February 01st, 2014

    Potholes occur when water within the road base or pavement freezes, expands, lifts up the pavement, and then thaws out, leading to pavement collapsing which leaves a hole in the road. Then, when it snows again, snowplows can do even more damage. With each freeze/thaw cycle that happens, all the more potholes occur. And everyone knows we have had enough deep freezes and snow this winter! Roads which have been recently resurfaced fare much better, whereas older roads take the biggest hit. 
   So with March around the corner, when the hints of spring come around - like snow melting, 40+ degree days, and the appearance of birds and plants - there will also be plenty of potholes! We'll just have to take the good with the bad. I know I am ready for this winter to end, and for spring to start! 

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   ♦ A Lake Villa police officer was responding to an accident January 19th, when he got in a mishap himself. 34-year-old Alex Tapia-Aguilar, of Round Lake, was traveling the wrong way on a one-way road when he crashed head-on with the squad car. Even though the cars were totaled, both drivers had only minor injuries. But that was the least of Tapia-Aguilar's worries. He was charged with 2 counts of DUI, 2 counts of aggravated DUI, and criminal damage to state-supported property. He had no valid driver's license, and no insurance. He also was charged with speeding and... don't forget... improper lane usage. He's in a mess that he made by himself! Now he's got a one-way ticket to jail. I'm sure glad he is off the road!

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