I know it may seem as though I’ve been writing a lot about crime in the North Shore.  While that may be true, it’s also true that these things are happening in the area and residents need to know the information.

In 1998, a Glenview businessman was accused of the murder of a national polic chief.  He is being held for possible extradition to Poland as well.  He remains in custody until a judge makes the decision of whether or not to release him on bail.

Edward Mazur, 60, is to face trial in the slaying of Marek Papala in Warsaw, and federal prosecutors are seeking to extradite him.  His attorney and family argued he should be freed from custody, the prosecutors argued the opposite.  The judge in the case says he will issue a written opinion before Nov. 29.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys is residing on the case.

If Mazur is released, it is pending until a full extradition hearing.

His wife, Anna, testified that even though he has known he was a suspect, he has done nothing to flee.  Polish authorities say they have hard evidence that links Edward Mazur to organized crime figures and allege he solicited the kililng for $40,000, according to the Chicago Tribune.  He was arrested at his home last month.  According to his wife, he is an honest, wealthy businessman, investor and philanthropist.  He has made $20 million on the sale of his share of a yogurt business, and does have Swiss bank accounts.  An interesting case, indeed.  I’m not so sure if an “honest, wealthy businessman” even exists in this world.

Technorati Tags: Glenview, Warsaw, Poland, Chicago Tribune

Yesterday, Libertyville police claimed the death of the recent Deerfield High School student was related to drugs. The all-state swimmer, who graduated earlier this year, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head on Nov. 7.

Police suspect the tragic death was in relation to a drug deal gone wrong.

Clifford Powers, 18, was issued an arrest warrant for a first-degree murder charge, issued MOnday. Powers’ last known address was in Libertyville, on the 17300 block of Casey Road.

Police found the body of Bernard Soya, 18, in a rented SUV parked behind the 1000 block of East Park Avenue. He was a well-liked, disciplined athlete according to school officials at Deerfield High. He was a member of the Deerfield swimming team for four years. This is the first Libertyville homocide since Dec. 16, 2001. At that time, police found Indre Garbauskaite strangled in her apartment on West Park Avenue.

If you have any information leading to the arrest of Clifford Powers, please report it to the Lake County Major Crime Task Force at 847-377-4178 or the Libertyville Police Department at 847-362-8310.

Technorati Tags: Deerfield, Libertyville, Lake County Major Crime Task Force, Libertyville Police Department, Deerfield High School

A few weeks ago, Lynn Romanek began a campaign to save the environment. Her efforts have paved their way to Winnetka’s New Trier high school as well as synagogues, cleaners and other schools. These places have generously helped her out by putting up signs that state her idea: Motorists - turn off your engines while waiting. After watching Al Gore’s, “An Inconvenient Truth”, Romanek was inspired by the little things that ordinary people can do to make a difference. In these efforts, we can stop global warming by cutting fuel emissions and greenhouse gas emissions. New Trier Superintendent Linda Yonke has helped Romanek by placing signs around the campus. The idea of turning off your engine while idling may sound ridiculous, but it really can make a difference.

Technorati Tags: Lynn Romanek, Winnetka, New Trier High School, Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth