view the livestream of all meetings in-person at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, 10th Floor Assembly Room.