The following incidents were listed among the official reports of the Buffalo Grove Police Department. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination. Buffalo Grove TRAFFIC Gabriela Rodriguez Mireles, 38, of the 00 block of Quincy, Glenview, was arrested May 16 at the intersection of Aptakisic and Buffalo Grove roads and charged with failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash. She also was cited for driving without a license. ALCOHOL Kennethraj Kanniah, 43, of the 1100 block of Lockwood Drive, Buffalo Grove, was arrested May …

LINCOLNSHIRE — The Vernon Area Public Library closes at 5 p.m. May 21, and will reopen at 9 a.m. this coming Tuesday, May 28, after $1.3 million in remodeling is completed.

A recent Stevenson High School student and current Deerfield resident has been accused of selling heroin and owning numerous firearms, according to a federal complaint unsealed May 21.Dmitriy Melandovich has been charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute. He also is accused of selling 12 grams of heroin and buying five firearms in late April in Buffalo Grove.

KILDEER — A Kildeer resident was recently one of 43 women from around the world to travel to Rwanda to learn about gender-based violence, then tasked with bringing the experience home to “Stop the Violence” in their home countries.

LINCOLNSHIRE — Some 200 members of the Stevenson High School community paid tribute to retiring staff member Dolores Fischer Friday, May 10 as she received the annual Heritage Award for her impact on the school.

BUFFALO GROVE — Here’s one of my pet peeves in this world: you’re enjoying a drive in your car, singing along to 70s songs on Satellite radio when a crazy driver races up behind you at an insanely fast speed, cuts around you and zooms off. And there is no police car in sight to track him down. Meanwhile, on a routine ride home from work on Milwaukee Avenue, or while driving a carpool down Deerfield Parkway, or while driving to a soccer game on Old Checker Road, you happen to tap the gas pedal just a little too hard …

KILDEER — After a seven-week retirement from a 36-year career with the Buffalo Grove Police Department, Steve Balinski began a new chapter of his law enforcement career this week. Balinski was sworn in Tuesday, May 21, as Kildeer’s new chief of police. Nearly all the seats in Village Hall were filled as re-elected Village President Nandi Black and re-elected Trustees Ralph Liberatore, Barbara Stavropoulos and Basel Tarabein also took recited the oath of office. Tarabein joked that he hadn’t seen a crowd that large at a village meeting in years. Balinski was welcomed to Kildeer by both former and new …

A disagreement over the chain of command between Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran and now-former sheriff’s chief Wayne Hunter resulted in Hunter leaving the department late Tuesday afternoon.

Three suburban men, including one from Buffalo Grove, were arrested and charged last week for buying thousands of stolen items and reselling them online and at several Chicago convenience stores. Chicago Police executing search warrants after a six-month investigation found more than 6,300 packs of stolen cigarettes and numerous other stolen products — including cold medications, coffee, soda, and dental whitening strips — May 22 at three businesses on Chicago’s Northwest Side and two suburban homes. Mahmoud Yassin, 60, and his son Yassin Yassin, 18, both of the 15400 block of Hollywood Drive, Chicago, were charged with two counts of …

BUFFALO GROVE — To see Ashley Moran gracefully glide, twirl, then glide again across the ice, it’s difficult to imagine the 14-year-old with the broad smile endured major spinal surgery just 16 months ago. But the Buffalo Grove teen has the X-rays to prove it. A glance at Ashley’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/StandTallForScoliosis, reveals what this feisty, competitive skater has been through, and how she has turned her ordeal into a force for good. One X-ray posted on the page shows the S-shaped curve that scoliosis caused to her spine. Others show post-surgery views, in which two titanium rods affixed with …

BUFFALO GROVE — Kingswood United Methodist Church will host its annual Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, at its historic Knopf Cemetery in Buffalo Grove. Knopf Cemetery dates to the mid-19th century when early settlers in the area set aside land as a Protestant burial ground. The Knopf family, who were among Buffalo Grove’s first residents, contributed the land for the cemetery. Over the years it has been the final resting place of those early settlers and their descendants as well as others from the community. Kingswood United Methodist Church has been the cemetery owner since 1985 …

NORTH BARRINGTON — The rapid growth and popularity of the local, organic food movement is on display in North Barrington resident Carl Alguire’s backyard.

BUFFALO GROVE — Multimedia Sales & Marketing is in the business of getting individuals to work as groups toward a positive goal. “We approach it like a food pantry,” President Tom Hughes said.

The Buffalo Grove Parent Association recently announced the 2013 recipients of its Senior Scholarship Awards. Applicants were judged on their academic standing, co-curricular activities, community involvement/work experience, awards/recognitions, and personal essays. The recipients were recognized on May 20 at the BGHS Principal’s Awards Night. The following students each received a $500 scholarship for their exemplary achievement: Megan Rullo, Jason Stein, Michael Maley, Mary Zawlocki, Kirsten Erickson, Nisa Khan, Graham Kilpatrick, Ryan Wedoff, Catherine Mahon and Kimberly Hirschhorn. …

LINCOLNSHIRE — When the Vernon Area Public Library closed its doors at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 it was the last time patrons got to see a dinosaur, according to Catherine Savage, communications director for the Library District.

“I think my grand opening’s going to last for six months, because that’s how I celebrate my birthdays.”

Thus, the grand opening of Long Grove’s newest art gallery may continue until around Memorial Day, according to its owner, Rachel Perkal. She titled her latest operation Epilogue because of the long story that came before it, and her hopes for the long story — and celebration — that it could create.

“The climate in Long Grove, it’s been a challenging one, but I think it’s one that’s really on the precipice of changing for the good,” Perkal said. “And it’s about ‘How do I want to fit into it?’”

Perkal and her husband, Tobin Fraley, have fit into Long Grove for more than a decade. Fraley opened their first business, the Woodland Grove Gallery, as a 700-square-foot photography and small-scale-art gallery, and in time, three other businesses followed. All four closed earlier this year, but the couple declined to discuss the reasoning.

Perkal, who has been the president of the Long Grove Business and Community Partners board, regrouped with a lease for a 1,200-square-foot building. Inside, she is filling her Epilogue with handmade jewelry, paintings, photography, sculptures, ceramics and more — all created by North American, primarily US, artists. Erin Aschom, who managed Fraley and Perkal’s past businesses, is behind the counter again.

Up front, while wrapping their already-abundant gift orders for the holidays alongside Aschom, Perkal looked over the inventory she selected, and saw herself reflected.

“This is me,” she said. “Which sounds really selfish, but it is me. I’m getting to do things differently.”

Beginning in January, Epilogue’s back room — where Fraley can be found toiling away on his photography service — will also start offering a variety of art classes, each taught by visiting professionals.

And this epilogue might even be a two-parter: Perkal is already thinking about opening a second location in 2015.

“I want to be all about supporting artists,” she said. “Sometimes, the universe starts sending us signals.”

There is an expense that many of you may be facing in the near future, and it is one that has increased at a rate of nearly 500 percent since 1985! This outsize bill is college tuition. For those of you with children in – or recently graduated from – college, you know the impact of this incredible price inflation first-hand. According to InflationData.com, over the past 30 years, college tuition has grown at a rate of nearly 4.5 times that of the overall Consumer Price Index. In fact, in-state tuition for a four year state university now hovers at around $120,000.

So how does one go about saving for such a daunting expenditure? For some suggestions, Help Squad turned to Julie Shechtman, CFP, Financial Planning Specialist, Vice President and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She discusses three options, below.

529 College Savings P`lan
A savings account that allows invested money to grow tax-deferred to fund the education expenses of a child or other family member.
Pros:
- Earnings are exempt from federal income tax. If you deposit $25,000 that grows to $75,000 you don’t pay tax on the $50,000 of appreciation. In Illinois, contributions up to $20,000 for married people can be deducted from state income taxes. If used for qualified education expenses, withdrawals are tax-free.
- Plans are available to everyone, regardless of income. Anyone can be named a beneficiary, and the beneficiary can change at any time.
- 529’s are considered a parent-owned asset – beneficial for financial aid purposes.
- There are generous contribution limits: up to $350,000 in Illinois. Contributions are excluded from your estate and not subject to estate tax.
Cons:
- If beneficiary receives a scholarship, money can be withdrawn up to amount of the scholarship, but tax must be paid on any appreciation. If beneficiary doesn’t attend college, and beneficiary can’t be transferred, tax plus a 10 percent penalty must be paid on appreciation.
- Investment options are not infinite like Coverdell or UTMA/UGMA.
- Money cannot be used for K-12 expenses.

Coverdell Education Savings Account
Formerly known as the Education IRA, Coverdell was created to pay for qualified educational expenses.
Pros:
- Unlimited investment options, and considered a parent-owned asset for financial aid.
- Beneficiary can be changed to an eligible family member.
- Money can be used for K-12 expenses.
Cons:
- Contributions are limited to $2000 per year and there are income limits for who cancontribute.
- Contributions must end when beneficiary turns 18, and all monies must be used by age
30.
- If money is not spent on qualified education expenses, treated the same as 529 plans.

UTMA/UGMA (Uniform Transfer/Gifts to Minors Act) Account
A custodial account opened specifically for the purpose of transferring money or other assets to a minor.
Pros:
- No limit to contributions and money can be spent on anything, as long as it benefits the child.
- No income restrictions on contributions.
Cons:
- Custodianship terminates when minor reaches age of majority (18, 19 or 21, depending on the state), at which point parent loses control of the assets.
- Beneficiary cannot be changed.
- Contributions are irrevocable and non-deductible, and all appreciation is taxable.
- For financial aid purposes, account is considered a student asset, and withdrawals are counted as income.

Need help?
Did a utilities company overcharge you? Did a boutique deny your request for a return? Are you the victim of fraudulent business practices? Is someone just exhibiting bad business behavior? Let Help Squad make the call for you. Send your letters, your complaints, your injustices and your story ideas to HelpSquad@pioneerlocal.com and we will be happy to help you.

Editor’s Note: Julie Shechtman is a Financial Advisor with the Global Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley in Glenview. The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC, or its affiliates.

When Willard Helander decided to run for Lake County Clerk 20 years ago, she did not set out to be the one to help lead the county into the realm of 21^st-century technology.

Turning typewriter expertise into an automated system of preparing marriage licenses is one of the stories Helander told a gathering of more than 80 people who came to honor her service Saturday, Dec. 6, at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.

“We used Microsoft Word to design a program to prepare marriage licenses,” Helander said of her early days in office. “They used to do it by typewriter and it took an hour. Now it takes 12 minutes.”

Marriage licenses were not the only thing Helander adjusted for late 20^th-century technology to make her office run more smoothly. Besides dealing with records, the clerk’s office oversees all elections in Lake County.

Not having the latest computer programs available early in her tenure, she used the Lotus spreadsheet system to develop a system to assign election judges to polling places. She converted the work of six people into the task of two. Then she caught flack.

“When we brought (the county administrator) down here to show him what we had done, he said, ‘you were only supposed to use this to write letters.’” The technology stayed and Helander was reelected four times.

When Helander took the reins in 1994, she decided she wanted to operate the office like a business, emphasizing customer service. What she found was not to her liking.

“If we had been a private business we would have gone out of business,” Helander said. “I told (my staff) no one should be waiting for service. We wanted the office to be like a business that wants every customer to return.”

One person who felt that way is Mark Shaw of Lake Forest. The 10^th Congressional District state central committeeman and West Deerfield Township Republican chairman, Shaw has plenty of reason to utilize the clerk’s services. Since the 10^th District encompasses parts of Lake and Cook counties, he has had the opportunity to compare both clerks’ offices.

“She has an open-door policy,” Shaw said. “When I go in there, people look at me and say ‘what can I do for you.’ They don’t know I’m an elected official or anything else about me. She runs the office like a business that knows what it means to never lose a customer.”

Though Shaw was not critical of Cook County Clerk David Orr, he lauded Helander’s use of her official website to assist voters and candidates.

“She was the first to go interactive,” Shaw said. “Everything you need is there and you can link to other counties’ websites.”

Helander credits the implementation of technology with enabling her office to maintain its level of service and number of employees while the election laws became more complex. She was critical of both the motor-voter law as well as same-day registration, which was implemented this year.

“Technology has helped us keep up with the laws,” Helander said. She also believes that will be her legacy to Carla Wyckoff of Lake Forest, who succeeded her this month.

Wyckoff already knows people working in the office. As an assistant Lake County state’s attorney for 20 years, Wyckoff spent 16 of them in the civil division representing the clerk’s office.

“I’m comfortable with the office and the people,” Wyckoff said. “She (Helander) has already done a good job with the web providing good service.” She does not see immediate changes.

There are some things Helander will not miss. She had to develop thick skin over the years to live with the things political opponents said about her.

“There are people who will lie and say anything to get elected,” Helander said. “If I believed what was said, I would be the kind of person who would eat my own children for breakfast.”

Helander plans to spend time volunteering, particularly with the CS Lewis Institute. There will also be plenty of time left over for travel as well as visits with children and grandchildren.

“I’m going to do something that is positive,” Helander said.

BUFFALO GROVE

1001 Brentwood Cir, Buffalo Grove 60089-9120: Najdowski Trust sold the property to Patrick Dembski for $167,000 on November 21

1049 Aspen Dr, Buffalo Grove 60089-1317: John Donggook Roh sold the property to Dmitry Pasikhov & Alla Pasikhov for $225,000 on November 14

1137 Bristol Ln, Buffalo Grove 60089-1270: Jesse Shim sold the property to Danny D Kim & Shirley H Kim for $265,000 on November 18

129 Pauline Ave, Buffalo Grove 60089-6720: Neil A Boldus sold the property to Dilip Kumar Puranam & Satya Durga Lavanya Krovi for $237,500 on November 17

1803 Brandywyn Ln, Buffalo Grove 60089-6692: Mas Investment Group Llc sold the property to David Brandt & Carlie Brandt for $600,000 on November 17

2 W Beechwood Ct, Buffalo Grove 60089-3209: Neder Capital Services Llc sold the property to Richard B Jarrow for $270,000 on November 20

2099 Jordan Ter, Buffalo Grove 60089-4645: Bruce D Greenberg sold the property to Jeremy Greenspan & Sarah Greenspan for $675,000 on November 21

2351 Apple Hill Ln, Buffalo Grove 60089-4653: David R Ripes sold the property to Shubhankar Chowdhury & Luna Guha for $490,000 on November 17

3 Oak Creek Dr 1406, Buffalo Grove 60089-3761: Nikolay Kroupsky sold the property to Mary C Glowiak & Michael S Garstki for $72,500 on November 25

434 Regent Dr, Buffalo Grove 60089-3205: Sam Rapaport sold the property to Svetlana Son for $356,000 on November 21

439 Town Place Cir, Buffalo Grove 60089-6715: Charulata R Patel sold the property to Yenny Wiratna Ng for $250,000 on November 17

760 Weidner Rd 305, Buffalo Grove 60089-4738: Pietro Catalano sold the property to Alicja Jemiola for $124,000 on November 20

80 Circle Dr, Buffalo Grove 60089-1707: Thomas R Ranney sold the property to Chekit Mehta & Mansi Mehta for $384,000 on November 17

831 Westbourne Ln, Buffalo Grove 60089-1637: Norma Depalma sold the property to Jonathan A Weisbach & Alyssa A Weisbach for $307,500 on November 18

921 Old Checker Rd, Buffalo Grove 60089-1647: Larry Motzel sold the property to Derek J Zakowski & Allison M Zakowski for $355,000 on November 20

LINCOLNSHIRE

2 Preston Ct, Lincolnshire 60069: Ibg Lincolnshire Forest Llc sold the property to Jack M Brown & Julie A Brown for $300,000 on November 17

29 Victoria Ln, Lincolnshire 60069-3908: Regen D 4 U Llc sold the property to Alby Antoo & Elizabeth Antoo for $751,000 on November 17

4 Beaconsfield Ct, Lincolnshire 60069-2905: Richard M Kim sold the property to Debra A Sullo for $401,000 on November 18

4 Preston Ct, Lincolnshire 60069: Ibg Lincolnshire Forest Llc sold the property to Eric R Tapia & Cristina M Lopez for $350,000 on November 17

70 Hickory Ln, Lincolnshire 60069-3122: Sharon P Deram sold the property to Steven J Lieberman & Cassandra N Lieberman for $474,500 on November 17

835 Suffield Sq, Lincolnshire 60069-3433: Lorie L Wilson sold the property to Ashraf Madian & Basma Ibrahim for $252,000 on November 20

PALATINE

1030 N Claremont Dr, Palatine 60074-4000: Cheryl Fears sold the property to Zachary Hagopian for $225,000 on November 17

1063 N Auburn Woods Dr, Palatine 60067-9600: Us Bank Na Trustee sold the property to Kenneth F Civik & Kathleen C Civik for $301,000 on November 19

1106 S Plum Tree Ln, Palatine 60067-7012: Us Bank Na Trustee sold the property to Lisa M Lisfetranoff & Kyle Petranoff for $300,000 on November 19

114 Bent Creek Ct, Palatine 60067-9018: Norbert S Flowers sold the property to Christopher C Naatz & Jonna A Naatz for $199,000 on November 19

1155 N Sterling Ave 101, Palatine 60067-8455: Citibank Na Trustee sold the property to Hussein Alayan for $65,000 on November 25

120 N Rose St, Palatine 60067-7834: Sfhs Chicago Llc sold the property to John R Gerberich & Patricia N Gerberich for $227,500 on November 21

1254 N Ashland Ave, Palatine 60074-7006: Rita S Fill sold the property to Kevin Dolan & Margaret Dolan for $158,000 on November 17

1281 S Falcon Dr, Palatine 60067-2387: Peter Wojtkiewicz sold the property to Yusaku Yamada for $432,500 on November 19

1316 N Park Ave, Palatine 60067-1854: K Hovnanian T&c Homes At Ill sold the property to Matthew P Ripke & Kimberly P Ripke for $529,000 on November 18

1338 N Shadow Lake Ter 2 18, Palatine 60074-1728: Bin Chen sold the property to Edgar Luciano & Irma Y Contreras Rodriguez for $143,000 on November 18

1365 E Evergreen Dr 3, Palatine 60074-9300: Bradford J Richards sold the property to Greg Marsh for $122,000 on November 20

1390 W Hill St, Palatine 60067-1836: K Hovnanian Tc Homes At Ill sold the property to Gregory Urbaniak & Jennfier Urbaniak for $499,500 on November 21

146 N Brockway St, Palatine 60067-0417: James E Hack sold the property to Theofani K Rokkas for $268,500 on November 19

1548 N Broadmoor Ct, Palatine 60067-2481: Matthew Kay sold the property to Trudy Hoyer for $149,000 on November 21

190 W Johnson St 308, Palatine 60067-6156: Anthony J Moratti sold the property to David Kent Johnston for $240,000 on November 24

24 S Stonington Dr, Palatine 60074-6475: Matthew Giovannini sold the property to Myriam E Smith for $185,000 on November 18

256 W Golfview Ter, Palatine 60067-2464: Christopher Orth sold the property to Jonathan Speir & Whitney Speir for $190,000 on November 17

30 E Preserve Dr, Palatine 60074-1156: Lexington Hills Llc sold the property to Amy M Bulger for $300,000 on November 17

34 E Preserve Dr, Palatine 60074-1156: Lexington Hills Llc sold the property to Ravi K Pillalamarri & Indria S Yanambaka for $327,500 on November 18

371 S Quentin Rd, Palatine 60067-5944: Rego Development & Real Gr sold the property to Hesham Naim & Sarah Naim for $125,000 on November 18

421 W Creekwood Dr, Palatine 60074-1027: Perry A Patenaude sold the property to Monika Giba for $154,500 on November 25

487 N Geri Ct, Palatine 60067-2322: Marcin Grzywaczewski sold the property to Maria Konior for $189,000 on November 19

511 N Greenwood Dr, Palatine 60074-3807: Nancy Perez sold the property to Michael S Coyne for $280,000 on November 24

60 S Stonington Dr, Palatine 60074-6801: Katherine A Landeck sold the property to Kristin A Masi & Peter Rothbart for $160,000 on November 19

618 E Whispering Oaks Ct 618, Palatine 60074-2362: George Karpiesiuk sold the property to Tim Spies for $108,000 on November 19

727 S Spring Willow Bay, Palatine 60067-6650: Neal Farella sold the property to Peter T Caminiti & Megan E Caminiti for $557,500 on November 19

930 W Peregrine Dr, Palatine 60067-7071: Harold C Gohl sold the property to Alex Mathew & Ling Tien Chung for $350,000 on November 20

WHEELING

100 Prairie Park Dr 508, Wheeling 60090-2723: Lauren Zisman sold the property to Dmitriy Gindush for $247,000 on November 18

1048 Harbour Ct 1b, Wheeling 60090-5435: Jason E King sold the property to Thomas L Martin for $148,000 on November 18

1056 Creekside Ct 2bl, Wheeling 60090-5421: Thomas P Johnston sold the property to Kenneth Fullerton for $130,000 on November 18

1225 Quincy Ct, Wheeling 60090-2317: Deutcshe Bank Natl Trt Co Ttee sold the property to Dipak Parikh & Sumitra Parikh for $77,000 on November 17

1331 Zee Ct 76d, Wheeling 60090-2242: Bank Of New York Mellon Ttee sold the property to Xuepiao Wang for $71,500 on November 17

142 W Jeffery Ave, Wheeling 60090-4820: Sung Min Kim sold the property to Yonhung Yu for $130,000 on November 21

1450 Sandpebble Dr 111, Wheeling 60090-5999: Yuriy Ratner sold the property to Corneliu Cioara & Eveline Cioara for $90,000 on November 18

197 Lucerne Ct, Wheeling 60090-6744: Takeshi Komatani sold the property to Aaron A Wojcik for $237,000 on November 21

202 Cindy Ln, Wheeling 60090-4604: Julie Kovarik sold the property to Jesus P Olvena & Elizabeth R Olvena for $135,000 on November 18

343 Fletcher Dr, Wheeling 60090-4541: Lynn E Leibforth sold the property to Cristian Montoya & Apolinar Montoya for $180,000 on November 18

350 Plum Creek Dr 412, Wheeling 60090-6345: Patrick M Dudzinski sold the property to Maria Adam for $88,000 on November 17

375 Plum Creek Dr 312 2, Wheeling 60090-6394: Jay Steven Shapiro sold the property to Gennadiy Belomoin for $92,500 on November 25

403 Ferne Dr, Wheeling 60090-6213: Farhan Alimohammed sold the property to Harrison Yuan for $154,500 on November 17

410 Walnut Ave, Wheeling 60090-5034: S&l Construction & Management sold the property to Christian A Leszka & Sarah M Leszka for $325,000 on November 21

60 Wille Ave, Wheeling 60090-3190: James Clesceri sold the property to Christopher C Doran for $175,000 on November 18

757 Harms Ct 54d, Wheeling 60090-2234: Dynamic Plus Inc sold the property to Jose Rodriguez for $106,000 on November 17

794 River Walk Dr, Wheeling 60090-6391: Vladimir Azaryan sold the property to Brian J Stadtman for $199,000 on November 19

Real Estate data provided by Record Information Services, Inc. www.public-record.com. Inquires may be sent to info@public-record.com or call 630-557-1000

A woman armed with a handgun robbed a bank in downtown Libertyville late Monday morning and made off with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

According to a description from the Libertyville Police Department, a dark-skinned black woman in her late 30s wearing dark clothing with a colorful scarf walked into the Harris Bank at 11:23 a.m. and handed a teller a note demanding money.

Then she displayed the firearm, police said. After taking the money, police said she fled in an unknown direction.

There were no injuries.

Officers, who responded about five minutes after the robbery, canvassed the downtown business district around 354 N. Milwaukee Ave. to interview potential witnesses, police said.

The suspect description also noted she was wearing a grey jacket and grey hoodie with dark pants, black and white tennis shoes, and a multi-colored scarf. The gun was described as a small silver handgun.

Libertyville Police detectives are investigating with FBI agents. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Libertyville Police at (847) 362-8310 or the FBI at (312) 421-6700.